Hedgehogs are one of Britain's most beloved garden visitors, but their numbers have fallen sharply in recent decades. A suburban garden can be a vital stepping stone for them, provided it is safe and easy to navigate. With a few thoughtful changes, you can turn your patch into a welcoming refuge.

Why Hedgehogs Need a Helping Hand

Hedgehogs roam up to 2km a night, but fences and walls fragment their territory. A single garden is rarely enough. They need to move between gardens to find food, mates and shelter. In built-up areas, this is increasingly difficult. The good news is that small, simple changes make a big difference.

Create a Hedgehog Highway

The single most effective thing you can do is cut a gap in your fence or wall. A 13cm x 13cm square (about the size of a CD case) is ideal. Hedgehogs are surprisingly good climbers and swimmers, but a gap at ground level is safest. If you have a solid wall, you can remove a brick or two at the base. For gravel boards, a notch works well.

• Talk to neighbours: a series of gaps creates a connected route.
• Keep the gap free of obstructions like plant pots or bins.
• If you have a pond, ensure a gently sloping edge or a ramp so hedgehogs can climb out.
• Avoid using netting at ground level; hedgehogs can become entangled.

Shelter and Safe Havens

During the day, hedgehogs need somewhere dark, dry and quiet to sleep. A log pile is perfect. Stack untreated logs loosely, leaving gaps. Add autumn leaves and moss. A compost heap is also a favourite, but take care when turning it. If you want a purpose-built home, a cedar hedgehog house is an excellent choice. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, so it lasts for years without chemical treatments. Place it in a quiet corner, facing away from prevailing winds, and cover it with leaves for insulation.

• Leave a wild corner with long grass and native plants.
• Dead wood is not untidy; it is habitat. A cedar log store can double as a shelter.
• Keep leaf piles in place over winter; they are hibernation sites.

Water and Food: Simple but Specific

Hedgehogs are thirsty, especially in summer. A shallow bowl of fresh water is a lifeline. The bowl should be no more than 5cm deep, with a few pebbles or a small ramp inside so that if a hedgehog falls in, it can climb out. Never use a steep-sided bowl.

For food, meat-based cat or dog food (in jelly, not gravy) is ideal. Specialist hedgehog food is also available. Put out a small amount at dusk, and remove any leftovers in the morning to avoid attracting rats. Never give milk or bread. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, and milk can cause serious illness. Bread has little nutritional value. Mealworms are fine as an occasional treat, but too many can lead to bone problems.

• Offer food in a shallow dish, not on the ground.
• If you start feeding, be consistent; hedgehogs will come to rely on it.
• Never leave out fish-based foods or anything containing onion or garlic.

Dangers to Avoid

Many common garden practices are lethal to hedgehogs. Slug pellets are one of the worst; poisoned slugs and snails are eaten by hedgehogs, with fatal results. Use beer traps, copper tape or hand-picking instead. Before strimming or mowing, walk the area and check for sleeping hedgehogs. They often rest in long grass. Bonfires are another hazard: build them on the day you light them, or move the pile first. Check for hedgehogs before lighting. Netting, especially fruit netting, should be kept at least 30cm above the ground. Ponds need an escape route. And if you have a dog, keep it away from hedgehogs, especially at night.

• Replace slug pellets with nematodes or barriers.
• Check compost heaps before turning.
• Cover drains and keep them clear.

Seasonal Habits for a Safe Garden

In autumn, leave leaves and log piles undisturbed. Hedgehogs may hibernate in them. If you find a hedgehog out in daylight, it is likely in trouble; contact a local rescue. In spring, be careful when digging; hedgehogs may have young. A cedar hedgehog house provides a warm, dry nursery. In summer, keep water bowls topped up. In winter, avoid disturbing hibernation sites. A garden that is a little wilder, with a cedar log pile and a simple gap in the fence, will reward you with the quiet company of these gentle creatures.