Helping Hedgehogs in Summer: Support for Garden Wildlife

A healthy hedgehog is active at night and well nourished. Summer changes this. Heat and drought make life difficult for these insect-eaters. Their natural food becomes scarce. You can turn your garden into an oasis for these helpful animals.

With a few simple measures, you can provide hedgehogs with water, shelter and food. Avoid chemicals. Let some areas of your garden grow wild. This helps not only hedgehogs, but many other garden animals too.

Why do hedgehogs need extra help in summer?

Hedgehogs eat insects, worms and slugs. A long dry spell makes the ground hard. Earthworms retreat deep into the soil. The number of beetles and larvae falls. Hedgehogs have to search for longer and use more energy.

At the same time, they need water. Natural puddles dry up. Dehydration becomes a serious danger. Young hedgehogs born in late summer have an especially difficult time. They need to build up fat reserves for winter.

Modern gardens often offer too little shelter. Neatly trimmed lawns and sterile flower beds are a desert for hedgehogs. They need hiding places during the day. They need undisturbed corners for sleeping and raising their young.

How can you provide hedgehogs with water in summer?

Place several shallow bowls around the garden. Ceramic or terracotta bowls are ideal. They keep the water slightly cooler. The bowl must be stable so that it cannot tip over.

Place the water bowl in a shady, quiet spot. A location near a hedge or under a bush is perfect. Change the water daily. Clean the bowl regularly without chemical cleaners.

Deep containers such as buckets or water butts are deadly traps. Hedgehogs can fall in and drown. Always cover such containers securely. Before emptying paddling pools or similar items, check that no animal is inside.

Choosing the right location for a water station

Hedgehogs are shy. They avoid open, brightly lit areas. Do not place the bowl in the middle of the lawn. Look for an area along the edge of your garden. A spot with cover on two sides provides security.

Being close to a potential hiding place is important. A pile of leaves, a bush or a hedgehog house nearby encourages hedgehogs to drink. They do not feel exposed.

“In midsummer, water is often scarcer than food. A reliable water source can be vital to a hedgehog’s survival. It should be designed as naturally as possible and checked daily.”

What should you feed hedgehogs during hot weather?

Supplementary feeding is controversial, but it can be useful during prolonged drought. It should supplement natural foraging, not replace it. Feed in the evening, when hedgehogs become active.

Choose protein-rich food. Special hedgehog food from specialist retailers is ideal. Alternatively, use high-quality wet cat food with a high meat content. Mix it with porridge oats or wheat bran.

Hard-boiled egg or unseasoned scrambled egg are also well accepted. Offer only small portions. Remove leftovers the next morning so that you do not attract rats. Place the food beside the water bowl.

Additional advice

Attract natural hedgehog food to your garden. A colourful wildflower meadow with native species attracts insects.

Aster seeds, mix, colourful asters, summer flowers

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and purple allium

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are excellent sources of food for bees and other insects.

Food you must avoid

Milk and dairy products are strictly off-limits. Bread, seasoned leftovers and sweets can also harm hedgehogs. Their digestive system is specialised for protein-rich insect food. Deviations can lead to serious health problems.

Never feed directly from the tin. Put the food on a clean plate or in a shallow bowl. Tin edges are sharp and can injure hedgehogs. Do not use plastic bowls that can easily tip over.

How can you create a hedgehog-friendly summer garden?

A wildlife-friendly garden is the best way to help. It provides food, water and shelter all in one place. Reduce the amount of manicured lawn. Create wild corners.

Simply leave piles of leaves and brushwood where they are. They make ideal daytime hiding places and nurseries. A pile of hedge or tree cuttings is all it takes. Place it in a quiet, lightly shaded spot.

„A garden for hedgehogs is not an untidy garden, but a living garden. A rich variety of structures is key. Hedges, wildflower areas and deadwood are the foundations of a safe hedgehog refuge.“

Plant native shrubs and perennials. They attract more insects than exotic ornamental plants. Natural garden design starts with choosing the right plants. Avoid chemical pesticides and insecticides. They poison the food chain.

Eliminate hazards in the summer garden

Check the area before mowing with a lawn mower or brush cutter. Hedgehogs curl up when threatened rather than running away. Young hedgehogs in particular are well camouflaged. Do not mow at dusk or at night.

Protect cellar shafts, pits and swimming pools with sturdy covers or ramps. Hedgehogs can fall in and may not be able to get out again. Nets for fruit or vegetables should be pulled taut so they do not become traps.

Take care when turning over the compost heap. Hedgehogs often use it as a nest. Before doing so, carefully probe it with a garden fork to warn any occupants. It is better to leave the compost undisturbed during summer.

How can you tell if a hedgehog needs help?

A healthy hedgehog is nocturnal. If you find a hedgehog lying around during the day and appearing listless, this is a warning sign. A hedgehog in need of help often barely curls up or appears disoriented.

A visible indentation behind the head, known as the “hunger line”, is a sure sign that a hedgehog is underweight. A well-fed hedgehog has a pear-shaped body. Keep an eye on young hedgehogs that are out on their own in late summer.

A hedgehog with obvious injuries, a severe parasite infestation or persistent diarrhoea needs professional help. Handle the hedgehog with gardening gloves. Place it in a high-sided cardboard box with air holes and a towel underneath.

Contact a hedgehog rescue centre or a vet experienced in wildlife immediately. Do not try to nurse the hedgehog back to health yourself. This is a job for experts with the right training and authorisation.

First aid at the place where the hedgehog was found

Offer the weakened hedgehog water immediately. If it does not drink by itself, use a pipette or a syringe without a needle. Let the water drip into the side of its mouth. Do not force it.

Warm a chilled hedgehog slowly. Place a hot-water bottle wrapped in a towel under one half of the box. This allows the hedgehog to crawl away if it becomes too warm. Do not force-feed a weakened hedgehog.

Keep the hedgehog somewhere quiet and dark. Avoid noise and stress. Take it to a qualified wildlife rescue centre or vet. Make a note of the exact location where it was found. A rehabilitated hedgehog must later be returned to precisely the same place.

Long-term help: Your garden as a hedgehog habitat

Helping hedgehogs in summer is important. Even better is a garden that provides shelter all year round. Plan for the long term. Create routes into neighbouring gardens.

Hedgehogs travel several kilometres each night. They need connected habitats. A small 10x10 cm hole in the garden fence is enough. This creates a green corridor network for many animals.

Plant a hedge made from native species such as hornbeam, hawthorn or hazel. It provides food, shelter and a protected route. Combine it with a species-rich perennial border.

A garden pond with a shallow bank is a source of drinking water for everyone. Make the edge of the pond gently sloping or add a gravel ramp. This allows hedgehogs and other animals to drink safely without drowning. Do not stock the pond with fish that eat amphibians.

Hedgehogs are fascinating visitors. With little effort, you can turn your garden into a safe haven. You are supporting nature right on your doorstep. The spiky garden visitors will reward you with a healthy ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do hedgehogs eat in summer?

Hedgehogs are insectivores. Their natural summer diet consists of beetles, larvae, caterpillars, slugs and earthworms. They find less food during dry spells. You can supplement their diet with specialist hedgehog food, wet cat food or plain scrambled egg. Milk is harmful and causes diarrhoea.

How can I provide water for hedgehogs in summer?

Place several shallow, stable bowls of fresh water around the garden. Choose quiet, shaded spots near hedges or shrubs. Clean the bowls daily. A flat stone in the bowl helps insects climb out and prevents them from drowning. Deep containers are dangerous.

Can hedgehogs drink milk in summer?

No. Hedgehogs cannot digest milk sugar (lactose). Milk causes severe diarrhoea, which can lead to death from dehydration. Always provide fresh water only. The myth of the saucer of milk is life-threatening for hedgehogs.

How can I create hedgehog-friendly hiding places?

Leave piles of leaves and brushwood in a corner of the garden. Hedgehogs find shelter under shrubs, hedges or in a wildlife-friendly area with wildflowers. Wooden hedgehog houses or piles of stones with gaps make ideal daytime hiding places. Do not mow too closely.

When do hedgehogs need human help in summer?

A hedgehog needs immediate help if it is lying around during the day, appears listless, is emaciated (with an indentation behind the head) or barely curls up. Contact a hedgehog rescue centre or a vet. Healthy adult hedgehogs are nocturnal and look well nourished.