Help the hedgehogs this summer

Summer is an extremely busy time of year for the humble hedgehog. They will be stocking up their fat reserves for winter, fighting off other hedgehogs from their patch and trying to find a mate. They are also your garden’s best friend as they will eat pesky slugs and other pests. Here are some tips on how you can help hedgehogs thrive:

• Create a hedgehog feeding station – you can use wet or dry dog or cat food, or you can buy specialist hedgehog food. Avoid fish flavoured food and do not put out milk for hedgehogs as are lactose intolerant and it will make them poorly.
• Hedgehogs need fresh water and in summer, but in towns and cities that can be hard to find. Leaving out a shallow dish of fresh water will keep your hogs happy.
• Check before you strim! One of the biggest threats to hedgehogs are garden strimmers and lawnmowers. Before you get stuck into your gardening make sure you thoroughly check the area for hedgehogs first!