How to help hedgehogs in your garden

Hedgehogs are wonderful mammals that need our help. TV gardening presenter and Thrive Ambassador David Domoney looks at how we can help them thrive in our gardens.

By David Domoney

I often refer to hedgehogs as ‘garden bouncers’ because they do a stand-up job of keeping pests, like slugs and snails, at bay. They’re a big ally!

As a patron for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, I know that hedgehogs really need our help.

What do hedgehogs eat and drink

A hedgehog drinking from a bowl of water. Photo credit: Unsplash

You can support hedgehogs by leaving out some food and drink for them.

Make sure to avoid giving milk. Hedgehogs are actually lactose intolerant and this will give them a nasty stomach upset. A supply of fresh water is a much better idea.

If you want to leave some food, go for chicken or turkey cat food in jelly. A bowl of this and you’ll soon find you get regular visitors! Don't give pet food in gravy as it's too salty.

Hedgehog highways

A road sign indicating hedgehogs crossing

For gardens with walled or fenced boundaries, make a little cut out in your garden border. You want it to be about the size of a side plate. This will allow hedgehogs to pass from one garden to the next and escape from predators.

If you signpost it ‘Hedgehog Highway’ you might find your neighbours join in too!

Helping hibernation

A hedgehog house among autumn leaves

As they prepare for hibernation, you can do a lot to ensure that hedgehogs survive the cold winter nights.

A hedgehog home is a really simple way to give these incredible creatures a safe habitat. I have more information about how to build your own on my website.

So, spare a thought for these marvellous little mammals and you’ll find that it’s a rewarding effort for both you and your garden.

David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist and a TV broadcaster, working on shows such as Love Your Garden.

Spring and summer tips from Array 4 Hogs

In the warmer, active gardening months, there are extra things to be aware of for the health and safety of hedgehogs. Array 4 Hogs share some tips:

Always check carefully for wildlife before mowing, strimming or tidying wild areas. Hedgehogs will not run away when scared, they will roll up in a ball. This can be fatal if a strimmer is used without checking for wildlife first
Robotic lawn mowers can be an issue for hedgehogs. If they are set to mow at night, because hedgehogs are nocturnal, they can be fatal for them
No Mow May can be a mixed blessing, as the wildlife habitats get cut back again in June. We like to propose No Mow May followed by Let it Bloom June!
Hedgehog highways are wonderful. These 13cm x 13cm square gaps in the base of boundary walls and fences ensure hedgehogs can access vital habitat. Once made, log them on the Big Hedgehog Map
Ponds are great for wildlife, but ensure there are escape routes. Add sloping edges, ramps or half-submerged rocks so hedgehogs can scramble out
Water is vital for all wildlife and can be scarce during hot spells. Make sure there are always clean shallow bowls of water available for hedgehogs. Add a few pebbles for bees and butterflies to perch on so they can safely drink too.
Stop using poisons and pesticides that could harm wildlife and destroy the food chain. Slug pellets can poison and kill anything that eats the slug - including hedghogs. Slug prevention methods such as crushed egg shells, coffee grounds, copper tape, alpaca matts and beer traps won't harm hedgehogs. Or, you could plant slug and snail resistant plants
Hedgehogs can get tangled up in netting. Put sports nets away when not using and raise garden netting 30cm off the ground if possible so hedgehogs can safely pass under