How to make your garden hedgehog-friendly

Hedgehog season is in full swing, and there’s nothing quite like spotting one of these spiky little visitors making their way through the garden at dusk. Sadly, hedgehogs are now considered vulnerable to extinction in the UK, and one of the biggest challenges they face is something as simple as solid garden fence panels. While it may seem harmless, an uninterrupted fence line can block their access to food, shelter, and even potential mates, causing them to struggle in environments that used to be welcoming.

The good news is that you don’t need to overhaul your entire garden to help hedgehogs thrive. With just a few minor tweaks, especially to your fencing and gravel boards, you can transform your garden into a safe and accessible space for these charming little animals. If you’re already planning a bit of a garden refresh this spring/summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to make things a little more hedgehog-friendly while you’re at it and here’s how you can do it!

Check your fence line for access

Hedgehogs are surprisingly determined travellers – on average, they cover around a mile each night in search of food, nesting spots, and companionship. If every garden on the street has a solid, uninterrupted fence, it creates a frustrating and dangerous maze for them to navigate. That’s why it’s worth taking a few minutes to walk your garden’s boundary and look for any natural gaps, openings or spaces that wildlife could potentially pass through, especially if you live in an area with woodland or quite a bit of trees and nature. If you find that your fences are completely sealed at ground level, don’t worry – this is actually very common. That’s where hedgehog-friendly fencing comes in!

Add a hedgehog door

A hedgehog hole is a simple solution to a big problem. It’s essentially a small opening (usually around 13cm x 13cm) made at the base of a fence panel, gate or gravel board, just big enough for a hedgehog to pass through. These openings allow hedgehogs to travel between gardens without being forced onto roads or trapped in isolated spaces, and they’re incredibly easy to create.

You can cut one yourself using a handsaw or jigsaw, or if you’re already thinking about replacing your fencing, we have a hedgehog-friendly concrete base panel here at Welch Fencing. Our hedgehog friendly panel is steel-reinforced for strength and durability, with the same smooth finish you’d expect from a quality gravel board – but it includes a pre-cut hole that’s perfectly sized for hedgehogs to move through safely.

It’s an ideal option if you’re installing new fencing or replacing existing gravel boards. It’s just as easy to slot into concrete posts as a standard panel and helps maintain the structural benefits of your fencing while opening up a vital pathway for local wildlife.

Other hedgehog-friendly garden tips

Helping hedgehogs doesn’t stop at your fence line – there are plenty of other ways to make your garden a safe and welcoming haven. You want to avoid using slug pellets, pesticides or weedkillers, as these can poison hedgehogs and reduce the number of natural insects they rely on for food. Leaving a wild patch in your garden with logs, leaf piles, or overgrown plants gives hedgehogs a sheltered area for nesting and resting during the day.

Providing a shallow dish of fresh water can also be a lifeline during dry spells. If you’re lucky, they might return regularly once they know your garden is a safe and reliable place to rest. And finally, it’s always a great idea to chat with your neighbours – the more connected your garden fence panels are, the more freedom hedgehogs have to move around, and the more likely they are to thrive.

It’s easy to think that one small change might not make much difference – but when it comes to hedgehog-friendly gardens, every little passageway, water dish, and wild patch really does help play a part in preserving one of Britain’s most iconic and beloved wild animals.

If you’re thinking of upgrading your garden fence panels or gravel boards this summer, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team here at Welch Fencing! We’ll always be more than happy to help you choose the best option for your garden and the neighbourhood hedgehogs – just give us a call on 01772 336 476 or email [email protected], and we’ll be glad to assist you!