UK Gardeners Urged To Check Drains Before It's Too Late
This week is Hedgehog Awareness Week, a campaign to help us protect our dwindling hedgehog populations.
The species has seen a decline of between 33% to 77% in the last 20 years, the Natural History Museum writes.
And according to Tiggywinkle’s, a wildlife hospital and a specialist in hedgehogs that’s paired with MyBuilder.com, we might be able to affect more change than you might think in our own backyard.
Sharon Jacobs, a senior nurse at Tiddlywinks, joined up with gardening expert James Lewis to share “basic steps for British gardeners to take to really create an area that is supportive to the safety and health of hedgehogs.”
One of them, the experts advise, includes covering areas most of us don’t know pose a risk.
It’s important to cover or provide a way out of your drains
Speaking to HuffPost UK, James Lewis said: “Drains and holes in your garden can be a real danger to hedgehogs. Should one fall into the drains below your gutter, for instance, there is a good chance that they will not be able to scramble out again.”
He adds, “Many Brits might not even be really aware of the drains they have in their gardens, but a common cause of distress is the small waste traps outside most kitchens.
“To help the hedgehogs, you should cover these, or alternatively you can provide a small ramp to enable them to get out.”
A paving slab can do the job for holes, but if blocking your drain is unviable, a small but sturdy bridge can help.
“Other examples of drains and holes that could be a hazard include holes dug for footings, open, steep-sided drains, manholes, ditches,” or pools, Lewis continues.
What should I do if I find a hedgehog in my drains?
“If you do find a hedgehog trapped in a drain, pull it out by clamping two pairs of pliers onto its spines and lifting gently,” the gardening expert advised.“If you think chemicals may have been poured down that drain (bleach, cleaning products, etc), then the hedgehog could be suffering from chemical burns and it’s best to take it to a wildlife hospital.”
It’s important to check your drains, pools, and any holes in your garden regularly to ensure no critters have got stuck in them, he adds.