How to help Hedgehogs this Hedgehog Awareness Week

Hedgehog Awareness Week takes place from 4th-10th May 2025, and is the perfect time to show your support for this special species.

Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s best-loved mammals, yet their numbers are in serious decline. Back in the 1950s it was estimated that there were around 30 million Hedgehogs in the UK, whereas today, there are thought to be fewer than a million.

Habitat loss is a big threat to Hedgehogs. They are very active creatures, regularly moving through a variety of well-connected habitats in search of food and places to nest. New housing developments, loss of hedgerows and an increase in impenetrable garden boundaries mean that Hedgehogs are struggling more than ever before. Harsh pesticides, predators and traffic collisions are also contributing factors in their decline.

Thankfully, there are still lots of simple and easy ways we can help Hedgehogs. Even doing just one small thing from this list could help increase Hedgehog numbers and see this species thriving once more. Read on for our top tips on how to help Hedgehogs.

Create Hedgehog highways

Hedgehogs can walk miles each night, moving from garden to garden in search of food and or a mate. Of course, this means they rely heavily on there being a way to get from garden A to garden B to complete their nightly meander. A really easy way to help them out is by ensuring you have a gap in your fence for them to get through. You can do this by either digging a small channel between boundaries, or by cutting a 13cm x 13cm panel out of the bottom of your fence. Just make sure you discuss this with your neighbours first!

Give them a place to nest

As habitat loss looms as one of the biggest threats to these prickly mammals, providing them with a safe and secure place to nest and raise their young is a great way to help Hedgehogs out. Placing a Hedgehog house in your garden is a really simple way to give them somewhere to cosy up and raise their little hoglets. We have two different Hedgehog houses available at RSPB Shop: our Classic Hedgehog house kit, which comes flat-packed for you to assemble yourself, or our Silhouette Hedgehog home, which is fully constructed.

Provide food and drink

Hedgehogs spend a lot of their time snuffling about in search of food and water, so why not make things a little easier for them by putting out some food and drink for them to enjoy? Grab a Hedgehog snack bowl and fill it with your choice of either crunchy or semi-moist Hedgehog food. Meaty cat or dog food is also suitable. Water is of course essential for all wildlife, particularly during hot weather, so adding a bowl of water is really helpful in keeping them hydrated and healthy.

Let things grow wild

Hedgehogs love a diverse, wild garden. Planting a variety of flowers and plants can in turn encourage insects and bugs that Hedgehogs enjoy feasting on. Why not plant some wildflower seeds, or even let some of your lawn grow wild? Having lots of log and leaf piles is also great, as Hedgehogs may choose to nest in them.

Be a careful gardener

Avoid using pesticides and slug pellets in your garden, as these can be fatal to Hedgehogs, and they are natural pest controllers anyway. Before you mow the lawn or use the strimmer, make sure you check the area to ensure there are no curious ‘hogs nearby.

How will you be helping Hedgehogs out for Hedgehog Awareness Week?