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Irish Hedgehogs

If you’ve ever heard that gentle rustle in the leaves after dark, you’ll know the quiet thrill of sharing your garden with a hedgehog. These little insect-eaters are more than just a charming sight — they’re a vital part of our gardens and ecosystems.

Why hedgehogs matter in Ireland

The hedgehog we meet here is the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) — our only native spiny mammal and a familiar garden visitor across Ireland. They’re natural pest controllers, feasting on slugs, beetles, caterpillars and other insects — a gardener’s best ally in a wildlife-friendly garden.

Hedgehogs are protected under the Wildlife Act, and their presence is a good indicator that your garden and neighbourhood are part of a healthy local ecosystem.

If you like your data, check out Vincent Wildlife Trust’s Irish hedgehog overview.

Here at Gardeningwell, we believe the best gardens are the ones that breathe a bit. A neat lawn may look tidy, but a “slightly messy” garden — with layered planting, leaves and logs — is a living one. That’s at the heart of wildlife gardening in Ireland, and it pairs naturally with wildflower gardening too.

Autumn & winter — the make-or-break season

By October, hedgehogs across Ireland are racing the weather. As insects become scarce, they need to fatten up (aim for 450 g +) and find a dry, safe place to hibernate. Every connected garden, every small gap in a fence, and every undisturbed pile of leaves can make the difference between survival and struggle.

What you can do in your garden

Simple, Irish-specific wins that make a real difference:

1️⃣ Cut a hole in the fence (hedgehog highways)

Make a 13 × 13 cm gap at ground level in your fence or under a gate. If you can, coordinate with your neighbours — a line of small openings turns a whole estate into a hedgehog corridor. Learn more via the Irish Hedgehog Survey.

2️⃣ Leave a corner wild (leaves + logs)

Pile up leaves and small branches in a quiet corner. In damp Irish weather, keep it slightly raised to avoid waterlogging. It becomes a natural larder — and possibly a nesting site.

3️⃣ Feed and water — sensibly

In the evening, offer wet cat food (meat-based) or kitten biscuits in a low dish, plus a shallow bowl of fresh water. Never give milk or bread — they cause illness. For expert care guidance, see Irish Wildlife Matters and the joint UK-Irish resource Hedgehog Street.

4️⃣ Add a hedgehog house

Build or buy a small wooden hedgehog house with a tunnel entrance. Pack it with dry leaves and place it under shrubs in a quiet, flood-free spot — then leave it alone; no inspections needed.

5️⃣ Check before you mow or burn

Hedgehogs curl up and hide in long grass and leaf piles. Always check before you mow or burn, and build bonfires on the day you light them — not weeks in advance.

6️⃣ Record your sightings (Irish data matters)

Report what you see to the Irish Hedgehog Survey or Irish Hedgehog Survey website. Each record helps conservationists understand how Irish hedgehogs are faring and where they most need protection.

Local law & common sense

Hedgehogs are protected by law under the Wildlife Act. From 1 March – 31 August, hedge-cutting restrictions are in place to protect nesting birds — but even outside these dates, keep a few low “wildlife windows” under hedges to allow hedgehogs and frogs to move freely.

Fewer hard barriers and more green corridors make Irish gardens safer for everything that moves on paws or spines.

Found a hedgehog in trouble?

If you spot a hedgehog out in daylight, wobbling, injured or covered in fly eggs — it needs help. Contact a local rescuer or vet immediately.

For Leinster, try Hedgehog Rescue Dublin. Keep the hedgehog warm in a ventilated box with a towel, offer water only, and follow expert guidance at Irish Wildlife Matters.

Irish Hedgehogs: How to Help Them in Our Gardens (Autumn & Winter)