Sometimes, in addition to the owners, very unusual neighbors settle on the garden plots. We are talking about hedgehogs. You can benefit from such a neighborhood. After all, hedgehogs are able to destroy harmful insects. They are also quite cute and evoke positive emotions in children and adults alike. However, it is worth remembering that these animals are not tame. Therefore, before attaching them to the site, it is worth finding out how safe they are.
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Pros and cons of neighborhood hedgehogs
The main positive ability of hedgehogs is their natural need for food. The fact is that these animals are omnivorous. However, most of all they like to feast on snails, worms, slugs, harmful insects and their larvae, thereby saving plants from the attacks of these pests. It is especially noteworthy that hedgehogs naturally save the garden from such a misfortune as a bear. Along with the above pests, hedgehogs destroy small mice and snakes.
However, along with the positive aspects, there are also negative aspects of the presence of cute animals:
- animals carry parasites like fleas and ticks on their skin and needles. And since hedgehogs are not pets, it is impossible to simply wash them with zooshampoo to get rid of the problem;
- hedgehogs are able to bite, and due to the special structure of their teeth, a wound inflicted on an animal turns out to be torn and does not heal well. In addition, an infection can enter the wound. Animals can infect with rabies;
- hedgehogs are carriers of lichen and salmonellosis. Therefore, it is worth limiting the communication of children with these animals.
However, if you are careful, you can get more benefits from the stay of hedgehogs on the site than problems.
To make the hedgehog comfortable
Hedgehogs are rather shy animals, so it is worth providing a safe shelter for their residence. If you have free time and desire, you can even make a special wooden house with your own hands with a tunnel-shaped entrance. You can put dry foliage inside the house, it will remind animals of their natural environment. Such a dwelling is favorably located in the far corner of the garden.
A net-netting, in which a small animal can get stuck, can become a real trap for hedgehogs. Therefore, for fences, it is better to choose other materials or provide a clearance to the ground of at least 0.2 m.
Do not throw open containers with chemicals and toxic substances unattended, the animal can get there and get poisoned.
If there is a pond with smooth sides on the site, you should be especially careful. A hedgehog who has fallen into a pond will not be able to get out of there and will drown, despite the fact that he can swim.
In the alleged places where hedgehogs are located, you should carefully use lawn mowers and other garden tools. Hedgehogs tend to burrow into leaves or compost heaps, in which a small animal can be overlooked.
If you adhere to all precautions, do not come into close contact with the animal, you can not worry about infection and lead a peaceful coexistence.
Do you have hedgehogs on the site?
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