Hedgehogs are a beloved British garden visitor, and there are a few simple methods to attract them to your outdoor space. Leaving a common item outside can help them come back regularly
Hedgehogs, with their endearing tiny size and adorable appearance, are a favourite among many, but enticing them into your garden can be a challenge unless you’re armed with some simple strategies. Fortunately, an expert has offered some tips on methods to attract these charming creatures, and it might be simpler than you imagine.
There are several measures you can take to draw in hedgehogs and provide them with care during the winter months when they require a bit of extra attention. As food and shelter become scarcer during the colder season, any assistance you can offer in your garden will be greatly appreciated by these little critters.
David Fryer, Head of Technical at Mr Fothergill’s, recently shared some crucial advice following the revelation that a simple addition to your garden could encourage hedgehog visits in December. It’s super important to know if you want to attract hedgehogs.
David advised: “A tidy lawn might look smart, but a few quiet corners left undisturbed can make all the difference to local wildlife. Leave dead wood and small log piles in shaded areas for beetles, woodlice and other insects.
“Even a simple ‘bug hotel’ made from pinecones, hollow stems, straw and small stones offers a safe refuge for beneficial insects over winter.”
On the subject of hedgehogs, he continued: “Small heaps of twigs and branches make perfect hiding spots for hedgehogs and shrews, while an upturned terracotta pot can provide a cool, damp shelter for frogs and toads. These micro-habitats not only protect wildlife but also bring useful pest controllers right into your garden.”
What do I need to know?
Creating a pile of twigs and sticks, sometimes called a log or brush pile, is a brilliant method for offering shelter, nesting materials and a natural food supply to hedgehogs and other garden creatures throughout the colder months. Put simply, there’s no real need to be too tidy.
When building your pile, select a peaceful, undisturbed and shaded spot in your garden. Then just gather up fallen branches, logs, twigs and woody trimmings from pruning.
As a rule, position larger logs at the bottom to provide air pockets and structural support. Afterwards, fill any spaces with smaller twigs, bark pieces and dried leaves to create a cosy environment.
You can allow the pile to decompose naturally, adding fresh material annually as older layers break down and compact. Make sure there’s an access point at the base so hedgehogs can easily enter.
What makes them so valuable?
Hedgehogs are drawn to piles of twigs and leaves because they provide vital shelter and are abundant in their natural food sources. While it may look “untidy”, this habitat is essential for their survival, particularly for nesting, hibernation and protection from predators.
They prefer dry locations for building nests and, by keeping the material readily accessible in one area, you can significantly benefit them. Additionally, the moist, shaded conditions of a decaying log and twig pile attract numerous invertebrates.
These creatures form the hedgehog’s main diet. So creating a straightforward heap in your garden can support these small animals in more ways than you might think.
To provide further assistance, you could also place a bowl of water outside. This will help keep them hydrated throughout the winter months.
There are several ways to modify your garden to support them. You simply need to understand what’s required.
