The plight of the hedgehog is a pressing concern in the UK. These beloved creatures are at risk of disappearing from our gardens and countryside due to habitat loss, busy roads, and fenced-in gardens. However, there is hope. By making a few simple changes to your garden, you can create a hedgehog-friendly haven that will attract these spiky little wanderers and provide them with the shelter and food they need to thrive. **Why Create a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden?**
There are many compelling reasons to create a hedgehog-friendly garden. Not only can these gardens help to protect and conserve hedgehog populations, but they can also provide a range of benefits for gardeners themselves. For example, hedgehogs are skilled pest controllers, and by attracting them to your garden, you can keep slugs and other pests under control. This means that your garden will be healthier and more balanced, and you’ll need to use fewer pesticides and other chemicals. **Creating a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden**
So, how can you create a hedgehog-friendly garden? Here are some simple and effective tips to get you started:
* **Make a hedgehog highway**: Hedgehogs need to be able to move freely through your garden to find food, shelter, and mates. By leaving gaps in fences and creating a hedgehog highway, you can provide a safe and accessible route for these little creatures. * **Let things relax a little**: Hedgehogs prefer to forage for food in areas that are a little untidy. By allowing an area of your garden to be left uncut and growing wild, you can create a hedgehog-friendly habitat. * **Leave food and water out**: Hedgehogs need food and water to survive, so by leaving out a few treats and a bowl of fresh water, you can attract these little creatures to your garden. * **Buy (or make) a hedgehog house**: Once you’ve attracted hedgehogs to your garden, you can provide them with a cozy little home to rest and nest in. You can buy a hedgehog house or make your own using a few simple materials. * **And always be hedgehog aware**: By being mindful of your gardening activities and taking care to avoid harming hedgehogs, you can help to protect these little creatures and create a safe and welcoming environment for them in your garden. **What Smells Attract Hedgehogs?**
Hedgehogs have a keen sense of smell, and they are attracted to a range of scents, including food, insects, and plants. By filling your garden with native fragrant plants and hedging, you can create a hedgehog-friendly environment that will attract these little creatures. **Frequently Asked Questions**
Q: How do I attract a hedgehog to my garden? A: The best and easiest way to attract a hedgehog to your garden is to relax your mowing schedule, pop a few hedgehog-sized holes in the bottom of your fence, and leave them somewhere to eat, drink, and sleep. Q: What smells attract hedgehogs? A: Hedgehogs are attracted to the smell of food, whether that’s insects, slugs and snails, or recommended foods. They are also fond of all the wonderful smells of a garden, so be sure to fill yours with plenty of native fragrant garden plants and hedging. Q: Can I help hedgehogs by creating a hedgehog-friendly garden? A: Absolutely! By creating a hedgehog-friendly garden, you can provide a safe and welcoming environment for these little creatures and help to protect and conserve hedgehog populations. So, how can you get started with creating a hedgehog-friendly garden? By making a few simple changes to your garden and being mindful of your gardening activities, you can create a safe and welcoming environment for hedgehogs and help to protect these little creatures. Don’t wait – start creating a hedgehog-friendly garden today!

 
 
If you’re looking for more information on creating a hedgehog-friendly garden, there are many resources available online and in local communities. By working together and sharing our knowledge and expertise, we can help to protect and conserve hedgehog populations and create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly garden ecosystem.