At Cladco Profiles we are passionate about the environment, believing that the world and the creators in it should be preserved and looked after, which is why all Cladco Composite Decking boards are made of 100% recycled materials.
The boards do not warp, rot or splinter, and are the perfect material to build a hedgehog house from, so any hedgehog can survive the cold winter months of hibernation in composite comfort!
Hedgehogs are a gardener's best friend, providing a natural slug and snail control unit for flower beds. These prickly pals are, unfortunately, as of July 2020, classed as vulnerable to extinction mammals. Meaning, now more than ever is an important time to look after the nocturnal creatures in any way we can.
Now that the weather is getting colder, days shorter and the trees and bushes bare, many hedgehogs are beginning their hibernation process, fattening up and looking for a warm comfortable place to enter ‘true hibernation mode’.
During hibernation, hedgehogs can drop their body temperature, to match that of their surroundings, a state is known as torpor. Hedgehogs are one of the few animals that can do this.
Make your own hedgehog house by following the guide below, this can be made from any Cladco Composite Decking off Cuts. The box featured here was made out of two Cladco Composite Original Hollow decking Boards in Stone Grey.
Step one: Our decking boards are 150mm wide, for the desired size of the hedgehog house please glue/cut your excess boards to the sizes shown. Please note that if you don’t have the exact sizing in your offcuts please alter the specifications to your needs.
Step two: Using sumo grip adhesive, glue the four pieces of composite decking into a tunnel shape. If you don’t have adhesive you can use screws instead, but be careful to not split the boards. If you’re using sumo grip adhesive, it is advisable to place a heavy object on top of the seal and leave the glue to dry for at least 24 hours.
Step three: Use one of the 400m X 300mm boards as the hedgehog house lid. Attach the two metal hinges to the side of the lid.
build the hedgehog house, adding the feet to the base of the house.
Step four: Attach the tunnel, the tunnel will be slightly shorter than the height of the opening, this can then be slotted in at a slight angle, creating a ramp. Place an extra step beneath the tunnel for easy access for little hedgehog legs. For extra ventilation, drill a small hole in the back of the box and fit part of a hosepipe in.
Step five: Line the inside of the house with newspaper, dry leaves, and straw. Cover with polythene sheeting (optional). Pack soil and dead leaves around the outside of the house, being careful to keep the entrance pip and ventilation holes free of debris.
Choose a shady, sheltered space in your garden, for your hedgehog house to encourage hedgehog use! It is recommended to leave a shallow dish of freshwater out for hedgehogs through winter, as on milder days hedgehogs have been known to move nests while looking for food and water.
Snap a picture of your Cladco Composite Decking Hedgehog house and send it to [email protected] or use the #cladcohedgehoghouse for your chance to feature on Cladco Social media platforms.