The hedgehog, the indispensable animal of the garden, friend of the gardener
The life of the European hedgehog is full of pitfalls, but it is a valuable helper in the garden,
so if you find one in your garden, don't chase it away!
It should be noted that it has been protected by law since April 17, 1981.
It's not harmful; on the contrary, it will help protect your garden from various insects.
In fact, in its presence, harmful insects disappear, since the small mammal feeds on them.
Possessing exceptional hearing and sense of smell that allow it to easily detect its prey,
the hedgehog feeds mainly on: crickets, grasshoppers, slugs, snails, worms, cockchafers,
weevils, millipedes, etc.
In other words, it eats all the pests that damage your plants and vegetables! It is therefore an
economical and ecological alternative to pesticides.
We can all make our gardens welcoming to this small mammal,
through simple actions that preserve its habitat and ensure its safety.
And this is very important right now because the hedgehog is going into hibernation, which is why
it is important to build it a cozy little nest to spend the winter in.
This is what we did in Saissac, in Montagne Noire, at the La Porte d'Autan campsite,
by building two small shelters in quiet areas of the campsite.
A hedgehog-friendly garden is an ecological garden! Which is exactly the case for us,
as Camping La Porte d'Autan is a refuge for the League for the Protection of Birds "LPO", committed to Zero Pesticides….
We hope he will find happiness with us and that we will have the joy of meeting him in the spring
Creating a simple shelter:
A simple upturned crate, covered with leaves, with a 15
cm wide entrance can be enough to house a hedgehog. Cover the crate
with branches and dead leaves. This shelter should be placed in a
quiet spot, sheltered from prevailing winds, direct sunlight
, and rain (under a hedge, against a wall), with the entrance facing
southeast if possible. Do not put any material inside the shelter.
Let the hedgehog bring its own hay and grass to build
its nest.
