There are few cuter and friendlier creatures than the humble hedgehog. These prickly little mammals will steal your heart with their sweet faces and inquisitive nature. But they’re also notoriously shy and cautious animals that need a safe, snug nest to feel at home. Constructing a hedgehog home is a simple way to provide your pet with a cozy new abode. The structure should be situated in an accessible location, preferably near the main house or garden area where you see them most frequently. This way, they have somewhere warm and safe to retreat after exploring in your yard. Here are some tips on how to build a nice cozy hedgehog house for your pet.
What You’ll Need
Except you will need some basic tools, you can build a house for your hedgehog with any materials you have on hand, but there are a few things you’ll want to splurge on. A sturdy wooden base will be more durable than something like cardboard. You’ll also want to make sure you purchase some sturdy, tightly woven netting for the roof of the house. If you plan to add a wooden ramp to the front of the house, be sure to use fir or cedar to avoid any unwanted pests or odors. And, of course, you’ll need to buy a few bags of soil to fill the bottom of the house to create a warm, cozy bed for your pet.
Step One: Decide Where to Build
You need to make sure your hedgehog house is protected from the wind and cold weather. Keep it in a warm, protected area of your yard, preferably near the main house or a garden. Hedgehogs enjoy getting out and exploring, but you don’t want them wandering too far or getting into trouble. You also want to make sure the house is sheltered from the rain. If you put it under an overhanging roof, it will be protected from the worst of the weather.
Step Two: Install a Floor
The base of your hedgehog house should be an enclosed space with a floor. This will provide a warm, cozy place for your pet to sleep. It will also keep the soil inside the house from getting muddy or wet. You can use almost anything for the floor of the house. You can buy some cedar shavings to use as the floor if you prefer. Cedar shavings repel insects, so they’re great for a house you plan to keep your hedgehog in all year long.
Step Three: Add a Back Wall
You’ll want to build a back wall for the house, too. This keeps the soil inside the house where it belongs and provides your hedgehog with a safe, enclosed space. Use some thin wooden boards, wooden lattice, or screen to create a back wall. You can attach the boards to the inside of the house with small nails or wood screws.
Step Four: Add a Roof
The roof of your hedgehog house is where you can really go wild with creativity. You can try building a roof out of almost anything. If you have a few shingles left over from a home remodel, that would be great. You can also use thin wooden boards or thin piece of tin. You can even use an old piece of carpet for the roof of your hedgehog house.
Step Five: Add Two Sides
Your hedgehog house will be complete with just two sides. Use thin wooden boards or thin pieces of tin to create the walls of the house. If you use tin, be sure to hammer it into a curve so your hedgehog doesn’t get cut on the sharp edges.
Conclusion
A hedgehog house is a simple way to provide your pet with a cozy new home. The structure should be situated in an accessible location, preferably near the main house or garden area where you see them most frequently. You can use almost any materials for the house as long as it’s sturdy and safe for your hedgehog. Now that you know how to build a hedgehog house, your pet will be happy, warm, and cozy. This is the best way to provide your pet with a safe and cozy nest, while also giving your pet plenty of privacy.
Andrea is a garden and DIY enthusiast. She always comes up with great ideas and the latest trends in the interior or outdoor design.
