Protect hedgehogs from illness and injury.

Some common garden problems that cause illnesses and death to hedgehogs:

Slug Pellets & Pesticides Slug pellets are poisonous and cause death. If it is absolutely necessary to use pellets place them in a small pipe where hedgehogs cannot enter. All the slugs in and around the pipe must be removed on a daily basis. Other pesticides are also poisonous and should be used sparingly, or better still not at all.

Garden and Household Waste Hedgehogs will try to eat almost anything they find in the garden. Including the remaining contents of tins, yoghurts and plastic cups. Plastic rings that hold cans together should always be cut up before disposing of. Hedgehogs will tear into household rubbish bins, so please keep these off the ground.

Drain covers should be used to prevent hedgehogs becoming trapped.  sheds, greenhouses or garages left open should be checked for hedgehogs that may have crept in and made a nest, before the doors are permanently closed.

Gardening Accidents Care and consideration needs to be given when mowing or strimming long grass and weeds, as hedgehogs will often make a nest in this material. Strimming accidents occur each year with fatal results. Pampas grass is a favourite for hedgehogs to hide in, as this provides a warm nesting material. Please check for hedgehogs before burning the grass at the end of the season. Bonfires that have been gathering rubbish for a while attracts hedgehogs to build a nest. Check these thoroughly before setting fire to any rubbish in the garden.

Garden ponds and pools Hedgehogs can swim and attracted to garden ponds and paddling pools but they will drown if they cannot get out. Always make sure there are places that a hedgehog can easily exit a pond by providing rocks or a slope.

Netting Netting of all kinds is a major hazard, so if these have to be used for fruit and vegetables, for example, please make sure they are checked daily for any animal that might be stuck.