Author Blog
Hedgehog Hazards
Helping hedgehogs avoid common hazards.
The Garden Compost Heap
A gardener’s friend - the compost heap is great for soil enrichment, but it’s also a great place for hedgehogs to nest, especially amongst grass clippings, leaves and twigs. So, before you dig your garden fork in, have a thorough check for signs of hedgehogs.
Ponds & Swimming Pools
A garden pond can make a fantastic addition to your garden, providing an opportunity to encourage and observe a diverse range of wildlife. It also provides the chance to educate and encourage children to develop an interest in wildlife. Hedgehogs are great swimmers but they need a form of ramp in deep areas and a shallow area at least to one side, in order to climb out of the water if they fall in.
Who doesn’t love a swimming pool? To prevent hedgehogs from drowning, ensure they have a means to get out or keep your pool covered when not in use.
Bonfires
A pile of wood, brush, leaves and cardboard provides a very enticing nesting opportunity for hedgehogs to sleep or hibernate in. It can be difficult to check for hedgehogs after the wood pile is built, so it’s best to have all your materials ready nearby and assemble your bonfire on the day of lighting.
If this isn’t possible, thoroughly check the bonfire, using a broom to lift areas, and a torch. To make doubly sure, light it from one side so that if a hedgehog is present, it has a possible means of escape.
Fireworks
Firework displays can be incredibly beautiful and are an honoured tradition, but they are incredibly frightening for hedgehogs and other wildlife. Every year, rescue centres receive a large influx of serious casualties, some fatal, as a direct result of fireworks displays. If possible, attend an ‘organised event’ which helps to reduce the number and spread of displays. If this isn’t possible, please remember that it’s not just your pets at home that are terrified; it’s all wildlife, and they have no means to hide. So, if you must buy fireworks, opt for a silent colourful display, with no loud bangs or whistles - you will literally be saving animals’ lives!
Halloween
Halloween is especially popular in America, but has become a staple celebration in the UK too. It’s always a joy to see carved pumpkins, especially if the artist makes use of the flesh in a pie, cake, or drink.
However, pumpkins left on the ground can be incredibly tempting to hedgehogs, and can make them very sick.
Pesticides & Chemicals
The use of slug pellets may poison hedgehogs. As well as killing pests, garden pesticides and chemicals can kill the beneficial insects that help to naturally protect our vegetable gardens and may inadvertently kill pollinators.
Why not encourage hedgehogs into your garden? They are, of course, our natural pest controllers.
Netting & Electric Fences
Hedgehogs can easily become entangled in netting, especially when it separates areas they are trying to access. There is nothing more heart-breaking than finding a dead hedgehog entangled in garden netting or knowing you accidentally electrocuted a hedgehog!
Ensure unused netting is stored away and any netting protecting vegetables, placed at a height sufficient to allow hedgehogs to pass under - after all, you want to encourage these marvellous natural pest controllers into your vegetable garden!
Electric fences should be checked every time, before they are switched on.
Pets
Dogs especially, can cause serious injuries to hedgehogs. If you have visiting hedgehogs, accompany your pet into the garden when you let them out at night.
Strimmers, Mowers & Garden Tools
Many of us like to get outside and tackle the garden on a sunny day. Garden tools and machinery can cause serious and often, fatal injuries to hedgehogs. Remember to check the area you are working in for hedgehogs.
Leaving a wild area, even if you only have a small garden, not only encourages hedgehogs, but other beneficial wildlife too.
