Gardeners across the UK are being urged to drill a 13cm by 13cm hole at the base of their fences this July to help hedgehogs, a beloved but critically declining species. The UK hedgehog population has dropped by 30 to 75 percent since the year 2000, according to a 2022 report, with evidence suggesting numbers have been falling for even longer. This decline is driven by environmental changes, modern gardening practices, and household management choices.
Why Hedgehogs Need Help in July
July is a vital month for hedgehogs as they spend it breeding, foraging, and fattening up for the colder months. They primarily feed on insects, slugs, worms, and small invertebrates, but will also eat fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots. By creating access points, gardeners can help hedgehogs roam freely in search of food, mates, and nesting sites.
The Hedgehog Highway Solution
The Wildlife Trust recommends creating “hedgehog highways” by making holes in fences or digging channels beneath garden boundaries. “Hedgehogs need to be able to roam far and wide in search of food, mates and nesting sites – the average hedgehog roams 2km a night,” the Trust said. “Get together with your neighbours to make a hole in your fence or dig a channel beneath garden boundaries to connect your gardens.”
How to Create a Hedgehog Hole
To make a hedgehog hole, you will need a ruler, pencil, coping saw, and sandpaper. With your neighbour’s permission, remove a fence panel, then measure and mark a 13cm by 13cm hole at the bottom of the panel. Use the coping saw to cut out the marked hole, smooth rough edges with sandpaper, and replace the panel. Alternatively, you can use a padsaw or jab saw without removing the panel. Keep an eye out for neighbours doing garden work or using fencing contractors, as this is a perfect opportunity to install a hedgehog highway.
Additional Benefits for Gardeners
Hedgehogs are not only cute but also excellent pest exterminators, devouring slugs, snails, and other pests that damage fruit, vegetable crops, and flowerbeds. Providing food and water alongside access points can further encourage hedgehogs to visit your garden. As the Wildlife Trust notes, hedgehogs roam an average of 2km per night, so connecting gardens across neighbourhoods can significantly support their survival.
