Wildlife experts have revealed how to construct the perfect hedgehog home.
A report has found the hedgehog population has been declining 8 per cent every year for the past two decades. Good hedgehog homes will be important in the fight to species.
The RSPB wildlife charity have shared its top tips for hog homes, which will help keep the declining hedgehog population safe.
According to the group, hedgehogs rely on cosy spaces to bed down, particularly during their mating season which reaches fever pitch through May and June.
The first step is to identify a suitable garden location for the hog to bed down. The spot should be secluded, and if possible, close to where the animal enters the garden.
DIY homes can be built from logs or compost. Compost homes are said to provide attractive nesting sites for hedgehogs, which will bed down in a heap. The waste will be full of insects that the hog can eat.
Another easy solution is a log house. Conservation group Hedgehog Street says stacking old dead wood in the garden will create a safe and inviting space for hedgehogs to hibernate and breed.
Otherwise, keen conservationists can buy a purpose built hedgehog home.
The RSPB has issued advice on how to feed the animals once they arrive in a garden:
"Protect any food from cats and dogs by placing it under a shelter made of bricks or wood, leaving a gap just big enough for a hedgehog to fit through, or placing the food in their purpose-built den.
"Remove any uneaten food the following morning, discard anything that has spoiled, and offer fresh food in the evening after thoroughly cleaning their food bowl. To provide variety and mimic natural foraging, try scattering the food in different spots, too.
"Milk can cause hedgehogs to suffer from diarrhoea, and bread provides little nutritional value, so these foods are best avoided."
The RSPB warned to ensure dogs are kept away from the hogs: "If you’ve got a pet dog, try to prevent it from interacting with any hedgehogs that visit your garden — dog attacks often prove fatal to hedgehogs (and your dog will likely be injured too!)."
The guidance comes ahead of hedgehog awareness week, which begins on Sunday, April 30. Overseen by the Hedgehog Preservation Society charity, the week aims to raise awareness of the difficulties facing hedgehog populations.
The hedgehog charity's Chief Executive, Fay Vass, said: “These small actions can help create and link fantastic habitat for hedgehogs; just a little effort from each of us could make life a lot easier for them! If you don’t have a garden yourself, you can still help by contacting public space managers, neighbours, family and friends to ensure they are all doing their bit.”