Make a home for hedgehogs

You’ll need a shady, dry and quiet area, such as the corner of a garden. You may need to remove some soil to create a level base (keep the soil for later).

Lay a single set of bricks on the ground to create an outline chamber and tunnel.

Make the base of your hedgehog house around 40cm by 30cm.

Include a tunnel sticking out of the house that’s around 13cm wide to prevent predators getting in.

Place a second (and third if possible) layer of bricks to build your hedgehog house. Overlapping bricks will make the walls stronger.

Use a slab or sheet of wood for the top of your hedgehog house.

Stack logs, twigs and leaves around the house which will house a number of invertebrates for your hedgehog to eat.

Add soil on top of the logs surrounding the house. Tip: look for topsoil from your local area as some people give it away for free. Sow wildflower seeds to benefit other wildlife.

Place a pile of dry leaves just by the entrance for your hedgehog to drag inside and use as bedding.

Place any food away from their house as they prefer to sleep away from their food.

Clean the house in October, as this is before hibernation and after hoglets leave.

First, check whether someone is staying in the hedgehog house by placing a lightweight item in the way of the entrance, such as a twig. If the twig has moved, someone is using your home and it’s best to leave the house alone.

Take a photograph of your hedgehog house.

Upload the photograph below to receive your certificate. 

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