Hedgehogs in Britain have declined rapidly in the last 20 years, with some estimates suggesting numbers have dropped by 75 per cent.
The spiky creatures’ habitat is being decimated by new housing developments and the expansion of towns and cities.
New figures reveal that a quarter of Britons have never seen a hedgehog in the wild, rising to 40 per cent of those aged between 18 to 34.
In the 2,000-person poll by MyBuilder.com, just over 60 per cent of Britons said they had noticed a decline in hedgehog numbers where they live.
Sharon Jacobs, head vet nurse at free wildlife hospital Tiggywinkles, says ‘habitat fragmentation, road deaths and the loss of insect-rich environments’ had all contributed to the demise of the hedgehog across Britain.’
The good news is that are things people can do to create a welcoming environment for hedgehogs in their own gardens, helping the species to thrive.
Tiggywinkles has these five tips to take to encourage hedgehogs to your garden.
Help the hedgehog: There are steps you can take to make them feel at home in your garden
1. Create ‘hedgehog highways’
Hedgehogs roam up to 2kilometres per night in search of food, mates and nesting sites. Solid fencing can trap them in, or out, of a crucial habitat.
To make life easier for hedgehogs, cut small holes 13cm by 13cm at the base of your fence or wall to allow hedgehogs to pass through.
Co-ordinate with your neighbours to link gardens and create a network of safe corridors.
Hedgehog highways are essential to supporting urban and suburban hedgehog populations, according to Tiggywinkles.
2. Don’t use slug pellets or pesticides
According to Tiggywinkles, the chemicals in many slug pellets and pesticides often kill hedgehogs, who will eat them or the poisoned slugs.
Use alternative methods such as scattering rose twigs, nettles or crushed up egg shells around the plants you want to protect. Copper rings or tape will also detract slugs from eating garden plants.
Avoid giving bread or milk, as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant
Having some slugs in the garden is good for hedgehogs, as they provide natural food and nourishment for them.
You can encourage natural pest control by letting birds and frogs do their job. A wildlife-friendly garden is not only safer for hedgehogs, but more ecologically balanced generally.
3. Provide nesting and hibernation sites
Hedgehogs hibernate between November and March and they need safe, insulated spots to do this.
You can buy a ready-made hedgehog house, or create your own from a pile of logs, leaves and a wooden box placed in a quiet, sheltered corner.
Make sure it is waterproof and out of the wind. Avoid disturbing potential nesting sites in autumn and winter, as this can cause hedgehogs to abandon their nests.
4. Leave out food and water – but not milk
You can supplement hedgehogs’ natural diet by putting out a bowl of dog food or meaty cat food around dusk.
Avoid giving bread or milk, as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, and it can cause serious digestive problems.
Providing fresh water in a shallow dish, especially during dry spells, is also helpful to thirsty hedgehogs.
5. Make ponds and garden hazards safe
Hedgehogs can swim but may drown if they cannot climb out of steep-sided ponds or water features.
Install a ramp or gently sloping edge, like a piece of wood or pile of rocks, to help them escape if they fall in.
Drains can be a hazard for hedgehogs so covering them over by securing netting above ground level can also help.
Gardeners should always take care to check compost heaps, bonfires, and garden machinery before use, as hedgehogs often hide in these areas.
