Hedgehog Friendly Gardening

With the arrival of the summer months, many people will be preparing their gardens to make the most of the warmer weather.

Before undertaking any gardening activities, Timloc Building Products, part of the Alumasc Group Plc, encourages you to take a few moments to check for hedgehogs and other wildlife that may be sheltering in your garden.

Garden equipment such as strimmer’s and lawn mowers are among the leading causes of fatal injuries to hedgehogs. A hedgehog’s natural defence mechanism is to curl into a ball when threatened, rather than flee, which makes them particularly vulnerable to injury. For this reason, it is important to inspect areas such as long grass, compost heaps and dense undergrowth carefully before beginning any garden work.

Hedgehog populations are experiencing an alarming decline, with nearly half of the UK population reportedly lost over the past 13 years. By carrying out a simple check before gardening, you can play an important role in helping to prevent avoidable harm and support the protection of this much-loved species.

Georgia Fry, Marketing Executive at Timloc, commented:

“Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so if you see one in your garden during the day, it may be unwell, injured or in distress. If you encounter a hedgehog in your garden during daylight hours, or if you are unsure whether one needs help, it’s important to seek advice from a dedicated hedgehog rescue or wildlife charity in your local area before taking action. They can provide expert guidance to ensure the hedgehog receives the appropriate care and support.”

The RSPCA also provides comprehensive advice on identifying when a hedgehog may need help, as well as guidance on how to handle and transport one safely.

In addition to gardening carefully, there are further steps you can take to support hedgehog populations. For example, the Hedgehog Highway by Timloc is designed to connect gardens, enabling hedgehogs to move freely in search of food, water and shelter. Creating access points between gardens is a simple yet highly effective way to support their natural behaviour.

Designating areas of your garden for wildlife, alongside installing features such as hedgehog highways, can make a meaningful contribution to conservation efforts. Timloc Building Products also supports these initiatives through regular donations to local UK hedgehog charities, helping to fund the treatment and rehabilitation of injured and sick hedgehogs.

We can all play a part in safeguarding hedgehogs. Simply taking a moment to check your garden before starting any work can help protect the UK’s declining population.

To take the next step in supporting hedgehogs, install a Hedgehog Highway by Timloc and help create a safer, more connected environment for wildlife in your community: www.hedgehoghighway.co.uk