October 1, 2021, 1:33 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
In a hedgehog house, these spiky creatures find shelter for the cold season–and can hibernate there. Additionally, hedgehogs are safe from predators such as cats. Our video guide shows how to easily build a hedgehog house yourself.
Typically, hedgehogs hibernate between November and March. To help them survive the fall and winter, you can support them with a homemade hedgehog house. In our example, we used untreated spruce wood and a waterproof plywood panel for the roof. After cutting and screwing the parts together, all it needs is a weatherproof glaze. You can learn how to build the hedgehog house step by step here–and in the video.
Building a Hedgehog House–What Do You Need?
For the dimensions of the winter quarters, there is a cat-proof guide from NABU that we followed. The house has a removable, slanted roof, which can also be equipped with hinges to open. There are no limits to the visual design. The myHOMEBOOK editorial team chose the lettering “HEDGEHOG HOTEL.”
Material List:
- Wood board (here spruce, 150 x 40 cm, 2 cm thick)
- Plywood panel
- Glaze
- Wood screws
- Sandpaper
Tool List:
- Cordless screwdriver with wood drill
- Jigsaw with saw blade
- Carpenter’s square
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Brush
Building a Hedgehog House–Step by Step
Once you have the materials and tools ready, you can start building the hedgehog house. Here’s how to proceed:
- Mark dimensions: Use a measuring tape and square to measure the individual parts first and mark them with a pencil.
- Saw parts: Deburr with the jigsaw and then sand the edges with sandpaper.
- Pre-drill holes: Choose the appropriate wood drill to prevent the wood from splitting when screwing.
- Screw parts together: Connect the outer walls and partition at the drill holes with wood screws. The screws must be long enough for this.
- Install strips: After measuring the interior, screw two slats to the underside of the removable roof (here made of plywood panel). Alternatively, you can equip the roof with hinges to open.
- Apply glaze: Finally, paint the finished house with wood glaze for outdoor use and decorate as desired.
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What Filling Goes in the Hedgehog House?
To make the house cozy, it needs suitable filling material. The most natural nest consists of leaves and hay. However, torn and crumpled newspaper is even better, as it doesn’t absorb as much water and is less prone to mold.
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The Right Place for the Hedgehog House
Hedgehogs like bushes and hedges. The house is best placed there. If there’s a pile of leaves nearby–even better. The shelter should also be rain and snow-proof to prevent waterlogging. Avoid a spot with direct sunlight, as the animals might wake up from hibernation too early and find no food.
More on the topic: Found a hedgehog in the garden? How to act correctly
What to Do If You Find Hedgehogs in the Garden in Winter?
Hedgehogs wandering around in winter or even young ones can be fed. Since these spiky animals are carnivores, the food should contain enough fat and protein to build reserves for winter. Cat wet food without jelly, fried ground meat, and scrambled eggs are tasty and suitable for them. Do not season the food. Water can be provided in a shallow dish or plate for drinking. They do not tolerate milk. Food and water go in the small “entrance area” of the hedgehog house, while the larger space is used for sleeping.
Also interesting: How garden owners can help animals in fall
Note: Hedgehogs should be left alone as much as possible while preparing for hibernation or during their resting phase. They are shy and nocturnal animals, not pets!