The hedgehog is becoming extinct

Build a hedgehog house and you help them through the winter

Every year, 135,000 hedgehogs are run over, and in the past ten years, 50 percent of hedgehogs have disappeared in the Netherlands. And while the hedgehog is not only incredibly cute, it can also be very useful. They combat harmful caterpillars, slugs, and maggots and help maintain a natural balance in your garden.

But because there is so little untouched nature in the Netherlands (only 15 percent), it is very difficult for the hedgehog to survive and to find a safe, warm, and dry place where they can hibernate. There is also a housing shortage for hedgehogs.

But we can do something about that. By building a hedgehog house in your garden or perhaps in a large bush in a nearby park.

Build your own hedgehog house
Make a square house (with an opening for them to crawl in) and a roof. Place it on a few stones to prevent rotting. Ensure that the house is away from children and other animals and that it is covered, for example, under a large bush. Cover the bottom of the house (and do the front as well) with leaves. Also, make sure there is a ventilation pipe for fresh air. If you have a fence around your garden, create hedgehog gates underneath, which are openings of 14 by 14 centimeters.

You can also order a hedgehog house from Natuurmonumenten.

You could place some slugs in the house to attract the hedgehog. And if the hedgehog then has a nest, could you send a baby photo?