Hedgehog Homes
Create a safe place for hedgehogs to sleep during the day, hide away their hoglets, or hibernate in over winter.
If you want to add accommodation for hedgehogs in your garden, then a hedgehog nest box is the perfect option. Our recommendation is for one with an internal tunnel which reduces draughts and ensures they stay toasty warm and dry.
Igloos, in our opinion, are not suitable winter nests as they do not exclude draughts or provide any insulation, and in heavy rain they are more prone to flooding. Additionally there have been safety concerns raised by other rescues regarding the mesh within some of the hedgehog igloos.
If you want to have a go at making a hedgehog nesting box yourself check out our free design with measurements and instructions.
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Your hedgehog homes questions answered…
Where should I site my hedgehog box in the garden?
It’s important to place the hedgehog box in a quiet, sheltered and shady spot, ideally with lots of undergrowth around. It can take hedgehogs a little while to start using a new box but once it has been in place for a few weeks and left undisturbed they are more likely to take up residence. You can add a few dry leaves or a handful of hay to get them started.
How do I know if my hedgehog box is being used?
The easiest way to gauge if your box is being used is to place a couple of fine twigs across the entrance way, this will allow you to see if anyone is going in and out of the box.
I want to clean out my hedgehog box what’s the best time to do this?
If the box is in use then it is best left undisturbed, the hedgehog should be keeping its own nest clean and maintained. If the box is empty then a spring and early autumn clean is great, just avoid using any harsh disinfectants and that the box is well aired and dried after cleaning.
Avoid disturbing boxes May through to early September as this is hoglet season!
What nesting material should I put in the box?
A handful of dried leaves or hay is a great start for a nest box, hedgehogs are great nest builders and will carry in lots of natural materials to make a nest. If your box is in use you can always leave a pile of dried leaves or hay nearby so that the hedgehog can easily add more to make a bigger nest for winter.
Should I put food and water in the hedgehog box?
We would recommend keeping the nest box and food separate – they are very messy eaters and it is important that they keep their nest clean and that the nest box is disturbed as little as possible. A cat-proof hedgehog feeding station can easily be made from an upturned stacker box and a couple of bricks.