Hedgehogs go house-hunting in the autumn and so this is the ideal time of year to set one up. To make a really simple hedgehog home, all you need is a large cardboard box. Cut two side vents into the two walls of the box and a large entrance for the hedgehog to walk in. Next, find a place suitable to put the hedgehog home. A quiet part of your garden under thick vegetation is best. Somewhere behind a shed if you have one would be perfect! Place the box south-facing if you can. Finally, tear up some newspaper and place it inside to make a cosy and dry floor. Add some straw on top if you have it. If you box is not under vegetation, you might want to cover it with a plastic bag (leaving the vents and entrance open) and then place leaves and deadwood on top.
You can also make a hedgehog house out of a more sturdy plastic container or even pieces of wood if you have them. Click here to read instructions from the Wildlife Trusts.
Linking gardens together is also a great way of making areas more hedgehog friendly. Did you know that hedgehogs can travel up to one mile every night?! Ensure that you have small holes at the bottom of your fence that are free of leaves and twigs for hedgehogs to pass through. See if you can get your whole street on board to help make a hedgehog highway! Click here to find out more from the Hedgehog Street campaign.
