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Help hedgehogs survive the winter: build a hedgehog shelter

As the days shorten and become darker, many animals prepare for hibernation. This includes hedgehogs. However, it’s becoming harder for them to find a safe place to hibernate. So, it's time to roll up those sleeves and build them a shelter!

Hedgehogs are not only adorable, they’re also very useful animals. Their diet consists primarily of insects and worms. In other words: they’re a natural bug repellent for your vegetable garden. Now, how can you help them get through the winter?

hedgehog drinking a margarita

Provide extra food

Hedgehogs usually hibernate from November to about mid-March. To survive that period, they have to keep up their fat reserves. Winter can be especially hard on young hedgehogs. In autumn, it’s a good idea to provide them with some extra food. Hedgehogs are true carnivores, so dry chicken kibble for kittens is ideal, or specially formulated hedgehog feed. That's where they can get the necessary protein.

Just check that there are no dried mealworms in the hedgehog feed and whatever you do, do not give your hedgehog buddies cow’s milk. They’re allergic and it could give them diarrhoea or it could even be fatal.

Build a shelter

If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you can also help by building them a hedgehog shelter! You’ll be giving them a safe refuge for resting and nesting all year round, as well as for hibernating. Just follow our easy step-by-step plan to build your own hedgehog shelter.

A typical hedgehog shelter provides enough room for its resident and has a tunnel entrance. The latter is very important, because the tunnel works as a buffer against predators like cats, foxes and badgers. You’ll be giving your hedgehog friends a safe, compact sanctuary in your own garden.

maak zelf een egelhuis

Only use untreated wood

Because hedgehogs are sensitive to chemicals, it’s important to build the shelter using only untreated wood. However, untreated wood can’t take too much moisture, which is why it’s best to place the shelter somewhere it’s protected from the rain. Douglas fir wood would be ideal. The boards should be at least 12 mm thick for insulation. Just to be on the safe side, we opted for 18 mm thick wooden boards.

Can’t find a dry spot? You can use untreated plywood for the roof. Cover the shelter with branches or leaves for camouflage. Don’t position the entrance to the tunnel towards the north or northeast to prevent icy winds from getting in.

How to decorate the shelter

Hedgehog paws have soft pads, like a guinea pig, so they should have something soft to walk on. Cover the floor of the shelter with sand or loose dirt, topped with some dry leaves. Don’t use straw or hay, because that could get stuck between the hedgehog’s spines.

If the hedgehog has vacated the premises after winter, you can just clean its hotel room with some hot water. If your buddy is too fond of the place to leave, just put some extra (cat) food out. With any luck, the hedgehog will return later in the year to raise its babies!

egelhuisje

Ready? Let’s get to it!

Untreated wood at the ready? You’ll also need a battery-powered impact drill and screwdriver and an electric mitre saw and you’re all set!

These tools will help you finish the job in no time.

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