attracting doormouse, hedgehogs etc to the garden

leon-b · #1 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 03:14 PM

Hi guys i have started making my small garden more wildlife freindly, so far ive put up two nest boxes in the conifers, built a pond, planted some plants, we already have a lavender and buddliea and now i am trying to attract the mice and hedgehogs. any tips ? we have a shed which they can go under.
help me please
thanks leon

Kymba · #2 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 03:38 PM

WOOD PILE: Hedgehogs might build a nest underneath and, if left undisturbed for some time, algae and mosses will cover it, attracting insects. They will, in turn, be fed on by larger garden creatures. The dark interior may also encourage slow worms (another predator of the slug) to seek shelter.
Hedgehog boxes should be sited in a quiet spot hidden by ground covering plants.

Kayleigh · #3 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 04:26 PM

Hi Leon, I got some chopped wood from a garden centre that is sold for coal fires and made a log pile with them. I put a seed tray upside down with a couple of bricks under it then put twigs on top of it so it is hidden from veiw I put this at the back of some shrubs and wedged it next to the fence. The Toads like it and we have wood mice but not doormice. I put some tarpaulin at the back of the shed then piled lots of twigs on top of it we now get hedgehogs nesting there. Have you got room for a compost bin in a corner as they attract lots of wildlife and you can put all your veg waste there instead of in the bin.

Where are the picks of the pond?? I can't wait to see them.

leon-b · #4 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 04:28 PM

i have a little woodpile and have lots of wood so will make it a bit bigger now, like the tray idea will give that a go aswell, pics of pond will be up late
leon

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leon-b

i have a little woodpile and have lots of wood so will make it a bit bigger now, like the tray idea will give that a go aswell, pics of pond will be up late
leon

Any thick plastic at the back of the shed would do to keep the wet out and give shelter to little animals. The frogs and toads also like thick undergrowth like ferns, hostas, Vinca, and shrubs from the pond so there is cover for them to hide when they leave the pond. Our toads use the seed tray when they leave the pond. If you get the habitat they like you will get them to choose your garden to live in. We had frogs, newts and toads in the garden before we got the pond so they just moved in to breed there.

leon-b · #6 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 05:09 PM

i have just added a bit more wood to the wood[ile and have added a bucket and a toy box propped up so they can nest under there
leon

leon-b · #7 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 05:24 PM

I am sleeping put in my garden tonight in my hammock, i live in a large village in suffolk and my garden is small and surrounded by 5 foot fences, should i expect to see anything ? if so what
thanks leon

Kayleigh · #8 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 05:33 PM

You may see a hedgehog or hear one as they are quite loud as they snort. You may get a frog plopping into the pond. When its all dark get a torch and shine it around the garden and into the pond you may see something in there. Have you got any dog or cat food or dried fruit to put out or just some bird seed as hogs eat my bird seeds.

leon-b · #9 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 05:53 PM

i have bird seed and dry dog food, is this ok ? do i just spread it all over the garden ?
what noises should i listen out for ? what time do you reccomend i shine the torch or do i just do it randomly ?
leon

Kayleigh · #10 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 06:50 PM

I wouldn't use dry dog food as this can swell in their stomach. Just put a pile of seed near the bird feeder the birds will eat what is left. The hogs make a sort of sniffing snorting noise and later in the season they grunt I think its a mating thing. Shine the torch about into the pond about 10pm ish. Listen out for any noise then shine the torch if you hear anything..