There’s a great amount of joy that comes from watching hedgehogs snuffle about in your garden in search of snails, worms and other food to snaffle up during their nighttime feeding frenzy.
But, as autumn approaches and the temperatures begin to drop, our prickly garden visitors need a safe space to call home.
However, constant urban development and a need to keep our gardens looking clear and pristine at all times has removed the hedgehog’s natural habitat, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for them to find a place to hibernate.
This has led to a quick decline in the UK’s hedgehog population, and there are now fewer sightings of these beautiful animals in our gardens than ever before. But, there is something you can do to help the plight of these spiky creatures.
By installing a hedgehog house in your garden, you’re not only providing them with a warm, dry place to hibernate throughout the winter months, but you’re also keeping them safe from predators and giving them somewhere to raise their little hoglets.
However, with so many choices available online, finding the perfect hedgehog house to add to your garden can be a little bit confusing.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of five of the best hedgehog houses available, that will help keep your visiting hedgehogs safe and warm as they sleep through the cold winter months.
We’ve also included a handy buying guide that’s full of useful information on what to look out for before you settle on your final purchase.
So put your feet up, keep reading, and you’ll soon know everything you need to know about providing a cosy little home for your garden hedgehogs this year!
In a hurry? This is our winner!
- ECO HEDGEHOG HOUSE - Made from Responsible Sourced FSC Timber designed & made in our workshop in Kent
- SAFE & SECURE HABITAT - Place this in a sheltered and quiet spot to get these creatures to take up residence in your garden. It's safe for hibernation and breeding as well as from natural predators
- EASY CLEANING - It's best to clean your hedgehog wooden house before and after hibernation, that is, in April and October. Simply wash out the box with boiling water and leave out to dry
Best Hedgehog House – Comparison Table
Best Hedgehog House – Reviews
The Hutch Company Hedgehog House and Hibernation Shelter - Predator-Proof Outdoor Habitat, Feeding Station and Home - Felt Roof Cover and Full Wood Flooring - Best Pet Garden Hedgehogs Wooden Houses
The solid construction of this Hedgehog House from The Hutch Company will provide your prickly garden visitors with a safe, dry place to spend the winter months, and also includes a few extra features that will ensure they are kept as warm and safe as possible during hibernation.
The body of the house is made using super durable C24 graded construction timber, which gives it a really sturdy build that can withstand extreme winter weather, and the roof is covered in a felt that will help to keep any rain from entering the house.
One of the most impressive features of this hedgehog house, however, is the built-in predator baffle design.
his clever design allows the hedgehogs to sleep soundly in one part of the house, and prevents any foxes or other predators from being able to reach into their resting area, ensuring that they are safe and protected at their most vulnerable time of the year.
This hedgehog house has also been treated with a non-toxic, antibacterial coating that prevents any diseases from spreading, and when the time comes for the hedgehogs to start venturing out into the wild again in the spring, you can easily clean the house out simply by rinsing it out with boiling water.
- Solidly built using durable C24 graded construction timber for durability and safety
- The roof is covered with felt that will help to prevent any water from entering the house
- Includes an amazing predator baffle design, which ensures no foxes or other predators are able to get to the hedgehogs as they hibernate
- Treated with a non-toxic, antibacterial coating to prevent the spread of any disease
- Super easy to clean and can simply be rinsed out with boiling water once your hedgehogs have departed
- Some customers found that the entrance was perhaps slightly too big, which wouldn’t prevent cats from entering the house. However, they wouldn’t be able to get around to the ‘bedroom’ part due to the interior baffle design.
Wildlife World HH10 Igloo Hedgehog House Brown No Installation
If you’d like to add a hedgehog house to your garden, and are looking for something that would fit in naturally with its surroundings, then this Igloo Hedgehog House from Wildlife World could be the perfect choice for you.
The rounded shape is constructed using painted steel, giving it a great amount of durability against the winter weather, and features a waterproof roof that is guaranteed to keep your spikey friends safe and dry from any rain or snow.
A brushwood exterior gives a natural looking effect that will also help to keep hedgehogs warm as they hibernate, and it is kept securely in place using a series of rattan bands and a moss trim for extra camouflage that will help keep them protected from predators.
Not only does the natural looking design mean that it will fit in with the aesthetic of your garden, but it will also be more appealing to hedgehogs as they look for a place to spend the winter, and will deter them away from sleeping in bonfire piles or compost heaps.
- Designed with a natural look that will fit in with the existing aesthetic of your garden
- The interior is constructed in an igloo shape from strong and durable painted steel
- A waterproof root is also fitted to the inside of the house to protect from rain and snow
- The exterior is decorated with brushwood and moss for a camouflaged appearance that will protect hedgehogs from predators
- The natural appearance is appealing to hedgehogs, and will help prevent them from hibernating in compost heaps or bonfire piles
- This hedgehog house does not feature any interior dividers or predator baffler
Riverside Woodcraft Hedgehog House Golden Brown With Anti Bacteria Coating | Predator and Cat Proof Outdoor Habitat, Feeding Station and Home | Eco Friendly Roof And Solid Wood Floor
Handmade in the UK, this Hedgehog House from Riverside Woodcraft offers any hedgehogs that visit your garden a safe and secure place to hibernate over the winter months, and is also spacious enough for a hedgehog to use for raising a family in the spring.
It’s solid wood construction is tough enough to shield any overwintering hedgehogs from fierce winds and heavy snow, and the roof is both waterproof and insulated, so there’s no chance of any rain getting inside the house.
There’s even a cute little roof over the entrance hole that is made from recycled slate, giving your hedgehogs a dry shelter from the second they step through the door!
To keep your garden hedgehogs safe from predators, the roof also features a lock that will prevent any foxes or badgers from knocking it open and reaching inside. The entrance door is also located far away from the inside far corner, and is perfectly sized to allow hedgehogs inside but keep predators out.
On top of all of these fantastic features, this hedgehog house is also treated with an antibacterial and antifungal colour rich coating, that ensures that no disease can set into the wood and keeps the resident hedgehogs healthy and happy through the colder months.
- Spacious enough to allow a hedgehog to comfortably hibernate over winter, and to raise a family in the spring
- The solid wood construction is tough enough to withstand the worst of the winter weather with ease
- A waterproof and insulated roof helps to keep hedgehogs warm and dry, and a miniature entrance roof made from recycled slate offers rain protection as soon as they step inside
- The roof also features a lock that prevents any predators from knocking it off and reaching inside
- A color rich, antibacterial and anti fungal coating has been applied to the entire house to prevent disease and keep it in tip top condition
- Is at the more expensive end of the price scale for hedgehog houses, however the quality in undeniable and it will last for years if treated properly
Wildlife World HH7 Hoglio Hogilow Hedgehog Home As Featured On Autumn Watch, Green, 230.0 mm*500.0 mm*390.0 mm
Featured on the BBC’s ‘Autumn Watch’, the Hogilo Hedgehog House from Wildlife World is specially designed to provide your prickly garden visitors with a safe space to hibernate through the winter, as well as protect them from any potential predators.
Made from recycled agricultural plastic attached to a plywood skeleton, you’ll not only be providing your garden hedgehogs with a safe haven from the cold, but you’ll also be reducing your carbon footprint.
The wooden interior has also been cleverly designed to allow breathability and to prevent condensation from building up.
The entrance hole is just over 5 inches in diameter, giving a hedgehog plenty of room to enter and leave as they place and ensuring there’s no room for any foxes or badgers to get inside. The entrance hallway then leads to a spacious living area that is large enough for both hibernating and raising hoglets.
Once spring has passed and the house is unoccupied, you can easily clean it out thanks to the unique swivel lid that is easy to remove, allowing you to rinse the interior out with hot water.
- Featured on the BBC’s ‘Autumn Watch’ television show
- Constructed using a plywood skeleton that is covered with recycled agricultural plastic
- Designed and engineered to prevent condensation and allow breathability
- A small entrance hole prevents predators from accessing the hedgehogs, and leads to a large living space
- The swivel lid makes it easy to remove for inspection and cleaning when appropriate
- Some people that previously purchased this hedgehog house noted that it got a little damp if it wasn’t sited on a solid surface
Berk Large Wooden Hedgehog House - Solid Wood Construction Hedgehogs Feeding Station Hibernation Shelter In Garden
Featuring separate internal chambers, this Predator Proof Hedgehog Guest House from Berk will give your garden visitors a safe place to see out the winter safely without any risk of them being disturbed by foxes or badgers.
Constructed using fir wood and topped with a bark roof, it’s both durable and weatherproof, so any resident hedgehogs will be kept safe and dry throughout hibernation.
The roof is also fully removable, so you’ll be able to inspect if it’s empty once spring has passed, and clean it out with boiling water easily.
The main entrance is the perfect size for a hedgehog to comfortably travel through, and leads to a separate living compartment. This ensures that any predators won’t be able to reach around the corners and access the hedgehogs, and also provides an extra layer of protection from the elements.
It’s also really easy to assemble, looks fantastic placed in a quiet area of any garden, and makes a wonderful gift for children, nature lovers and gardeners alike.
- Designed to prevent predators from accessing the hedgehogs as they hibernate
- This is achieved by the additional of separate internal chambers that are inaccessible to anything larger than a hedgehog
- Constructed using fir wood and topped with a bark roof for durability and weatherproofing
- The lid is also removable, allowing you to inspect when it’s empty and clean easily
- Super easy to assemble and makes a great gift for any nature lover
- Has not been treated with any antibacterial or antifungal coatings, however this can be easily applied at home
Best Hedgehog House – Buyer’s Guide
Providing a warm, sheltered space for hedgehogs to spend the winter in your garden is not only rewarding to see, but will also pay dividends as they come to think of your outdoor space as a reliable source of food, safety and comfort and visit more frequently.
But when you’re looking to place a hedgehog house into your garden, there are a few things you need to consider before purchasing. We’ve outlined some points you should give some thought to, and that will ensure you buy the best hedgehog house for your prickly friends!
Size
One of the most important things to consider when you’re buying a hedgehog house is the size of it. Although it’s true that hedgehogs hibernate alone, they also need to be able to line the interior of the house with a mixture of leaves, straw and foliage to keep themselves warm, as well as fit in there themselves.
There’s a really good chance as well that your resident hedgehog may decide that your hedgehog house is the perfect place for raising their hoglets, and the more room they have to do that in the better.
So buy them a decent sized hedgehog house that is roomy enough for them to get comfortable in, but not so big that a predator will be able to get inside.
Material
Your hedgehog house is going to be placed outside, and so it will need to be able to hold its own against anything the winter weather can throw at it. With that in mind, take some time to look at what materials the house is constructed from.
Most hedgehog houses are built using solid wood, which provides a sturdy construction that can sit solidly in strong winds and won’t bend or break under the weight of heavy snowfall. Wood is usually quite breathable as well, so your hedgehogs will still be able to get a good flow of fresh air without any condensation building up on the inside of the house.
There are also hedgehog houses that are built using steel frames which are then covered with natural materials, such as brushwood and moss. These are also a good choice as the sturdiness of the frame will be able to withstand adverse weather conditions, whilst the exterior will provide warmth and waterproofing.
Plastic is another material that you may find in the construction of hedgehog houses. This is also really strong and durable, and is naturally waterproof so will help keep the residents warm and dry. However, with environmentally friendliness at the forefront of everybody’s minds, we’d recommend you go for a hedgehog house made from recycled materials if you’re leaning towards a plastic option.
Style
It’s important to think about the style of the hedgehog house you’d like in your garden as well. If you’ve spent a lot of time designing your outdoor space to look a certain way, you could ruin the aesthetic by purchasing a hedgehog house that doesn’t fit in with the rest of the look.
Hedgehog houses that are constructed using natural materials are not only better for blending effortlessly into your borders and flowerbeds, but are also a lot more appealing to hedgehogs. This is a great way to keep them out of your compost heap and away from bonfire piles.
Whichever style you choose, it’s important to place your hedgehog house in a quiet area that is sheltered from wind and is away from the house. A south facing wall underneath a tree would be the ideal location.
Predator Proofing
Hedgehogs come up against predators when they’re hibernating, and their sleepy state makes them an even easier catch for foxes and badgers. So to ensure that they survive the winter and are kept as safe as possible, it’s a good idea to look for a hedgehog house that offers some predator proofing.
Some houses have been cleverly designed with internal compartments, which offers the hedgehogs a safe space to sleep in, and prevents any predators from being able to reach around into their living compartment and accessing them.
The size of the entrance tunnel is another important thing to look at when considering predator proofing. The larger the entrance hole, the more chance there is of a predator getting in. Look for a hedgehog house that has an entrance of no larger than 5”, as this will give the hedgehogs room to come and go comfortably, but will be too small for anything larger to get in.
Diseases
Hedgehogs are at their most susceptible to certain diseases whilst they hibernate as well, so if you can find a hedgehog house that will help keep them protected from bacteria then that’s also another great feature.
A lot of hedgehog houses now come treated with special antibacterial and antifungal coatings, which help ward off any diseases and keep the hedgehogs living in your garden safe and healthy as they sleep.
If your hedgehog house has been treated with an antibacterial coating, it’s also worth checking how long it will last before it needs to be treated again. You can then reapply as necessary at home, and help ensure you’ve got healthy residents year after year.
Cleaning
Once the hibernation period has passed and the hedgehog has vacated the premises, it’s a really good idea to give the hedgehog house a clean. This will ensure that it’s kept in good condition and will encourage return visitors next winter.
Look for a hedgehog house that has a removable lid, as this will allow you to take a quick peek inside and see if the residents have left, and will give you easier access to cleaning it out with boiling water.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do hedgehogs hibernate for?
Hedgehogs enter hibernation around October and leave their nests in the late spring, usually around April. This is, however, temperature dependent and you may still see some hedgehogs in your garden as late as November.
How can I encourage hedgehogs into my garden?
The first thing you need to do is make sure that hedgehogs actually have access to your garden. Most urban gardens are fenced off at the perimeters, so by making a small hole at the bottom of your fence you’ll be allowing a hedgehog access. Another good way to bring hedgehogs into your garden is to provide them with a safe space to spend the winter months away from the cold and from predators. The best way to do this is with a hedgehog house.