With November bringing colder weather and shorter days, many garden animals start looking for safe places to spend the winter. Hedgehogs are especially in need of our help, as their numbers are falling. Setting up a hedgehog house under a shrub this month gives them a much-needed place to hibernate and greatly improves their chances of making it through the winter.

Hedgehogs look for quiet, hidden spots to sleep through the winter, such as under piles of logs, thick bushes, or compost heaps. A well-placed hedgehog house copies these natural shelters and gives even better protection from predators and bad weather. November is the best time to set up these houses, since hedgehogs are searching for safe places before the coldest weather arrives.

Pick a quiet, peaceful spot for your hedgehog house. Putting it under a thick shrub helps hide it and keeps it warmer, protecting it from wind and rain. Make sure the entrance does not face the wind. Try to keep the house away from busy parts of your garden, loud pets, or bright lights, as these can scare hedgehogs away.

To make the house more comfortable, add dry leaves, straw, or hay inside. This helps keep the hedgehog warm and lets it build a cozy nest. After you set up the house, try not to check inside. Waking a hibernating hedgehog can use up its energy and make it harder for it to survive. By following these steps in November, you give hedgehogs a real chance to get through winter and come out healthy in spring.