Building winter quarters for hedgehogs - 5 ideas presented

Table Of Contents:

Anonim

Hedgehogs don't have it easy in winter because they don't have warm fur. So you should offer them winter quarters.

As soon as autumn arrives, every prudent gardener should also think about the hedgehogs, which urgently need a place to hibernate on cold days (from mid-October) and at the latest when there is a thick blanket of snow. As a gardener, you can even benefit from this: the hedgehog is a natural enemy of pests, such as snails.

A normal pile of leaves is not enough

For the winter quarters, many often rake up the leaves that have fallen from the trees, under which the hedgehog can then hide. This is not only a great thing for the hedgehog, but also a really sensible use of the autumn leaves. But don't let a gust of wind destroy the splendor, then some hedgehogs quickly have a big problem! We would therefore like to present you with a few ideas on how to build stable winter quarters for hedgehogs.

First of all:

Hedgehogs will only visit a garden if the natural environment is right. This includes native shrubs, compost heaps, piles of wood, lush lawns and the like. A tidy garden can hardly expect a visit from a hedgehog.

Building winter quarters for hedgehogs - 5 ideas presented

Idea No. 1 - Build a stable foliage hiding place:

For this purpose, you have to put a wire mesh available in a specialist shop over an existing pile of leaves (press the tips well into the ground), cover the whole thing again with brushwood and notch an opening hatch on the side by hand.

Tip:
The hedgehog looks for this type of dwelling all by itself. Especially since the foliage quarters look quite natural, which hedgehogs clearly prefer.

Idea No. 2 - digging a hollow in the ground:

You can also set up an alternative winter quarters by digging up a small hollow in the ground. It is best to pad this natural living variant with some moss and leaves and cover it with brushwood. Then all you have to do is wait until a hedgehog nests in it all by itself.

Idea No. 3 - Offer the hedgehog house as a permanent dwelling:

in theGarden stores (or here) even offer special hedgehog houses, which are visually very appealing, but are quite expensive to buy. The brand self-made is easier to design. You can build such a hedgehog house yourself, for example by placing four bricks in a square (plan for an opening slot) and covering them with a stone slab (e.g. exposed concrete slab).

This is just one of many possibilities. Of course, you can also build such a hedgehog house out of wooden panels. The important thing is that you always pad all hedgehog houses with enough nesting material!

Idea No. 4 - Offer a hedge as a shelter:

If you only cut back dense hedges in the spring, then hedgehogs can look for a home for the winter there on their own. You should then pile up the rest of the leaves directly in front of such hedges, which usually means that they are sheltered from the wind.

Tip:
You can work rotted leaves directly around the hedge in spring as a natural fertilizer.

Idea No. 5 - Overwinter young, weak and sick hedgehogs in the house:

Very young animals, but also weak and sick hedgehogs should be overwintered in freezing temperatures in a cool room or in an insulated dwelling on the balcony or terrace. However, it is best to always consult a veterinarian, because the small animals often have to be freed from pests (ticks, fleas, etc.).

Tip:
Rehabilitated animals should be released back into the wild at the place where they were found in spring if possible. However, it is important that you keep some food available in the field for the first few days.

Clean hedgehog quarters

In the spring - usually in May, when the hedgehogs start catching pests again - you should then thoroughly clean the winter quarters. The use of hot water, which does not contain any harmful substances, is ideal for dwellings. It is therefore best to avoid chemical cleaning agents.

From late summer you can pad the hedgehog house with fresh nesting material, such as straw or leaves, so that the hedgehogs quickly feel at home again.

Hedgehog protection measures all year round

» Offer food:

The hedgehog loves the garden compost, which provides him with plenty of food and at the same time a natural shelter. If there is no compost or you cannot make a compost heapyou should feed the hedgehogs in the fall to compensate for their enormous energy requirements.

Hedgehogs usually even interrupt their hibernation several times to get energy in the form of food. That's why you should always put some dry food near the winter quarters.

Important:
Never give hedgehogs milk because it will give them diarrhoea. Water and a little ripe fruit are better.

» Cover basement shafts:

Many hedgehogs are exposed to dangerous situations in the garden all year round, which in some cases could easily be avoided. Covered basement shafts protect the hedgehog from involuntary entry. Because here the animals perish miserably.

» Do not touch the hedgehog:

Furthermore, you should always watch hedgehogs from afar. You should only touch and care for the animal if you see that it is sick.

Link tip:

Of course, it's not just the hedgehogs that need a little help in winter. Even the birds don't really have it easy in the cold season. So here is our link tip:

» Feeding birds in winter - 8 tips