Gardeners have been urged to do one thing before starting their pre-summer work (Image: Getty)
As warmer weather sweeps across the UK, millions of homeowners are preparing to tidy up their gardens ahead of summer. But experts are warning that a simple spring clean could have devastating consequences for one of Britain’s most loved animals.
Campaigners say hedgehogs emerging from hibernation are at serious risk as gardeners begin clearing debris, mowing lawns and cutting back overgrown areas. Experts warn that many people could be unknowingly harming hedgehogs by failing to check their gardens before starting work, with the small mammals known to shelter in long grass, under piles of leaves, or among fallen twigs.
Andy Simms, from MyBuilder.com said: “The winter season is well and truly over, so, understandably, millions of Brits will be starting to think of garden tasks they can complete now ahead of summer.
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The advent of spring can be a dangerous time for the popular animal (Image: Getty)
“But it’s not just us that might be outside, hedgehogs may be, too, and they’re not always easy to spot.
“Before doing any garden task, check for any hedgehogs that could be hiding in your lawn. There are signs to watch out for, such as small, black droppings, tiny hand-like footprints in mud, and loud grunting noises, particularly at night. If you notice any of these, you may have one of these small creatures in your garden.
“Our data found that 31% of Brits said that hedgehogs were their favourite animal, and, thankfully, if you would like to help protect hedgehogs, there are jobs you can do, such as leaving some areas in your garden wild, creating a small hole in your fence, or even building a hedgehog home.
“If you’re unsure of how to complete any of these tasks, a gardener may be able to help.”
Awake from their winter hibernation, hedgehogs have just begun to forage for food and shelter. And, with many of our lawns still awaiting the first mow of the year, our long grass is a perfect spot for these small creatures.
Hedgehogs also often find shelter in untidy parts of your garden, especially under fallen twigs and rotting plant matter – common sights in British gardens following the autumn and winter seasons.
More heavy-duty tools like lawn mowers and strimmers pose an even greater danger, with thousands of hedgehogs believed to be killed each year.
Mr Simms added that there are simple ways to help protect the species, including leaving parts of the garden wild, creating small gaps in fences to allow hedgehogs to pass through, or even building a dedicated hedgehog home.
The warning comes amid a sharp decline in hedgehog numbers, with populations falling by as much as 75% over the past two decades.
Research by MyBuilder.com found 61% of Brits have noticed fewer hedgehogs in their area, while one in four say they have never seen one in the wild.
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