Give Hedgehogs the Edge! Its hedgehog awareness week May 4-10th
Did you know, May 4 marks the start of hedgehog awareness week?
Hedgehogs are beneficial to our environment in a lot of ways. They act as undercover garden heroes by snacking on slugs and beetles, which helps keep our flowers in bloom and our vegetables growing.
As well as this, as they burrow, hedgehogs naturally aerate soil, which improves structure and water retention.
However, the British hedgehog populations have declined by between 30-75% in rural areas since 2000, and they're now classified as ‘near threatened’.
How can I help?
During this year’s hedgehog awareness week, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) are asking us to ‘give hedgehogs the edge’ by making the edges of their green spaces or gardens havens for wildlife.
Here are a few simple tips that can help give hedgehogs the edge:
- Let the edges grow wild! Log piles, leaf heaps, and wild edges attract natural food and offer shelter for hedgehogs.
- Build hedgehog highways. These 13cm x 13cm square gaps in the base of boundary walls and fences ensure hedgehogs can access vital habitat. Find more information in our Biodiversity Toolkit.
- Make ponds hedgehog proof! Make sure ponds have escape routes for hedgehogs by adding sloping edges, ramps, or half-submerged rocks.
- Stay alert during hot spells. Water can be scarce during the hot summer months. Make sure there are always clean shallow bowls of water available to hedgehogs.
- Avoid using chemical pesticides, as these inflicts direct harm to hedgehogs.
If you don’t have a garden, don’t worry, you can still get involved by contacting public space managers, neighbours, and family to ensure they're all doing their bit.
For more information, visit the BHSP website.
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