Small, quiet, and often unnoticed among the plants, the hedgehog might seem insignificant at first glance. But its appearance is never without purpose. When this shy, nocturnal creature wanders into your garden, it carries with it a message — perhaps even a sign of personal change quietly unfolding in your life.
A Guest That’s Becoming Rare
Once a common sight in the countryside and suburban gardens, hedgehogs are now seen less and less often. In France alone, an estimated one million hedgehogs d!e each year, victims of road traffic, pesticides, habitat loss, and pollution. Today, this gentle insect-eater is a protected species, its survival increasingly threatened.
Yet for gardeners, the hedgehog is an invaluable ally. It naturally controls pests like slugs, snails, and harmful insects — helping to maintain a healthy garden without the need for chemicals.
Where Do They Hide — And How Can You Welcome Them?
Hedgehogs love peaceful, sheltered corners: piles of leaves, dense shrubs, old logs. If one chooses to settle in your garden, it’s because you’ve created a safe, undisturbed refuge.
Want to encourage them to stay or visit regularly? It’s simple:
Leave some wild, untamed areas in your garden.
Provide shelter with leaves, wood, or natural hiding spots.
Avoid pesticides and toxic products.
Most importantly, create openings in fences so they can travel between gardens freely.