Hedgehog as pest controller

Quenastoise

Not sure where to post this, this may have to be moved to the "pets" section ..

I have just realised that a hedgehog lives in our garden. He's to be found at dusk/night, having a right rummage in the bin store. I am not sure if he's settling or forraging for food (nothing too interesting in our bags, I am sure, as we eat little meat and compost our vegetable waste).

I'd like to keep him around, if anything because we have slugs having a go at the vegetable patches. Should I attempt to make the bin store hedgehog friendly and/or move the rubbish bag somewhere else) ? Should I leave food out there for him ? I have left a small cardboard box in the bin store but without rubbish bags I am sure he won't be interested. I don't know where he sleeps during the day but I am wondering if he'll have a place to hibernate in the garden when the foliage dies down, hence the card board box idea.

Thank you

valk_scot

Hedgehogs like dog or cat food. Might be worth putting out a small amount just to make him feel welcome. As to the box if it's cardboard it will get a bit damp. A pile of logs with gaps left inbetween and some nice dry leaves on top would be preferable, in an out of the way corner.

wallbash

Hedgehogs cover a large area ,chances are , he/she is just passing .

ljonski

It is important that you have little gaps or holes underneath you and your neighbours fences to allow them access. You could even make him a little home to encourage him to stay......


http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/hedgehog_home/

Hth

grannybroon

I have a hedgehog who visits regularly and I bought Hedgehog nibbles from the Garden Centre. He loves them!

GB