Put one out in the garden during spring and it’ll give hedgehogs a nice home after they’ve finished hibernating, which they might well use for raising hoglets. Or you could help local hedgehogs out by introducing a house around October, which will give them a great spot for hibernating.
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Hedgehogs are undeniably charming creatures. They play a vital role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems by acting as nature's pest controllers, feasting on common garden nuisances. Yet, their survival faces ever-increasing challenges as our environment changes. To protect and preserve hedgehogs, providing them with safe havens during hibernation is crucial. In this article, we will discuss how you can protect the hedgehogs in your garden by providing them with a home during the hibernation period. By the end of this read you'll not only be informed, but inspired to create a welcoming sanctuary for these delightful visitors in your own garden.
Why provide a hedgehog house for hibernation?
Hedgehogs are native to many parts of Europe and the UK, and their populations have been declining due to habitat loss and other factors. Offering them a hedgehog house provides several benefits including:
Protection from harsh weather: Hedgehogs are small and vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. Providing a cosy house keeps them safe from the elements during the cold winter months.
Safe hibernation: Hedgehogs hibernate from late autumn until early spring. A secure hedgehog house encourages them to hibernate, which is essential for their survival during the winter.
Breeding ground: Hedgehog houses also serve as a safe space for mothers to give birth to their hoglets and nurse them.
Natural pest control: Hedgehogs are excellent natural pest controllers. By creating a suitable habitat for them, you can help reduce the population of insects harmful to your garden.
Where to put your hedgehog house?
Location is vital when setting up a hedgehog house. Here's how to choose the perfect spot:
Quiet and undisturbed: Select a quiet and undisturbed area in your garden. Hedgehogs prefer quiet corners away from human or pet activity.
South or west-facing: Position the house so that it faces south or west, where it can receive sunlight during the day, but ensure it's shaded during the hottest parts of the day.
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Elevated and dry: Place the house on an elevated surface, such as bricks or logs, to prevent water from entering during heavy rains. A dry interior is essential for a safe hibernation environment.
Accessible entrance: Ensure there’s easy access to the entrance of the house without any obstacles. Hedgehogs will enter and exit through this opening, so it should be clear.
Covered with vegetation: Some cover from vegetation, like shrubs or ground cover, can provide additional protection and camouflage for the hedgehog house.
What to put in your hedgehog house?
Creating a cosy and welcoming home for hedgehogs requires careful consideration of their needs. Line the floor with dry leaves or straw to provide insulation and comfort. Ensure the entrance is small to deter predators and weatherproof it with a slight overhang. Hedgehogs appreciate a soft bedding material like hay or shredded newspaper for warmth. A hinged lid makes it easy to clean and check on your spiky visitors. Finally, place the house in a quiet, sheltered spot in your garden, with a clear, easy-access path for hedgehogs to come and go.
When to put out your hedgehog house for hibernation
The ideal time to put out a hedgehog house for hibernation is late autumn, typically from mid-October to early November. This timing aligns with when hedgehogs naturally begin their hibernation period. Ensure the hedgehog house is situated in a sheltered, quiet, and secluded spot within your garden, preferably facing away from prevailing winds. Make sure it's free from disturbances, as hedgehogs are sensitive to noise and light during hibernation.
How to maintain your hedgehog house
Maintaining a hedgehog house is essential for the wellbeing of these adorable garden visitors. Regular care ensures a safe and inviting habitat for these nocturnal creatures. Clean the house once or twice a year, and remove any old bedding and debris. Replace it with fresh, dry leaves or straw for insulation.
Check for any damage or leaks in the roof and repair them promptly to keep the interior dry. Keep the entrance clear of obstructions. Monitoring the house's occupants through a wildlife camera can help you assess their health and behaviour. Finally, provide a shallow dish of fresh water and food for hedgehogs, preferably a few feet away from the house for hedgehog nourishment. By following these maintenance steps, you'll create a welcoming hedgehog haven in your garden.
By providing an Ark Wildlife hedgehog house for hibernation, you not only help these endearing creatures survive the winter, but also contribute to the overall biodiversity of your garden. Hedgehogs play an important role in natural pest control, and as such, they are valuable allies to gardeners and conservationists alike.
Once the Hedgehog House is sited in your garden, here are some best practice FAQ’s to help you:
How long before my Hedgehog House gets used?
There is no set time for a hedgehog to move into a new house. Some hedgehog houses may be occupied within days or weeks, while others can sit quietly for months before a hedgehog decides it’s the right place to call home. Don't be discouraged if your new hedgehog house appears to be getting no attention at first.
Hedgehogs are naturally cautious animals and may investigate a new shelter several times before deciding to use it. The location of the house is likely to be more important than how quickly it is occupied. A quiet, sheltered position out of wind and rain, with plenty of natural cover nearby is much more appealing than an exposed box in the middle of a lawn.
It is also worth remembering that a hedgehog house isn't necessarily going to be used immediately as a winter hibernation nest. Hedgehogs may use different hedgehog houses throughout the year for summer shelter, or a breeding chamber in addition to hibernation, and therefore a house that appears to be empty could still become an important shelter later in the year.
How can I tell if a hedgehog is using the house?
Try not to lift the roof or look inside to check. Disturbing a hedgehog that is resting or nesting is more likely to do harm than good.
Instead, look for small signs around the entrance. Leaves and other nesting material may disappear into the house, or you might notice that the entrance looks slightly different from one day to the next. A wildlife camera positioned nearby is an excellent way to find out whether your hedgehog house has visitors without disturbing them. Another low tech approach is placing a dry leaf across the entrance. If it’s moved in the morning, this suggests the box is occupied.
Most importantly, give your hedgehog house time. A new hedgehog house will smell of humans and and this can be a deterrent initially. A good quality house in a quiet location provides a valuable shelter for years, even if you don't see a hedgehog move in straight away.
Should I put bedding in or let them drag their own leaves in?
You don't need to fill a hedgehog house with bedding, but it is a good idea to leave some natural nesting material nearby so a hedgehog can bring it inside itself.
Dry leaves are particularly useful. In the wild, hedgehogs collect dry leaves, grass, bracken and other vegetation to construct insulated nests in sheltered places. They are remarkably good at turning loose natural materials into a warm, waterproof nest, so there is no need to try and do the job for them.
If you want to give your hedgehog a helping hand, simply place a handful of dry grass or hay with a scattering of dry leaves loosely inside the bed chamber. You can also leave additional small piles nearby. Hedgehogs like to build their own nests by carrying in suitable materials using their spines to arrange it to their liking.
What is the best bedding for a hedgehog house?
Natural, dry materials are best. Dry grass and leaves are ideal, particularly if they are already naturally occurring in your garden. Specialist hedgehog bedding can also be purchased if you don’t have access to suitable natural materials.
Avoid putting synthetic materials, cotton wool, fluffy nesting material, string or fabric inside a hedgehog house. These aren't necessary and can potentially become tangled around a hedgehog.
Don't worry if the house looks untidy from the outside. A hedgehog doesn't need its home to look neat and tidy. In fact, a house surrounded by leaves, twigs and natural cover is likely to look much more like the sort of shelter a hedgehog would naturally choose.
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society specifically recommends leaving dry leaves outside the house so that a prospective resident can take them inside and use them as bedding.
Should I ever clean out my Hedgehog House?
Yes, a hedgehog house can be cleaned, but only when you are certain it is empty.
This is one of the most important things to remember when looking after a hedgehog house. Never lift the roof, remove bedding or clean inside if a hedgehog may be using it. A hedgehog could be resting, hibernating or, during the breeding season, a female could be raising young inside.
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society advises that hedgehog houses can be cleaned after winter, around late March or early April, but only after checking carefully that there is no hedgehog in residence.
How do I know if my hedgehog house is empty?
Don't rely simply on looking through the entrance. Instead, place a small, lightweight obstruction across the entrance, taking care not to block it completely. If it has been moved overnight, there may still be a hedgehog using the house.
It is sensible to monitor this for several nights rather than assuming the house is empty after just one quiet night. If you have any doubt at all, leave the house alone.
A wildlife camera trap is an excellent, non-invasive way of checking whether the house is being visited.
How do I clean a hedgehog house?
If you are confident that the house is empty, remove the old nesting material and scrub the house thoroughly with hot water and a scrubbing brush. Avoid using strong household disinfectants, scented cleaners or chemicals that could leave harmful residues or fumes behind.
Allow the house to dry thoroughly in direct sunshine before putting it back in place. You can then put some fresh, dry leaves outside the entrance rather than filling the house yourself. The hedgehog can collect these and rebuild its nest when it’s ready.
Don't feel that you have to clean a hedgehog house every year, either. If it is in good condition and there is no reason to disturb it, leaving it alone may be the best option. Hedgehogs will often reuse suitable nesting sites, and unnecessary disturbance should be avoided.
Key Takeaway: If you think a hedgehog might be inside, don't open the house. It is far better to leave a little old nesting material in place than disturb a hedgehog that has chosen your garden as its home.
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