Do hedgehog boxes work?
The great news is that 81% of survey respondents found that hedgehogs used artificially created hedgehog houses for resting, 59% for hibernation and 28% for breeding. This is wonderful and means that providing a hedgehog home is a great thing to do to help hedgehogs. Hedgehogs do prefer to make their own homes.
How do you make a hedgehog hibernation box?
To make your hedgehog house you need an old box such as a wooden wine crate, wood to make a tunnel, and some dry leaves, hay or straw to fill the box to keep the hedgehogs nice and cosy. Put it in the quietest part of the garden and cover with leaves or logs to make it look as natural as possible.
What do you put in a hedgehog box?
Whether you make your own or buy one, fill the chamber of your hedgehog home with a layer of dead, dry leaves. Hedgehogs prefer small leaves such as birch, oak, hawthorn or hazel. Then screw the roof to the box so that you can remove it in future to clean the box out.
Where do you put a hedgehog box?
Hedgehogs generally like to nest at the base of thick hedges, under bramble bushes, underneath piles of rubbish or compost heaps, or close to garden sheds. Place a purpose built hedgehog house in a quiet shaded position in your garden with an entrance hole out of the weather (ideally facing East to South).
How big does a hedgehog box have to be?
To make a box you will need the following: 4m (13ft) of 50mm x 25mm (2” x 1”), 8m (26ft) of 100mm x 18mm (4” x ¾”). Use untreated wood and don’t be tempted to creosote the wood to protect it from the weather as the smell of either creosote or paint will deter Hedgehogs.
Should hedgehog boxes be cleaned out?
Hedgehogs naturally have external parasites such as ticks and fleas that can be transferred through nest use. Remove any bedding and then wash out the box using boiling water and leave it to dry out, and this will kill off any parasites.
What size is a hedgehog house?
Hedgehogs only need quite a small opening to get through, 13cm square is enough for them. So avoid houses with doorways much bigger than this as they just allow easier access for predators.
Do hedgehog houses attract rats?
Given that rats build nests under houses, burrow beneath walls, and take shelter amongst shrubs, there is a good possibility that rats would live in a hedgehog house. This possibility only increases with the presence of food and water – and if the house is in an area that attracts rats.
Do hedgehogs hibernate alone?
They are solitary creatures and will hibernate alone in the wild. Strangely, hedgehogs kept in captivity will often choose to share a nest. Once they have chosen their spot, they will start to build a nest.
What does it mean when a hedgehog hibernates?
Hibernation is not like sleeping. The hedgehog won’t be roused by touch or by noise. Hibernation is a state of torpor, where the core body temperature has dropped, the heart rate and breathing have slowed right down and normal activity has stopped. A hibernating hedgehog will be completely rolled up into a tight ball with no face visible.
Where do hedgehogs nest in the winter?
Hedgehogs aren’t fussy. A log pile, under your shed, in a compost heap or manmade hedgehog house can all provide a safe place for hedgehogs to nest in over winter. If you want to make your own hedgehog house in time for winter, download our instructions here.
Can I relocate my Hedgehog?
It takes a long time for a hedgehog to waken from hibernation so it will likely stay curled up whilst you relocate it. Don’t relocate it to a completely new area – hedgehogs know all the best places for nesting and food in their area. You will seriously disadvantage a hedgehog by relocating it to a completely different area.
How do I find out if my Hedgehog needs help?
If you are ever worried about the health or welfare of a hedgehog, please call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801 and they will be able to give you advice, and put you in touch with a local rescue centre if necessary. I hope this helps to answer some of your hibernation questions!