{"id":342622,"date":"2026-03-12T15:39:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T15:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/342622\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T15:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T15:39:09","slug":"irish-gardeners-urged-to-cut-holes-in-fences-before-april","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/342622\/","title":{"rendered":"Irish gardeners urged to cut holes in fences before April"},"content":{"rendered":"

Households across Ireland are being urged to create small ‘hedgehog highway’ holes in fences before April.\"Gardeners<\/p>\n

Gardeners urged to drill holes in garden fence this spring(Image: (Image: Getty))<\/p>\n

Households across Ireland are being urged to take action before April as hedgehogs wake from their winter hibernation and begin foraging across gardens <\/a>nationwide.<\/p>\n

Hedgehogs, which spend most of the colder months asleep, will be active in Ireland from April through to October, with peak breeding expected during the summer months.<\/p>\n

During this time, they roam in search of food<\/a>, water and safe nesting spots – but even small obstacles like garden walls or tightly closed fences can be a major obstacle.<\/p>\n

Wildlife experts<\/a> are encouraging homeowners to create hedgehog friendly holes and gaps to help the species, which has seen significant declines in Ireland over recent decades, thrive.<\/p>\n

The concept of a ‘hedgehog highway’ involves cutting small holes in hedges and fences to form a safe path for the animals to move between gardens.<\/p>\n

These corridors not only support foraging and breeding, but also reduce the risk of hedgehogs <\/a>being harmed on roads as they travel.<\/p>\n

\"Stock<\/p>\n

Stock photo showing hole cut in base of wooden fence allowing hedgehogs access(Image: mtreasure via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Anton Baskerville from Woodlands.co.uk<\/a> explained: “Hedgehogs like to roam large distances to find food, mates and nesting sites.<\/p>\n

“In urban environments, fences, walls and other barriers can limit their movement, making it harder for them to meet these basic needs.<\/p>\n

“A hedgehog highway enables them to safely travel between gardens and other habitats, greatly improving their chances of survival and reproduction.”<\/p>\n

Building a hedgehog highway is easy and doesn’t involve removing large sections of fencing or hedges. Environmental consultancy group Thomson Environmental Consultants <\/a>advised: “Creating a CD-case-sized gap in garden fences allows hedgehogs to move freely between gardens.<\/p>\n

“By coordinating with your neighbours, you can establish a connected network of gardens and mark gaps to raise awareness.”<\/p>\n

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