Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress has shared ideas on how to create a haven for hedgehogs, helping to prevent them from disturbance through winter.

From late October through to early April hedgehogs enter hibernation to survive the winter. During this period, they enter a state known as torpor, where they are not truly sleeping, but rather in a reduced physiological state. Their metabolic rate and body temperature drop significantly, allowing them to conserve energy, which makes normal activity impossible.

During hibernation hedgehogs seek warmth and need to be protected from harsh weather and predators. It is common for hedgehogs to become briefly active during their hibernation to forage for food and search for a new nesting site.

If you want to set up a hedgehog home, remember that it’s important not to disturb them during this time. It’s crucial to give them a warm space with leaves or newspaper to ensure it’s comfortable and protected from predators. 

If you choose to leave out food opt for tinned dog meat (not fish), as well as fresh fruit like chopped apples and keep this away from the hedgehog house and in a separate area of your garden.

Chris Bonnett’s tips for making a hedgehog home:

Choose the right box

Old boxes work great as a base for a hedgehog house but if you don’t already have one, making one from scratch can be a fun activity. A hedgehog house should be roughly 30x30cm and 25cm tall. Be mindful you’ll need equipment like wood, hammers, nails, and a saw.

Assemble the box

Once a box is built with a 15x15cm entrance, you can also make a tunnel that leads to the main part of the house, this will add to the hedgehog’s safety and warmth.

Including natural materials such as leaves, foliage and soil to the base of the box will create a homely habitat for hedgehogs throughout their hibernation. Covering the hedgehog box with garden foliage will further blend it into a natural environment.

Choose the right location

Once your hedgehog house has been created, it’s important to place it somewhere sheltered and away from your house, this will keep them uninterrupted, safe and protected from the elements over winter.

Providing food and water 

If you wish to leave food or water for hibernating hedgehogs you’ll want to put it in a separate feeding location away from the hedgehog house. Hedgehogs will never bring food back to their nest because they’ll run the risk of attracting predators. Leaving food out away from their nest also causes minimal disruption during hibernation. 

End of hibernation 

As hibernation comes to an end, you might be thinking about refreshing your hedgehog house or turning it into a feeding station. It’s important to wait until the hedgehog has left, typically in early April, to ensure no hedgehogs are currently using the space.