Why are hedgehogs not interested in my hedgehog house? – Hayley Matthews

She loves feeding the birds, foxes and wildlife, so when I mentioned I'd seen a hedgehog house for sale she thought it was a nice idea.

Squirrels, bats, foxes and all sorts come in to my back garden which lies near the back of a railway line, so I’ve seen lots of wildlife hang about our bit.

Now, I'm no hedgehog expert but I do know that they need tunnels or gaps in the garden fences to get around collecting food.

I don't think our garden walls have many gaps in the rock and stone. However, not wanting to be someone to deny a hedgehog a home, I purchased the pricey £50 house in the hope of it being able to provide a home for a prickly cute wee family.

So far, the neighbourhood cats have whizzed up against it and it's been crapped on by the seagulls who pinch the birdseed for my visiting blackbirds and robins.

It’s been there for months, but last time I checked, it still had a "to let” sign nailed to a post at the front entrance.

So short of putting an ad on Gumtree, I think I need some hedgehog advice on how to help them.

The ad, just out of interest, would go something like this... “Small curved wooden home, suitable for single or family occupancy. No rent, just the odd sighting and wave of a cute little paw will suffice. All meals provided by landowner. However, beware of fluffy aggressive four-legged neighbours who tend to urinate up against the property. No need to apply within, just move in.”

And if anyone has a hedgehog that needs a house – get me on Facebook!

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