October is one of the most important months in the hedgehog calendar. As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, our local hogs are busy feeding, nest building and preparing for the long winter ahead. For many, especially youngsters — the next few weeks can determine whether they survive until spring.

The good news is that small actions from local wildlife supporters can make a huge difference. Here’s how BUWG members can help hedgehogs right now.

🍂 Create Safe Autumn Habitat

Hedgehogs rely on natural cover to build their winter nests (hibernacula). A tidy garden is lovely for humans, but a slightly wild one is heaven for hogs.

• Leave leaf piles, log stacks and untidy corners

• Let a patch of grass grow long

• Check compost heaps before turning — hogs often sleep inside

• Avoid excessive autumn “clean ups”; insects and shelter matter more than neat borders

A quiet corner with leaves and twigs can become a life saving winter home.

🔥 Bonfire Season: A Hidden Danger

Bonfires built early are irresistible to hedgehogs looking for shelter. Sadly, many don’t make it out once the fire is lit.

If you’re having a bonfire this autumn:

• Build it on the day you light it

• If already built, move the entire pile before lighting

• Check thoroughly using a torch and a long pole

• Leave a tunnel / escape route to the rear

• Light from one side only to allow escape routes

This is one of the most important actions you can take in October.

🏡 Offer a Hedgehog a House

A simple hedgehog house can provide a safe, dry winter refuge.

Look for:

• A tunnel entrance (keeps cats out)

• A waterproof roof

• Space for nesting materials

• A quiet, undisturbed location

Even a homemade wooden box covered with leaves can do the job beautifully.

🍽️ Food & Water: Essential Autumn Support

Natural food declines sharply in late autumn, so supplementary feeding is hugely helpful.

What to put out:

• Meaty cat/dog food

• Kitten biscuits

• Specialist hedgehog food

• Fresh water every day

Avoid milk and bread — they cause illness.

A simple feeding station (a box with a 13×13cm entrance) keeps food dry and stops cats pinching it.

🌙 Hedgehog Highways

Hedgehogs roam up to 2km a night. A single blocked garden can cut off vital feeding routes.

• Create a 13cm × 13cm hole at the base of your fence

• Coordinate with neighbours to build a connected network

• Mark your highway with a small sign to encourage others

This is one of the easiest, most effective ways to support hedgehogs locally.

🚑 Spotting a Hedgehog in Trouble

A hedgehog seen in daylight in October is almost always struggling.

Look for:

• Small size (under 450–500g)

• Wobbling or lethargy

• Out in the open during the day

Contact a rescue immediately — the British Hedgehog Preservation Society can direct you to the nearest one.

🗑️ Reduce Hazards

• Keep garden netting raised 22–30cm off the ground

• Avoid slug pellets and pesticides

• Add escape ramps to ponds

• Check long grass before strimming

• Never run robotic mowers at night

These small adjustments prevent countless injuries.

🌟 A Final Word from BUWG

With hedgehog numbers declining across the UK, every garden in Bradford and beyond can become part of a life saving network. A bowl of water, a hole in a fence, a checked bonfire — these simple acts genuinely change outcomes for our local wildlife.Let’s make October a safer month for one of Britain’s most beloved mammals.