This simple to make box can provide a nesting site for hedgehogs. If you are a handyman/woman, you may wish to make your own hedgehog box, based on the plan below:

Using 12 mm Marine grade or outdoor grade plywood, cut out the six shapes to the sizes shown. If you are not very confident with a saw, your local timber merchant will usually cut them to size for you.

Use a good quality waterproof wood glue and 25mm nails to fasten the 4 sides to the base and each other.

Glue and nail the divider about a quarter of the way along the inside, with the cut-out at the rear, to form a small entrance way.

Glue and nail the 2 locating strips centrally across the narrower width, the spacing between them is not really important but make sure that they fit inside the box assembly tightly and leave an equal distance all around the roof.

 

 

 

 

Cover the top in roofing felt, curling the edges underneath and fasten with heavy duty staples or galvanised roof nails.

The siting of the box depends on your individual garden and from which direction the weather comes.

For example in the hot weather the box should be sited where it is shaded. In the winter it should be protected from the prevailing winds. If a hedgehog has previously nested in your garden this may help you decide where to site the box.

Filling the nest with dry leaves and/or hay will mean the hedgehog has less work to do in building its nest.

Do not keep looking to see if a hedgehog is in residence. You could however put a small object at the entrance to see if it gets pushed away, this may indicate that an animal of some sort is using the nest.

Remember though - just because you go to the trouble to make or buy a box for the hedgehog does not mean he will use it. If you have a shed raised off the ground or pampas grass, it is possible that these will be preferred.

 

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Hedgehog Page

Last updated 9 March, 2002
© copyright 1999, P. A. Owen