1. **Provide Shelter**: Create hiding spots for hedgehogs using piles of leaves, logs, or brush. You can also build or buy a hedgehog house that offers a safe space for them to sleep and raise their young.
2. **Access Points**: Ensure your garden has gaps in fences or walls (about 13cm x 13cm) to allow hedgehogs to roam freely between gardens. This is crucial for their foraging and breeding activities.
3. **Natural Food Sources**: Encourage a variety of insects and invertebrates by planting native flowers and avoiding pesticides. Hedgehogs love to eat beetles, slugs, and worms, so creating a natural habitat will help sustain their diet.
4. **Water Supply**: Provide a shallow dish of water for hedgehogs to drink, especially during dry spells. Make sure the dish is shallow enough for them to access easily.
5. **Avoid Chemicals**: Refrain from using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides in your garden, as these can be harmful to hedgehogs and their food sources.
6. **Compost Piles**: If you have a compost pile, keep it loose and accessible. Hedgehogs often forage through compost for insects, and it can also serve as a potential nesting site.
7. **Safe Gardening Practices**: When gardening, be cautious of hedgehogs that may be hiding in the underbrush. Check areas before using tools like strimmers or lawnmowers to avoid harming them.
By implementing these tips, you can create a welcoming environment for hedgehogs, helping to support their populations and promote biodiversity in your garden!
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