How to Help Hedgehogs in Your Garden This Year

Hedgehogs are more than just adorable visitors, they are also natural pest controllers. They love to munch on slugs, beetles, and caterpillars, which every gardener will know, can cause chaos in our gardens. Sadly, these charming creatures are facing significant challenges and their numbers are declining across the UK. But there is a way to help. Just by making a few simple changes, you can transform your garden into a hedgehog haven.

Let the Edges Grow Wild

Hedgehogs thrive in untidy corners filled with logs, leaves, and overgrown plants. These areas provide shelter and attract the insects they love to eat. Before tidying up, always check for hidden wildlife to avoid disturbing any nesting hedgehogs.

Create Hedgehog Highways

Solid fences can trap hedgehogs in one area, limiting their access to food and mates. By cutting a small 13cm x 13cm hole at the base of your fence, you can create a "hedgehog highway" that allows them to roam freely. Tell your neighbours to do the same, and don't forget to log your efforts on the Big Hedgehog Map.

Provide Fresh Water

This one is important particularly during dry weather. A shallow dish of clean water can be a lifesaver for hedgehogs. Add a few pebbles so bees and butterflies can safely drink too.

Avoid Harmful Chemicals

Slug pellets and pesticides can poison hedgehogs or eliminate their food sources. Try to choose natural pest control methods to keep your garden safe for all wildlife.

Tidy Up Netting and Litter

Garden netting can entangle hedgehogs, leading to injury or death. Ensure nets are raised at least 30cm off the ground, and always store sports nets when not in use. Additionally, pick up any litter, as it causes significant risks to wildlife.

Build or Buy a Hedgehog House

Offering a safe, dry space for hedgehogs to nest or hibernate can make a big difference. Place the house in a quiet, sheltered part of your garden, and fill it with dry leaves or straw.

Support the British Hedgehog Preservation Society

If you’d like to do even more to help, consider supporting the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. They do vital work to protect hedgehogs and raise awareness across the UK. You can donate, become a member, or simply help by sharing their advice with others.

By taking a few simple steps, you can offer a safe haven to hedgehogs - and enjoy the magic they bring to any garden.

Why We Love Hedgehogs

There’s another reason so many of us want to help hedgehogs: they’ve charmed their way into our hearts for generations. Hedgehogs are consistently voted Britain’s favourite wild animal. One of the oldest mammals on earth, they appear throughout folklore, literature and even modern gifts and homeware.

In many cultures, hedgehogs symbolise good luck, wisdom and even a little magic. From Beatrix Potter’s beloved Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle to the ancient Egyptians, who viewed hedgehogs as symbols of rebirth, these small creatures have inspired stories, superstitions and smiles throughout history.

If you’d like to explore more about their fascinating history and symbolism, take a look at this blog post: Why Do We Love Hedgehogs?

And if you’d like to bring a hedgehog into your home in a different way, why not take a look at our very own Hedgehog Collection. You can enjoy this delightful character on a range of beautifully made homeware and gifts.

Visit British Hedgehog Preservation Society

Discover the Hedgehog Collection