How to Attract Hedgehogs to Your Garden | UK Guide

How to Attract Hedgehogs to Your Garden: A Charming Guide for UK Gardeners

There’s something truly magical about spotting a hedgehog snuffling through your garden on a balmy evening. These delightful, prickly creatures play an important role in UK gardens, helping control pests and adding a touch of wildlife wonder to your outdoor space. If you’d love to welcome hedgehogs to your garden, there are several simple steps you can take to make your garden a warm and inviting haven for them. Let’s explore how to attract hedgehogs with practical, eco-friendly advice suited to British gardens of all sizes.

Why Attract Hedgehogs to Your Garden?

Hedgehogs are natural pest controllers, feasting on slugs, snails, beetles and caterpillars that can damage your plants. Beyond their gardening benefits, they are a cherished part of Britain’s wildlife heritage, though sadly their numbers have declined due to habitat loss and road dangers. By creating a hedgehog-friendly garden, you contribute to conservation efforts and enjoy the joy of these nocturnal visitors.

Creating a Hedgehog-Friendly Habitat

A garden that welcomes hedgehogs should offer plenty of natural cover and food. Dense hedges, piles of logs or leaves and wild corners provide shelter and nesting spots. Avoid tidying up too rigorously in autumn to allow leaf litter to build up, creating perfect conditions for hibernation.

Providing access to your garden is crucial, as hedgehogs can travel up to two kilometres each night. Make a small hole in fences or walls about 13cm by 13cm so they can wander freely between gardens in your neighbourhood. Many garden centres now sell purpose-made hedgehog highways to encourage safe movement.

What to Feed Hedgehogs

While hedgehogs mainly find food naturally, offering a shallow dish of fresh water and some food can help, especially in dry spells or early spring. Hedgehog-friendly food includes meaty cat or dog food, specialist hedgehog food available online or at garden shops, or unsalted cooked meat. Avoid milk and bread, which can harm hedgehogs.

Try to place food and water in a quiet, sheltered spot away from potential predators and busy paths.

Avoiding Hazards in Your Garden

Many common garden features can unintentionally harm hedgehogs. Check carefully before using strimmers or lawnmowers, and consider creating hedgehog-friendly zones where machinery is not used.

Cover any uncovered drains or ponds with ramps or escape routes to prevent accidental drowning. Avoid using slug pellets or pesticides that can poison hedgehogs or reduce their food supply.

Planting for Hedgehog Habitats

Planting native shrubs, wildflowers and fruiting bushes supports the insects and invertebrates’ hedgehogs feed on. Plant layers of vegetation at different heights to provide varied cover and food sources. Climbing plants on fences create additional shelter.

Encouraging a natural, slightly wild garden with log piles, compost heaps and leaf piles will make your garden irresistible to hedgehogs.

Seasonal Care for Hedgehogs

In autumn, leave piles of leaves undisturbed to allow hedgehogs to build nests for hibernation. If you spot a hedgehog in winter that looks weak or injured, contact a local wildlife rescue centre for advice.

During spring and summer, keep feeding and watering stations topped up to support breeding females and young hoglets.

Final Thoughts on Attracting Hedgehogs to Your Garden

Attracting hedgehogs to your garden is a rewarding way to support UK wildlife and create a lively, balanced outdoor space. By providing shelter, safe access, food and water, and avoiding hazards, you can make your garden a welcoming haven for these charming creatures. Watching a hedgehog visit your garden is a special experience that brings a touch of nature’s magic right to your doorstep.