Lots of people like the idea of having hedgehogs in the garden because, as well as being super cute, they are natural pest controllers and help to eat slugs, snails and insects that can harm plants. Not to mention, attracting hedgehogs is a good way to help a declining species, and can be rewarding, as people enjoy seeing them.
Generally, hedgehogs are most often seen in gardens at night between April and October, as this is their active foraging season. They can also be seen during the day, especially in summer when nights are shorter, or in late summer and early autumn when young, unweaned hedgehogs are out foraging.
If you see tham at other times, such as a daytime sighting in cooler months, this can imply the animal is sick and may need help. However, in October, you still have a chance of seeing a few, and there are some ways you can encourage them to visit your garden.
In a video shared on TikTok, gardening guru Deb shared some simple tips to help you attract them. According to her, there are some easy ways you can draw them in.
To help them visit, she said you just need to do one thing. There are a few things the cute little animals really like.
Deb said: “Now, it may seem simple, but the first thing to do is make sure you have a hedgehog highway. Hedgehogs can roam up to one mile each night.
“If you have a fenced garden, make sure that there’s a gap in the fence, or a gap under your garden gate. Provide shelter for the hedgehog.
“A log pile, compost heap or purpose-built house in a shaded spot will give hedgehogs a safe place to rest and hibernate. Provide food and water, not milk. Contrary to popular belief, milk is bad for hedgehogs. Do not leave milk out. Leave out fresh water.”
She said you can also buy hedgehog biscuits which you can leave in the garden for them. This will give them some tasty food to indulge in.
Not to mention, she said hedgehogs also love gardens with leafy trees, so it’s worth keeping this in mind. If you don’t have these, Deb noted it may be worth considering planting some.
Why do hedgehogs like shelter?
Hedgehogs like to visit gardens as they offer a safe space along with food, water and shelter. These things are needed for rest and to help the animals raise young and hibernate safely.
They are normally attracted to quiet, dry and secluded areas found in gardens. Some examples of popular spots include compost heaps, log piles or under sheds and dense foliage.
This is why creating a “wild corner” with a pile of logs, leaves and garden debris is a good idea, as it provides ideal nesting material and shelter. You can also buy or build a purpose-built hedgehog house.
If you’re lighting the fire more at the moment, you may be glad to know they love log piles. as they offer both food and shelter. Log piles create a habitat for insects like beetles and woodlice, which are primary food sources for hedgehogs.
They’re also a safe place for hedgehogs to hibernate, breed and rest as the piles offer shelter from predators. Homing some simple things in your garden can encourage them to stop by.