Strimmers and wildlife...please read

[Margaret]

Please please think before you use a strimmer .At least if you must use one,check the area very thoroughly first for hedgehogs,frogs,etc.Just take a look at what these things can do.This hedgehog is unlikely to survive,it has several injuries as well as its nose strimmed off.The site i am a member of does a lot in promoting the care of these lovely creatures.There is also a petition to get warnings put on these things when sold.

http://www.hedgehoghelp.co.uk/index.php/topic,1542.15.html

this is the full story

http://www.hedgehoghelp.co.uk/index.php/topic,1542.0.html

Thankyou

[Margaret]

[glosterwomble]

I never realised that there was a problem with hedgehogs and strimmers, thanks for posting this and letting us know.

[Kea]

Before I mow my lawn I walk all over it checking for frogs...so not just strimming.

[Barnowl]

I asked  Tiggywinkles if we could have some  rescue hedgehogs but they said our allotments weren't suitable, which I can understand. Mind you they'd never go hungry!

[rosebud]

Its not only wildlife that suffers from strimmers. NOT BEING FLIPPANT.

WE LOOK FOR FROGS SINCE FINDING A COUPLE IN THE GARDEN, NEVER SEEN A HEDGEHOG BUT WILL CHECK NOW, Oppppppps.  ;D

[saddad]

The last hedgehog I ever saw on our lotties had been strimmed... they are back now after ten years!  :-X

[carolinej]

I am always careful since I took the tail off a small rock lizard (well thats what I always call them ::))

He survived, and in the summer, he was always identifiable as the only tailless one lying on the stones.

cj :)

[star]

Thats a shocking set of pictures Margaret, Im very glad you posted the information, as I was sorely misinformed about the food of hedgehogs. I always thought slugs and snails were the staple.

So thank you for putting me and others right on that point alone. Im glad to say I dont use a strimmer or mower.

[camo_lady]

I signed, though I really am sceptical of online petitions. Personally, I prefer the direct approach to the manufacturers. If they get lots of letters in their post, they tend to listen to what their customers want.. many of us DO buy their goods and if we give reasons why we might not, then .....

J.P.

[saddad]

Our hedgehogs seem to be thriving... have seen at least three seperate individuals on the site this year... as a flippant aside, why when you strim a large slug does it always end up on your goggles!  ::)

[manicscousers]

lucky you're wearing goggles  ;D

[ACE]

as a flippant aside, why when you strim a large slug does it always end up on your goggles!  ::)

Sloppy, sticky, smelly stuff always hits you in the face. Stones, pine cones and acorns tend to go for the family jewels.

It is the rule of thumb whenever you are strimming.

If you ever see one, get a flip down visor, they cover your face completely and wear a sack as an apron, it takes the sting out of the missiles. Never ever strim with shorts on. A mate of mine did and he suffered a terrible rash on his legs for years. Which spread and eventually killed him.