Encourage hedgehogs to visit your garden by doing this one thing in October
October is the end of the hedgehog foraging season, but there's still time to attract them to your garden
October marks the end of the hedgehog foraging season.
It's the time of year when they're most active, so you're most likely to see them in your garden. But although they're about to start hibernating for the winter there are steps you can take to encourage them into your garden.
And as the species is declining they have the added benefit for giving hedgehogs a much-needed boost. In a video shared on TikTok, gardening guru Deb shared some simple tips to help you attract them.
According to her, there are some easy ways you can draw them in. To help them visit, she said you just need to do one thing.
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Deb said: "Now, it may seem simple, but the first thing to do is make sure you have a hedgehog highway. Hedgehogs can roam up to one mile each night.
"If you have a fenced garden, make sure that there's a gap in the fence, or a gap under your garden gate. Provide shelter for the hedgehog.
"A log pile, compost heap or purpose-built house in a shaded spot will give hedgehogs a safe place to rest and hibernate. Provide food and water, not milk. Contrary to popular belief, milk is bad for hedgehogs. Do not leave milk out. Leave out fresh water."
She said you can also buy hedgehog biscuits which you can leave in the garden for them. This will give them some tasty food to indulge in.
Not to mention, she said hedgehogs also love gardens with leafy trees, so it's worth keeping this in mind. If you don't have these, Deb noted it may be worth considering planting some.
Why do hedgehogs like shelter?
Hedgehogs like to visit gardens as they offer a safe space along with food, water and shelter. These things are needed for rest and to help the animals raise young and hibernate safely.
They are normally attracted to quiet, dry and secluded areas found in gardens. Some examples of popular spots include compost heaps, log piles or under sheds and dense foliage.
This is why creating a "wild corner" with a pile of logs, leaves and garden debris is a good idea, as it provides ideal nesting material and shelter. You can also buy or build a purpose-built hedgehog house.
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If you're lighting the fire more at the moment, you may be glad to know they love log piles. as they offer both food and shelter. Log piles create a habitat for insects like beetles and woodlice, which are primary food sources for hedgehogs.
They're also a safe place for hedgehogs to hibernate, breed and rest as the piles offer shelter from predators. Homing some simple things in your garden can encourage them to stop by.