Hedgehogs in the garden? This is how you help them during the fall!
They eat enough until October to develop a thick layer of bacon to get through the winter safely. Unfortunately, bare concrete spots prevent some hedgehogs from finding enough food. They also often find too few places to hibernate safely. Everything starts with the construction of a hedgehog-friendly garden. With a hole in the fence, you welcome hedgehogs, they can travel up to five kilometers in one night. Plant a wide range of different native plants that attract all kinds of insects. The hedgehogs will thank you for the varied menu. Hedgehogs are not vegetarians, so you don't have to worry about your vegetable garden! Hedgehogs are more likely to like worms, ground beetles, caterpillars, spiders and millipedes. Wild corners with dead wood, leaves and weeds are popular with insects, hedgehogs and other garden dwellers. Even if you prefer an organized and beautifully maintained ornamental garden, there may be an invisible spot somewhere in the garden (eg. behind the hedge (or in a corner of the garden) where wild herbs, grasses, moss and other native plants can grow. Especially smaller heaps of leaves, thickets and dead wood, which simply remain under the hedge in autumn, are wonderful refuges for hedgehogs where they can overwinter.
Alternatively, you can also make or buy a hedgehog house. The entrance to the winter quarters must be a maximum of 8 to 10 centimeters wide and high. You can also hang a valve in front of the entrance to prevent rats from entering the hedgehog house. 1. A partition should be provided between the entrance and the “bedroom” with a small passage of approximately 8 to 10 cm that ensures that predators such as martens cannot attack the sleeping hedgehogs. 2. The hedgehog needs a little space: a space of 30 cm by 30 cm is ideal. In addition, it is best to choose a more sheltered spot in the garden for the hedgehog house. You can cover the house with some leaves, twigs and branches to offer the hedgehog as much protection as possible.
Helpful tips !