Gardeners are being urged to cut holes in their fence as autumn turns into winter
Gardeners are being urged to cut holes in their fence as autumn turns into winter(Image: Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images)
Gardeners are being encouraged to drill or cut holes in the bottom of their fences this autumn to assist a beloved garden visitor that has become seriously endangered.
Hedgehog populations have declined dramatically across the UK in recent years, plummeting from 30 million in the 1950s to fewer than an estimated 1 million today. The species has suffered greatly due to environmental changes alongside modern gardening, household and lifestyle choices regarding how we operate and maintain our homes and gardens.
However, gardeners should be making every effort to entice these spiky creatures into their gardens this summer – as hedgehogs are actually excellent pest controllers. Hedgehogs, whilst being adorably charming, excel at devouring the various pests that gardeners constantly struggle to control and keep away from treasured fruit and vegetable crops or flower beds, reports the Express.
During September and October, hedgehogs are actively preparing for hibernation, following the breeding season in June and July, although hedgehogs frequently produce a second litter of hoglets in August and September.
Website Spike’s Hedgehog Food states: “While June and July are the typical birthing season for hoglets, after the mating season in early summer, hedgehogs often have a second litter of hoglets in August and September. This time of the year is crucial for hedgehogs, as they need to build up fat stores ahead of hibernation in October or November.
“However, with less food and water available due to urban sprawl and the use of pesticides killing insect populations – which are their main food source – many aren’t able to build up the reserves they need to make it through winter.”
They add that creating a small opening beneath your garden fence represents the most crucial action you can take to assist hedgehogs. They explained: “Leave a small gap in your garden fence to allow them to get in and out easily.
“You could even chat with your neighbours and encourage them to do the same. This creates a safe Hedgehog Highway through your gardens, which is crucial to their mating rituals and feeding habits.”
The RSPCA explains that hedgehogs are constantly roaming, but require assistance to access and exit gardens. They noted: “Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s most recognisable and well-loved wild animals. Hedgehogs are a gardener’s friend, as they eat beetles, caterpillars, worms and other invertebrates.
“Did you know as many as 10 different hedgehogs may visit a garden over several nights? This could mean ‘your hedgehog’ is actually a number of different ones visiting at different times. The European hedgehog is one of around 16 different species found throughout the world. They are also the species that are most often admitted to our specialist wildlife rehabilitation centres.
“Hedgehogs can travel around a mile every night, so they may need help to get into and out of your garden. Try cutting holes in fences, removing bricks from walls, or digging tunnels under the garden boundary. Hedgehogs can travel through gaps as small as 13x13cm, so these gaps don’t need to be large.
Hedgehogs are hugely beneficial to gardens(Image: Getty)
“Replacing garden fencing for native hedgerows provides access through your garden for hedgehogs. Hedgerows also provide shelter for other wildlife too. Remember to check with your neighbour before making a highway.”
Regrettably, hedgehog populations have declined dramatically in recent years, with one contributing factor being the installation of solid, impermeable barriers and fencing around properties.
Wildlife retailer NHBS explains: “Research suggests that this is partly because it is becoming harder for hedgehogs to move freely due to an increase in the number of solid walls and fences being erected around gardens.
“This reduces the available foraging area and so restricts the amount of food that they can eat as well as reducing the possibility of meeting a mate. Creating a hole in a garden wall or fence will allow your local hedgehogs to pass through from garden to garden safely.”
This can be achieved simply by cutting a small, approximately hedgehog-sized opening at the base of your fence, or alternatively lifting the entire panel by several inches to allow hedgehogs to slip beneath (whilst ensuring the gap isn’t large enough for unwanted human access). Alternatively, you could simply trim a few inches off the bottom of your fence to allow hedgehogs to slip under.
While this might seem like an invitation for cats, they can easily leap over even six-foot fences, so it won’t increase feline intrusions. If you’re keen on doing it properly, NHBS offers a hedgehog hole fence plate that adds a sturdy metal-reinforced gap at the bottom of your fence.
NHBS advises: “A hole measuring 13cm by 13cm is the right size for a hedgehog to pass through but too small for most pets. Once you have made your hole in the fence or wall, you can fix the Eco Hedgehog Hole Plate to the fence, ensuring that the hole does not get blocked or stretched.
“The plate has six screw holes, three along each side, which can be used to fix the plate to your fence or wall. Additional holes can be made in the plastic if required.”
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