Gardeners are being urged to drill holes in the bottom of their fences this winter to help an endangered animal.Hedgehog numbers are significantly down in the UK thanks to climate change and modern garden design - such as closing in spaces with high fences, brick walls and sturdy barriers in the name of security.But gardeners should be doing everything they can to attract the spiky creatures into their gardens - because hedgehogs are actually a great pest exterminator.Hedgehogs love to gobble up slugs and snails - those two molluscs that gardeners are constantly battling to keep under control and away from our prized fruit and veg crops as well as our prized flowers and floral displays.But hedgehog numbers are significantly down in recent years and one reason put forward to explain the drop relates to solid walls and fences being put up around houses.As wildlife shop NHBS says: "Research suggests that this is partly because it is becoming harder for hedgehogs to move freely due to an increase in the number of solid walls and fences being erected around gardens. This reduces the available foraging area and so restricts the amount of food that they can eat as well as reducing the possibility of meeting a mate."Creating a hole in a garden wall or fence will allow your local hedgehogs to pass through from garden to garden safely."You can do this in a rough and ready way by simply cutting a small, roughly hedgehog sized hole in the bottom of the fence, or you could raise the entire panel by a few inches so that a hedgehog can squeeze underneath (but not so large that a person could). Alternatively, simply cut a few inches of wood off the bottom of the fence so that hedgehogs can slip under.You might think this makes it easier for cats, but they can leap over even six foot fences, so it won't increase feline visitors.If you want to do it properly, NHBS sells a hedgehog hole fence plate which will add a sturdy metal enforced gap to the bottom of your fence.NHBS adds: "A hole measuring 13cm by 13cm is the right size for a hedgehog to pass through but too small for most pets. Once you have made your hole in the fence or wall, you can fix the Eco Hedgehog Hole Plate to the fence, ensuring that the hole does not get blocked or stretched."The plate has six screw holes, three along each side, which can be used to fix the plate to your fence or wall. Additional holes can be made in the plastic if required."

Gardeners urged to cut holes in fence in December

Gardeners are being urged to drill holes in the bottom of their fences this winter to help an endangered animal. Hedgehog numbers are significantly down in the UK thanks to climate change and modern garden design – such as closing in spaces with high fences, brick walls and sturdy barriers in the name of security. […]

Gardeners are being urged to drill holes in the bottom of their fences this winter to help an endangered animal.

Hedgehog numbers are significantly down in the UK thanks to climate change and modern garden design – such as closing in spaces with high fences, brick walls and sturdy barriers in the name of security.

But gardeners should be doing everything they can to attract the spiky creatures into their gardens – because hedgehogs are actually a great pest exterminator.

Hedgehogs love to gobble up slugs and snails – those two molluscs that gardeners are constantly battling to keep under control and away from our prized fruit and veg crops as well as our prized flowers and floral displays.

But hedgehog numbers are significantly down in recent years and one reason put forward to explain the drop relates to solid walls and fences being put up around houses.

As wildlife shop NHBS says: “Research suggests that this is partly because it is becoming harder for hedgehogs to move freely due to an increase in the number of solid walls and fences being erected around gardens. This reduces the available foraging area and so restricts the amount of food that they can eat as well as reducing the possibility of meeting a mate.

“Creating a hole in a garden wall or fence will allow your local hedgehogs to pass through from garden to garden safely.”

You can do this in a rough and ready way by simply cutting a small, roughly hedgehog sized hole in the bottom of the fence, or you could raise the entire panel by a few inches so that a hedgehog can squeeze underneath (but not so large that a person could). Alternatively, simply cut a few inches of wood off the bottom of the fence so that hedgehogs can slip under.

You might think this makes it easier for cats, but they can leap over even six foot fences, so it won’t increase feline visitors.

If you want to do it properly, NHBS sells a hedgehog hole fence plate which will add a sturdy metal enforced gap to the bottom of your fence.

NHBS adds: “A hole measuring 13cm by 13cm is the right size for a hedgehog to pass through but too small for most pets. Once you have made your hole in the fence or wall, you can fix the Eco Hedgehog Hole Plate to the fence, ensuring that the hole does not get blocked or stretched.

“The plate has six screw holes, three along each side, which can be used to fix the plate to your fence or wall. Additional holes can be made in the plastic if required.”