Who could resist?

I found this picture and couldn't resist making it the basis for a post. These baby hedgehogs, known as hoglets, are very sweet and most people would love to think of them living in their garden. But they are not just a sweet ornamental addition to your patch, they are the gardeners friend. The hedgehogs diet is made up of slugs, caterpillars, worms, beetles and other insects. Now any help with my slug problem is gratefully received and plant-wise I'm not that keen on caterpillars either, so hedgehogs are welcome in my garden. 

There are, however, a couple of things we need to know about our prickly friends. Most people know that we shouldn't put out saucers of milk for them, meaty pet food is much better, but also make sure you leave water out for them to drink. 

Slug pellets are the hedgehogs enemy, as are the poisoned slugs left behind. So if you have hedgehogs or want them, avoid slug pellets or put them in places that they can't get to - under paving stones, in pipes and crevices, and remove any slug victims promptly.

Ponds and pools can be a hazard too. Make sure you have a gentle slop at the side so any accidental swimmers can crawl out, or hang chicken wire over the edge so that they can use it as a scramble net.

The best news is - to create the perfect habitat for the spiny suckers you have to make sure your garden is not too tidy, so my garden should be over-run with them! Twig piles, dead leaves, nooks and crannies and wild areas will give hedgehogs somewhere to shelter and even hibernate. And don't forget always check these areas carefully before disturbing, just in case you have a resident prickly snoozer!

If you find a hedgehog in distress then you can call 

The Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801

or go online for advice and help

Hedgehog Preservation Society

If you want to provide some extra comfort for the 'furze-pig' in your life then Ark Wildlife do a range of hedgehog houses and other accessories.

Arkwildlife