A hedgehog can travel more than a mile in a single night, snuffling through hedgerows, verges and gardens in search of beetles, caterpillars, slugs and earthworms. But modern gardens are often sealed off from one another by fences, walls and gravel boards. For a nocturnal animal that needs to roam widely to find food and a mate, these barriers are a serious problem. By creating a small, carefully placed gap in your garden boundary, you can turn a dead end into part of a vital hedgehog highway.
The ideal gap is just 13 centimetres by 13 centimetres — roughly the size of a CD case. Hedgehogs are surprisingly flexible, and this opening is large enough for them to pass through comfortably, but small enough to discourage cats, foxes and most dogs. If you are using a tunnel, choose a pipe with a 15-centimetre diameter. The opening must sit at ground level, with no lip or step that could trip a hedgehog. Clear away soil, stones and plant debris so the route stays easy to use.
The method depends on what your boundary is made from. For a wooden fence panel, use a saw to cut a neat square at the bottom edge, then sand any rough edges. If you have a gravel board, you can remove a short section or lift a single brick at one end. For a brick wall, removing one brick at ground level often creates the perfect opening. If the wall is solid, or you rent your home and cannot alter it, a tunnel is a brilliant alternative. A length of drainpipe, buried just below the surface and angled gently upwards, will guide hedgehogs safely under the obstacle. Line the entrance with bricks or stones to stop soil collapsing in.
Always check for buried cables, pipes and irrigation lines before you dig or cut. If you are renting, ask your landlord first — most are happy when the request is explained as a simple wildlife improvement.
A gap is only useful if the garden on either side is worth visiting. Hedgehogs need shelter, water and a reliable food supply. Leave a wild corner with long grass, log piles and leaf litter. These provide nesting sites and a natural larder of insects. Avoid slug pellets, pesticides and rat poison — hedgehogs can be poisoned indirectly by eating contaminated slugs or insects. Check long grass before strimming or mowing, and always lift and move nets, plastic rings and litter.
If you want to offer supplementary food, put out meat-based cat or dog food and a shallow dish of fresh water at dusk. Never give bread or milk, which can cause serious digestive problems. Remove any leftovers in the morning to avoid attracting rats. A purpose-built hedgehog house, placed in a quiet corner, can provide a safe place to sleep or hibernate. If you have a pond, make sure there is a gentle ramp or a sloping edge so hedgehogs can climb out. And if you see a hedgehog during the day, it is usually a sign of trouble — contact a local wildlife rescue for advice.
One gap is a start, but a network is what really makes a difference. Talk to your neighbours on both sides and explain how a small opening can connect several gardens into a continuous route. Aim for at least one gap in every boundary, ideally in a quiet corner away from roads. If a neighbour has a solid wall, suggest a tunnel under it. If they are worried about pets escaping, reassure them that a 13cm gap will not let a cat or dog through. You could even agree to keep the gaps clear of leaves and soil together. Small, neighbourly actions add up to a landscape that hedgehogs can navigate safely night after night.
Hedgehogs use these routes all year, but their needs change with the seasons. In autumn, they search for hibernation sites, so leave log piles, compost heaps and leaf mounds undisturbed. Check bonfires before lighting them — a pile of dry wood is an irresistible hedgehog bed. In spring and summer, keep gaps free from encroaching grass and soil, and top up water in hot, dry weather. Avoid cutting hedges between March and August if possible, as this is when birds and hedgehogs may be nesting or raising young.
If you find a hedgehog hibernating, leave it alone and keep the area quiet. If you accidentally disturb a nest, cover it back gently and move away. By maintaining your hedgehog highway, you are not just helping one animal — you are creating a lifeline for a species that has declined dramatically in recent decades. Every 13-centimetre gap is a small act of conservation, and together they can reconnect our gardens, one fence at a time.
Tawny Refuge shares practical, down-to-earth guidance on british wildlife gardening and backyard conservation for readers across the UK.
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