Gardeners are being warned not to rake up all the leaves in their garden this autumn, as doing so could disturb an animal that is endangered in the UK.
For those living near trees with a well-kept garden, the season brings a constant battle against a carpet of crisp orange leaves across lawns, patios and decking. However, gardeners are now being advised to leave some piles of leaves in their outdoor spaces, which offers two key benefits.
Leaves provide natural fertiliser and shelter
Leaves are good for a garden. They break down into the soil and add vital nutrients to the ground, which can act as a natural fertiliser and boost next year's lawn, crops and flowers. They can, though, become a bit much if they carpet an entire lawn and block out the light.
When raking up leaves — especially to burn them in a burner or bonfire — hedgehogs are in particular danger, as log piles and piles of leaves appear to be ideal places for shelter for them.
Hedgehog numbers halved since 2007
As Wiltshire Wildlife Trust says: "Unfortunately, the native British mammals regularly fall foul of un-checked bonfires and are killed because of it."
"Considering their recent classification as vulnerable to extinction on the Mammal Societies Red List, the warning for bonfire night is now more crucial than ever. Since 2007, numbers of wild hedgehogs in the UK have halved, and there are now thought to be fewer than a million left in the UK."
Advice for helping hedgehogs this winter
The Trust advises that gardeners should deliberately leave some piles of leaves and logs in their garden to help hedgehogs this winter. It added: "Leave wild areas in the garden, such as piles of leaves and logs. These make effective nests and attract the insects that hedgehogs need as part of their diet."
"Cover any drains or holes, and ensure any ponds or swimming pools have an escape route. Avoid using fruit netting as hedgehogs can become entangled in it."
They even advise that you could buy or build a hedgehog house and ensure it is placed somewhere sheltered, and is well camouflaged with leaves, compost or tree branches. In any case, gardeners are being advised to be extra careful when sweeping up leaves and are being asked to do whatever they can to help the spikey bois from going extinct.
