From the seasoned wildlife lover to the new hedgehog enthusiast, we get lots of questions about helping out our spiky garden visitors. So, we’ve rounded up some of the most common questions about hedgehogs – and how Vale’s Hedgehog Food can help!
🦔 Q: How do I know if I have hedgehogs in my garden?
A: Great question! One of the most obvious signs is finding hedgehog droppings. You can also use a wildlife camera, especially if you set it up near a wild or quiet patch of your garden. Hedgehogs tend to wander through at night, so check your footage in the morning. Look for snuffling noises, little paths through undergrowth, and small holes in the soil where they’ve been hunting insects.
🦔 Q: I’d love to feed the hedgehogs, but I’m worried about attracting rats or neighbourhood cats. What’s the best way to stop that?
A: You’re not alone – this is a very common concern. The best solution is to use a hedgehog feeding station. You can buy one, easily make your own, or even enter our competition to win one!
Making one yourself is very easy. All you need is a plastic storage box or wooden crate with an entrance hole just big enough for a hedgehog (about 13cm x 13cm).
This design keeps out most cats, although rats can still sneak in – unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed rat-proof solution, but don’t let that discourage you. Feeding hedgehogs plays a huge part in their survival, and while rats are a nuisance, they are also part of the ecosystem and often prey for owls or foxes. Whatever you do – please don’t use poison, as it harms far more than just rats.
🦔 Q: I’ve put out two wooden hedgehog houses – how far apart should they be?
A: Hedgehogs are solitary animals, but they’re quite tolerant of each other’s presence. You don’t need to place the houses miles apart – just ensure they’re not directly next to each other. Tuck them into wild or shaded spots, such as under hedgerows, behind shrubs or near compost heaps.
During breeding season, hedgehogs can coexist peacefully in the same garden. As long as your wooden houses are specifically designed for hedgehogs – with dry, safe interiors and narrow entrances – they’re doing a great job.
🦔 Q: I want to add a wild patch to my garden to attract hedgehogs. What should I plant?
A: You’re thinking like a hedgehog! The key is to make your garden a haven for natural prey, like beetles, worms and caterpillars. While hedgehogs do eat slugs and snails, they’re not their first choice.
You don’t need to get fancy – just focus on native plants, wildflower and ground cover like brambles or low shrubs. Adding log piles, leaf litter or compost heaps also helps, as they create homes for tasty creepy-crawlies. Hedgehogs love shady, sheltered spots, so don’t worry if your patch looks a little untidy – the wilder, the better!
🦔 Q: I saw a hedgehog in my garden during the day – should I be worried?
A: Yes, possibly. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so if you spot one out in daylight and it’s moving slowly, wobbling, or lying still, it could be unwell and may need help.
If you’re sure something is wrong or the hedgehog looks visibly injured and isn’t moving, you can attempt to pick them up. Using gloves or a towel, carefully pick up the hedgehog and place it in a high-sided box with a warm towel, and contact your local wildlife rescue as soon as possible.
However, if it’s just briefly out and about looking busy – especially in spring and summer during feeding or nesting time – it might be okay. Trust your instincts: if it looks like it’s struggling, it probably is.
🦔 Bonus Tip: Why Choose Vale’s Hedgehog Food?
We’ve carefully crafted our hedgehog food to be nutritious, safe and irresistible to hedgehogs – without attracting the wrong kind of wildlife. Our blends are packed with protein, meat-based ingredients, and no added nasties. Whether you’re feeding in a station or leaving a little out near a hedgehog house, it’s a great way to support your local hedgehogs.
Got a question we haven’t answered? Drop us a message – we love hearing from fellow hedgehog heroes!
