Topic: Attracting hedgehogs

[robynsgarden]

Does anyone know if I can attract hedgehogs to my garden?

I have lots of wildlife here, frog, bats, bees, lots of birds including a woodpecker and an owl (don't know what type because we've only heard him).

I'd really like to attract a hedgehog (or a family) to help with the slugs, we live on the edge of a village near lots of open fields. Would an animal sanctuary that had some to release maybe release them near my house if I asked and took steps to look after them?

[janet h 1948]

You might have them already. Look for HH poo. It looks like a squeeze of toothpaste but black. I've had them for years now. I leave a bowl of sunflower hearts mixed with chopped peanuts (whole ones can get stuck on roof of their mouths). Also a bowl of vitacraft HH food & a big bowl of water. They drink lots. Please don't ever put milk out. It realy upsets their tums. They also eat cat & dog food, not fish types. I put all the food stuffs under our carport to keep it dry. One night last summer I had 5 passing through.
I also have a HH house in the garden, (uninhabited as it's resident was run over last november). I hope  another will make it a home soon.
HTH>

[Juliet]

Hi Janet, fancy seeing you here!

Robynsgarden - you might find this site helpful, especially this page:  http://www.thehedgehog.co.uk/garden.htm

Other than that, everything Janet says is good advice.  If you're going to feed them, though, make sure you keep feeding them, as they'll start to rely on it.

[robynsgarden]

Thankyou for the advice and the website link. I'll have a read up on attracting them and see how it goes

Robyn