Help give a hog a home in Coulsdon and Purley to hibernate in this winter!
When it comes to home-staging, we at Walter & Mair are experts in Coulsdon and Purley. But it’s not just inside your home we like to design. We want to ensure that our local community and environment is a thriving place to live and spend our time and that includes the vibrant british wildlife!
With the hedgehog population declining rapidly in the UK, they are now officially classified as vulnerable to extinction making this a crucial time to get involved in protecting them. With most now in hibernation we know the winter months can be tough on our wildlife
Home-staging advice for Hedgehog Homes
When siting the box choose a shady, quiet area of your garden.
If the box lacks a tunnel entrance, try to include an interior tunnel or dividing wall to prevent predators such as badgers or foxes from getting to the hedgehog with their paws.
We recommend using untreated wood for hedgehog homes. Wood from certain softwood tree species grown in the UK, such as larch, Douglas-fir and red cedar have excellent durability as exterior timbers. Pre-treated wood can contain chromated copper arsenate (CCA) compounds that are hazardous to many species. PTES promote the use of locally grown timber which encourages good woodland management practices.
Consider rigging up a trail camera to keep an eye on who’s about.
*tips from https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/help-hedgehogs/hedgehog-homes/
Tips for Hibernating Chic
We all want to make the best decor for our homes and well, a hedgehog is no different! While you can make your own with the help of charity Hedgehog street here: https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Hedgehog-Street-Hedgehog-houses-instructions-2018.pdf if you’re looking to purchase a home for a hog as a unique and interesting Christmas present for a loved one there are some fantastic homes here: https://www.arkwildlife.co.uk/category/wildlife-care/hedgehog-houses/
The Igloo Hedgehog House provides hedgehogs and other mammals a safe haven from the many hazards they face on a daily basis such as gardening tools, domestic pets and other predators.
Hedgehog Highways
Did you know that Hedgehogs travel around one mile every night through our parks and gardens. If you have an enclosed garden you might be getting in the way of their plans to find some food or mate! By creating a small doorway in your fence you’ll help these fantastic creatures pass through with ease and encouraging your neighbours to do the same!
How to: 13cm by 13cm is sufficient for any hedgehog to pass through. This will be too small for nearly all pets.
You can also purchase a great sign to let everyone know you’ve created a hedgehog highway here: https://shop.ptes.org/product/wildlife-friendly-gardens/hedgehog-highway-signs-pack-of-two/
