Post by David on Sept 7, 2021 16:37:45 GMT
HEDGEHOGS: The Latin word for hedgehogs is Erinaceus and our own British hedgehog is scientifically known as Erinaceus europaeus; and occurs throughout most of Europe. Hedgehogs are well established in our urban habitat and can, somewhat surprisingly, survive very well in Haywards Heath, making extremely good use of cemeteries, railway land, wasteland and allotments as long as they are joined up with others.
During the last Heatwave: I often started early in the morning on my allotment and would knock of before the sun got to hot for me (I turn red like a lobster). And was fortunate to come upon two mating – They are noisy - I left them to it – But it made me realise that as we are preparing a wildflower garden to America Lane, we should consider the bigger picture and include our wildlife as well.
Description: I am sure you all know what a hedgehog looks like.
Diet: Hedgehogs are certainly noisy eaters (I can vouch they are nosier mating) as people who have encountered these animals will testify; but what do they actually eat?
Allotment Visitors: At the risk of disappointing some people, it is worth mentioning the fact that hedgehogs tend to ‘do the rounds’ and visit several areas. Ten or more different individuals may visit your patch over several nights, which could mean that ‘your hedgehog’ is in fact probably a number of different individuals visiting at different times.
Helping your best Friends: The best ways of assisting hedgehogs are by helping them avoid man-made hazards and providing them with suitable places to nest, especially in the winter
Slug Pellets: are poisonous and should not be used. If absolutely necessary, pellets should be placed in a pipe or under a slate that hedgehogs cannot get to.
Dangers: Hedgehogs can become entangled in nets, causing death by starvation. Roll up the net well above ground when not in use.
Hedgehogs on the Allotment; The hedgehog is known as ‘the gardener’s friend’ as it will eat slugs, beetles, caterpillars etc., and does no harm, so if you have a garden a hedgehog is to be encouraged. They should not be kept in captivity but regarded as welcome visitors.
Parasites: Fleas are a normal occurrence in wild animals and hedgehogs are no exception.
Hibernation: If you want to attract wildlife to your allotment ensure there is easy access for them, leave wild areas and avoid ‘tidying up’ too much.
Now I have to build a couple of nesting boxes
Regards
David
Plot 18
During the last Heatwave: I often started early in the morning on my allotment and would knock of before the sun got to hot for me (I turn red like a lobster). And was fortunate to come upon two mating – They are noisy - I left them to it – But it made me realise that as we are preparing a wildflower garden to America Lane, we should consider the bigger picture and include our wildlife as well.
Description: I am sure you all know what a hedgehog looks like.
- The hedgehog’s back and sides are covered in 25mm (1 inch) long spines (which are really modified hairs)
- These are absent from the face, chest, belly, throat and legs which are covered with a coarse, grey-brown fur.
- There are approximately 5,000/7,000 spines on an average adult hedgehog.
- What many people do not know is that a hedgehog has a small tail.
Diet: Hedgehogs are certainly noisy eaters (I can vouch they are nosier mating) as people who have encountered these animals will testify; but what do they actually eat?
- They eat a lot of beetles, along with caterpillars, earthworms and other vertebrates.
- Most people are aware that hedgehogs are mostly insect eaters.
- However, many people put out a saucer of meat-based pet food for their garden friends.
- The hedgehog will treat this as a welcome supplement to its normal diet and will not go hungry if, for some reason, the food is not put out.
- Always make sure that a dish of water is available especially during the summer months or in extreme weather conditions
Allotment Visitors: At the risk of disappointing some people, it is worth mentioning the fact that hedgehogs tend to ‘do the rounds’ and visit several areas. Ten or more different individuals may visit your patch over several nights, which could mean that ‘your hedgehog’ is in fact probably a number of different individuals visiting at different times.
Helping your best Friends: The best ways of assisting hedgehogs are by helping them avoid man-made hazards and providing them with suitable places to nest, especially in the winter
Slug Pellets: are poisonous and should not be used. If absolutely necessary, pellets should be placed in a pipe or under a slate that hedgehogs cannot get to.
- Dead slugs must be removed daily.
- It will be illegal to use metaldehyde slug pellets in the UK from April 2022 and it is already illegal to sell them.
- Use other pesticides sparingly;- or better still not at all, you never know what else they might kill or make sick.
Dangers: Hedgehogs can become entangled in nets, causing death by starvation. Roll up the net well above ground when not in use.
- Keep pea netting 22-30cm (9-12 inches) off the ground so hedgehogs can pass safely underneath them and plants will grow up to the netting.
- Legs can also be caught in the gaps between logs in rolls of log edging.
- When tidying your patch, take care when moving piles of leaves and rubbish as these are ideal places for a hedgehog to make its nest.
- Hedgehogs are inquisitive and will try to eat almost anything, a trait that can be harmful to them.
- Having been attracted by the remaining contents, hedgehogs have been found with their heads stuck in tins, yoghurt pots and plastic cups.
- Always cut the plastic rings of “4 and 6 pack” holders.
- To prevent such unnecessary deaths, litter should be disposed of in a proper manner.
- Keep bags used for putting out rubbish off the ground. This will prevent hedgehogs reaching them and tearing the bag.
- Bean trenches, footings, fencing holes are all potential death traps for hedgehogs.
- Provide an escape route, e.g., a sloping plank, or cover the holes so hedgehogs do not become trapped.
- Keep shed, greenhouse and garage doors closed at night, so hedgehogs are not tempted to make a nest in them, and perhaps become trapped in them when doors are permanently closed.
- Store chemicals safely.
- When replacing or installing walls or fencing provide a 13x13cm (5×5”) hole so hedgehogs can pass from your plot into your neighbours plot without difficulty.
- Only use environmentally safe wood preservatives on your fences, garden furniture and wooden buildings.
Hedgehogs on the Allotment; The hedgehog is known as ‘the gardener’s friend’ as it will eat slugs, beetles, caterpillars etc., and does no harm, so if you have a garden a hedgehog is to be encouraged. They should not be kept in captivity but regarded as welcome visitors.
Parasites: Fleas are a normal occurrence in wild animals and hedgehogs are no exception.
- The good news is hedgehog fleas are host-specific and, although they might jump on to your cat or dog, they cannot live on them for long.
- If you find that a hedgehog has a very heavy flea infestation it may indicate that there is an underlying problem.
- Seek expert advice from a local rescue centre.
- Blood-sucking ticks are also often found on hedgehogs and after taking their fill of blood, will drop off the host in order to complete their life cycle.
- It is common to find several ticks on a single animal, but if you find a hedgehog with large numbers of ticks, this may indicate that the animal needs help.
- Removing ticks properly requires experience and, to avoid harming the hedgehog, you should seek expert help.
Hibernation: If you want to attract wildlife to your allotment ensure there is easy access for them, leave wild areas and avoid ‘tidying up’ too much.
- Hedgehogs tend to hibernate between November and mid-March and may choose the stack of leaves or branches in your garden.
- For this reason, if you have to get rid of such material, move it to a different spot before setting fire to it; a hedgehog may be sheltering or hibernating in it.
- They like to nest under things (e.g., sheds, hedges and brushwood) and need plenty of dry leaves to build their nest.
Now I have to build a couple of nesting boxes
Regards
David
Plot 18