Help the hedgehogs: Expert gardener warns Brits to check their lawns this Spring

As the UK weather warms up, millions of Brits will be itching to head outside and get their gardens in tip-top shape.

But for thousands of hedgehogs in the UK, this spring spruce up could prove to be catastrophic. As part of their ongoing “help the hedgehogs” campaign, MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, is warning that millions of gardeners could be inadvertently adding to hedgehog decline by neglecting to check for hedgehogs before starting work on their gardens.

Awake from their winter hibernation, hedgehogs have just begun to forage for food and shelter. And, with many of our lawns still awaiting the first mow of the year, our long grass is a perfect spot for these small creatures. Hedgehogs also often find shelter in untidy parts of your garden, especially under fallen twigs and rotting plant matter- common sights in British gardens following the autumn and winter seasons. For this reason, even a job as simple as using a rake to clear away debris may pose a threat to hedgehogs, who are unlikely to move but instead curl into a ball.

There are also various common garden tools, such as lawn mowers and strimmers, which pose a real danger to this species. It’s estimated that thousands of hedgehogs die every year, with many being killed by these items.

The hedgehog population is seriously in decline, with a reduction of 75 per cent in the last two decades. Research from MyBuilder.com revealed that 61 per cent were said to have spotted fewer hedgehogs in their local area over the past few years. Even more concerningly, 25 per cent said they had never seen one in the wild.

Andy Simms, from MyBuilder.com, says that it’s essential that Brits check for hedgehogs in their gardens before beginning any outdoor jobs.

“The winter season is well and truly over, so, understandably, millions of Brits will be starting to think of garden tasks they can complete now ahead of summer. But it’s not just us that might be outside, hedgehogs may be, too, and they’re not always easy to spot

“Before doing any garden task, check for any hedgehogs that could be hiding in your lawn. There are signs to watch out for, such as small, black droppings, tiny hand-like footprints in mud, and loud grunting noises, particularly at night. If you notice any of these, you may have one of these small creatures in your garden.

“Our data found that 31 per cent of Brits said that hedgehogs were their favourite animal, and, thankfully, if you would like to help protect hedgehogs, there are jobs you can do, such as leaving some areas in your garden wild, creating a small hole in your fence, or even building a hedgehog home. If you’re unsure of how to complete any of these tasks, a gardener may be able to help.”

For full advice on Help the Hedgehogs from MyBuilder, visit: https://www.mybuilder.com/blog/help-the-hedgehogs