The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping, the heating is starting to heat up and warm blankets come into play. We humans have it pretty easy, but wild animals have it much worse. Therefore, it will be appropriate to take care of at least some of them. Perhaps such a hedgehog will certainly appreciate our help.
A prickly little tenant in someone’s garden will soon face a crucial life test in which he will either pass or lose his life. We should help him, because he also helps us for a change, when rids beds of slugs and other crop enemies. In order for him to find a quiet and safe place for winter sleep, we can prepare him a simple bed out of gratitude.
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It will be easy
We don’t have to worry that preparing a wintering place for a hedgehog is a complex task worthy of a skilled carpenter. On the contrary – even a child can handle its “construction” and we don’t need any special materials for it. Creating a functional and additionally well-insulated space for winter sleep is really unexpectedly simpleand everything will only take us a little while.
Use an old box
First, let’s look at the hedgehog’s natural attempt to hide from the winter. What hiding places is he looking for? They will mostly be leaves and similar material. We should proceed in the same way when building an artificial shelter. We can use an old cardboard box as a base, but even an unnecessary plastic box will be suitable. The size of such a space should be around 30 x 30 centimeters.
A safe entrance is important
First, create a safe entrance about 13 centimeters in diameter, to which it is a good idea to attach an entrance tunnel about 20 centimeters long. Again, it can be a piece of cardboard, or a paper or plastic tube. If you manage to create a slightly curved tunnel so that the wind cannot blow directly into the nest area, the hedgehog will have a wonderful villa.
Insulate with natural materials
Next comes the necessary thermal insulation. Therefore, fill the inside of the box with dry material – ideal is oak or beech leaves, which do not mold so easily. You can add, for example, torn newspapers, but also dry grass and other natural material. O „” and the completion of the entire lair will be taken care of by its future inhabitant himself.
Watch out for water!
At this point we are almost done, but we still need to protect the winter shelter from water. Therefore, place it in a quiet and dry place in the garden, ideally under thick bushes, trees, or close to the fence. This will protect it from rain and of course, if possible, from a layer of possible snow. If you used cardboard, cover the entire structure with plastic or old waterproof boards. Finally, just mask everything with leaves, branches, and you can also throw in a few handfuls of dirt to make the shelter as inconspicuous as possible. Don’t worry, the hedgehog will find it despite all these safety measures.
He must not even touch the milk
Although our efforts to help the hedgehog are of course commendable, nothing should be overdone. And therefore let us remember well that he we must never, really never offer either milk or other dairy products. If we would like to improve him, we can offer him cat pellets, or even special food specifically for hedgehogs, which can also be bought in specialized stores. With your help, the hedgehog will surely survive the dangerous period and will become your reliable helper in the fight against pests in the garden next year.
