Hedgehog Awareness Week: How to Help Hedgehogs in Your Garden

Hedgehog Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of Britain’s most beloved (but increasingly threatened) garden visitors. At Chestnut Mill, we’re passionate about supporting wildlife and helping our customers make their gardens a haven for hedgehogs. Here’s how you can get involved and which products can make a real difference.

Hedgehog numbers in the UK have sadly declined in recent years due to habitat loss, busy roads, and the use of pesticides. Gardens can play a vital role in their survival, providing food, shelter, and safe spaces to roam. Even small changes can have a huge impact!

1. Provide Food and Water
Hedgehogs love a varied diet. You can help by leaving out fresh water and specialist hedgehog food. Avoid bread and milk, which can make them ill. Explore our range of hedgehog food and feeding stations for safe, nutritious options.

2. Create Safe Shelter
A simple log pile, compost heap, or dedicated hedgehog house offers a safe spot for nesting and hibernation. Our hedgehog houses and shelters are designed to keep hedgehogs snug and protected from predators.

3. Make Your Garden Accessible
Hedgehogs roam far and wide in search of food. Ensure your garden fences have small gaps (about 13cm x 13cm) at the base to allow them to pass through safely.

4. Avoid Chemicals
Pesticides and slug pellets can harm hedgehogs directly or reduce their natural food sources. Opt for wildlife-friendly gardening methods wherever possible.

5. Check Before You Strim or Bonfire
Always check long grass, compost heaps, and bonfire piles for sleeping hedgehogs before starting work.

Support your local hedgehogs with our handpicked range of hedgehog food, shelters, and accessories. Whether you’re looking for nutritious food, sturdy houses, or feeding bowls, you’ll find everything you need at Chestnut Mill to help hedgehogs thrive.