How to attract hedgehogs and badgers
Most wild mammals are nocturnal and secretive, so you may not know you have any visitors. Whether you have an urban garden or you live in the countryside, hedgehogs, wood mice and even badgers might often visit. You might be surprised at who makes an appearance!
Constantly putting out food can make wild mammals reliant on unnatural food sources. But putting out a bit of food during winter allows them to top up any low stocks, and gives them a helping hand through the cold and harsh weather.
Put out fresh food at dusk and don't forget a dish of fresh water!
Feeding hedgehogs:
- The best way to feed hedgehogs is to provide insect-rich habitat for them to forage in. Allow a patch of grass to grow long, build a bug hotel, or choose plant species that attract a range of insects to provide a feast for hedgehogs.
- You can also provide plain, meat-based cat food, or a specialist meat-based hedgehog food (sold in garden centres), which helps to keep their teeth sharp and clean.
- If you have a problem with cats eating the food, try placing the food under a brick shelter with a hedgehog-sized gap in it.
- If food isn’t eaten overnight, remove anything that will go off and replace it with fresh offerings in the evening.
Remember: it is important not to leave bread and milk out for hedgehogs as it can cause diarrhoea.
Feeding badgers:
- Use wet cat or dog food, or a specialist badger food.
- Provide some fruits, such as apples, plums or pears, and nuts, such as unsalted peanuts or brazils.
- Leave out root vegetables like carrots, along with some cooked potato.
- If food isn’t eaten overnight, remove anything that will go off and replace it with fresh offerings in the evening.