Hedgehog lovers keen to support their local prickly friends with some tasty treats this autumn may want to revise their menu. Now is a good time to put out food for them as they build up their fat reserves to hibernate over the winter.
Their natural nibbles of choice are beetles, earwigs and caterpillars, but you can also put out some food for them. You can get specially made hedgehog food for them, or some meat-based cat food or dog food will also be well received. But one common food you probably have in your kitchen is best not to put out for them.
Bread Is Difficult To Digest
The team at outdoor furnishings group TDP.co.uk are warning that your local hedgehogs may struggle if you put out bread for them. Kym Barlow from the group said: "A lot of people assume bread is OK to leave out as it's soft, but it's actually very difficult for hedgehogs to digest, and fills their stomachs with little nutritional value.
"Milk and dairy products should be avoided too, as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant. Other foods like nuts, sweet fruits and mealworms should also be avoided." Putting out some fresh water can be a big help for your local hedgehogs.
Water Supplies
The group advises to put the water in a shallow dish and replace it each day. You should also put it somewhere sheltered but still accessible, and be sure to clean it regularly.
Asked if you can just put out water straight from the tap or if you should treat it first, Ms Barlow said: "Fresh tap water is perfectly fine to leave out, just make sure to change it daily." In terms of your water bowl, she said a shallow and sturdy container is ideal.
The outdoor expert said: "A wide-based bowl or plant saucer works well because it's less likely to tip over and is easy for a hedgehog to drink from. Keeping bowls clean is important too."
She also said where exactly is the best location to set up your hedgehog refreshment station. Ms Barlow said: "The best spot will be somewhere quiet and sheltered, such as against a fence or hedge, or under a bush.
"It needs to be somewhere that's easy for hedgehogs to enter but awkward for larger animals. You could even make a dedicated feeding station using a sturdy box with a small entrance hole large enough for a hedgehog. This will give them protection from larger animals while they feed."
Help Out Your Hedgehogs
Some other ways to help our hedgehogs visiting your garden include:
- Provide shelter - Piles of leaves, logs and branches in a quiet and undisturbed part of your garden can provide a warm place for hedgehogs to hibernate over the winter
- Avoid using pesticides - These kill insects and so reduce the natural food supply for hedgehogs
- Check the garden before you use any machinery - Check any grass, log piles and leaf piles before you do any trimming, mowing or clearing in your garden.
Ms Barlow also shared some general tips for how to support wildlife in your green space. She said: "Leaving some areas a little wild, such as longer grass or log piles, provides shelter and attracts insects for hedgehogs and birds to feed on.
"Pollinator-friendly plants help bees, butterflies and other insects and avoiding pesticides means fewer harmful substances for wildlife."
