Pennsylvania winters can be harsh for wildlife, especially for hedgehogs seeking warmth during the coldest months. Creating a cozy shelter in your garden provides these helpful creatures a safe haven from freezing temperatures, snow, and predators. These small mammals need our help to survive the challenging winter conditions in our state.
In my own Pennsylvania garden, I built a hedgehog shelter last winter and was surprised to see signs it had been used by spring. Hedgehogs are beneficial garden allies, consuming slugs, beetles, and other pests that damage your plants. With some simple materials and a bit of time, you can create a winter refuge that helps these spiny friends thrive in your backyard.
1. Selecting The Perfect Location
A quiet corner of your yard, away from high-traffic areas but still protected from harsh Pennsylvania winds, makes an ideal spot. Look for areas under shrubs or near fence lines that offer natural windbreaks.
Morning sun exposure helps warm the shelter during winter days. Avoid flood-prone areas or spots where snow piles up from shoveling or plowing.
My neighbor placed her hedgehog house beneath an evergreen shrub, which provided additional protection during our heaviest snowfalls last January.
2. Gathering Weather-Resistant Materials
Untreated wood works best for the shelter’s frame – pine or cedar boards resist moisture common in Pennsylvania winters. Avoid pressure-treated lumber as it contains chemicals harmful to hedgehogs.
You’ll need a waterproof roof material like corrugated plastic or rubber roofing scraps. Hardware stores in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia often have affordable remnants perfect for this project.
For tools, gather a handsaw, screwdriver, drill with small bits, and weatherproof wood screws that won’t rust through our wet seasons.
3. Building A Cozy Wooden Structure
Start with a simple box design – approximately 18 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 10 inches tall. Pennsylvania hedgehogs need room to move but not so much space that heat escapes quickly.
Create two chambers by adding an internal wall with a 4-inch doorway between them. The outer chamber serves as an entrance tunnel while the inner chamber becomes their sleeping quarters.
Sand any rough edges smooth to prevent injuries to curious hedgehog noses. Remember to drill several small ventilation holes near the top of the box for air circulation.
4. Creating Natural Insulation Layers
Fallen oak and maple leaves make excellent insulation material and are abundant in Pennsylvania forests. Collect them after they’ve dried but before they decompose too much.
Straw works wonderfully as bedding but avoid hay, which can cause respiratory problems. Local farm supply stores in Lancaster County often sell small bales perfect for wildlife projects.
Layer the insulation materials inside the sleeping chamber about 3-4 inches deep. The hedgehogs will rearrange it to their liking, creating cozy nests that trap body heat during freezing nights.
5. Waterproofing Against Snow And Rain
Pennsylvania’s mix of snow, sleet, and winter rain demands proper waterproofing. Angle the roof slightly to encourage runoff, extending it about 2 inches beyond the walls on all sides.
Seal any gaps between roof materials with silicone caulk designed for outdoor use. I found this particularly important after watching how melting snow seeped into my first shelter attempt.
Place the entire structure on bricks or stones to elevate it slightly off the ground, preventing moisture absorption from below during our notorious freeze-thaw cycles.
6. Designing Predator-Proof Entrances
Create a tunnel entrance about 4 inches in diameter and 7 inches long – perfect for hedgehogs but too small for most Pennsylvania predators like raccoons or foxes. Bend the entrance slightly to block wind and prevent curious predators from reaching inside.
Add a small piece of wood as a rain guard above the entrance. During heavy Keystone State snowfalls, this simple addition prevents the doorway from becoming blocked.
Face the entrance away from prevailing winds, which typically come from the northwest in most Pennsylvania regions during winter months.
7. Maintaining Your Hedgehog Haven
Check the shelter periodically after heavy Pennsylvania storms, clearing snow from the entrance without disturbing potential residents. Gently brush away accumulation rather than digging, which might frighten sleeping hedgehogs.
Replace wet bedding materials in late winter if possible. February thaws provide good opportunities to refresh insulation before the final cold snaps hit our region.
Keep a small food station nearby with cat kibble and fresh water during transitional seasons. This helps hedgehogs build fat reserves before hibernation and recover after winter’s end.