How to clean your hedgehog house
Mid Spring is a great time to clean out hedgehog hibernation boxes ready for the Summer nesting period. You can also check and make any repairs at the same time.
The best time to clean your hedgehog boxes is normally in April. This is usually after hibernation but before the nesting period begins (although note that climate change and regional differences make it difficult to be exact these days). Here is my step by step guide to what to do.
I recommend a sturdy wooden hedgehog box like this one. It provides the best protection against the elements and predators. Many commercially available hedgehog boxes are produced by people who have never seen a hedgehog because the dimensions are way too small and they are too flimsy to last long.
Check your hedgehog box is empty
You can place a little hay or a twig in the entrance to the house. If it is moved, you know something is using it. To know for sure, use a night camera. If you aren’t sure, be very gentle when moving the box and open the lid to take a little peak. Make sure you wear thick gloves whilst cleaning the hedgehog box.
Remove the old contents
Remove the current contents of the box.
Sweep out the hedgehog box
Clean out any loose material from the inside.
Clean the hedgehog house
I recommend boiling water. This will kill any parasites and bacteria. Many cleaning products (including Dettol) are toxic to hedgehogs (and other creatures). If you need to use anything else, I would only recommend a veterinary approved or pet-safe rabbit hutch cleaner which is non-toxic.
Dry the hedgehog box thoroughly
If it is a sunny day you can leave it outside or place it somewhere warm to dry out.
Replace the contents of the box
I recommend using dust extracted barley straw. I’ve found that hay tends to go soggy and mouldy in these wet conditions and straw can be too sharp. Hedgehogs will add leaves and other materials to the nest. I don’t use newspaper in the hedgehog box because this can go soggy.
What to do if your hedgehog box is ‘hoggupied’
Don’t worry. Hedgehogs do clean their own nests and it is better not to disturb them. I always leave some dust extracted barley straw around the garden underneath something to keep it dry and then hedgehogs can choose material to add to their nest at any time. Also leave long areas of grass that the hedgehog can tear off for its nest.
Place your hedgehog house back
Place your hedgehog box back under cover. If your box has not been used in its previous location, it may be worth considering relocating it. How the box is sited is crucial for the chances of it being used by a hedgehog. Read my blog for more information and a video showing how to locate your hedgehog house.
I run a hedgehog hospital in York, England. You can read more about me and how to support my work. Like all wildlife rescues, my work is entirely self-funded. If you have found this information useful, please consider making a donation or checking out my silver nature jewellery that raises vital funds for my work – you can visit my shop here.
Little Silver Hedgehog 
Bitte verwenden Sie KEIN HEU – sondern nur Stroh, trockenes Laub und trockenes Moos. Stroh hat lange Halme und die Igelchen können sich die Beinchen abbinden, wenn sie ihr Nest “drehen” ! Danke. Info: Draußen in der Natur keine anderen Materialien verwenden wie Zeitung, Karton o.ä. da es feucht wird und schimmelt.
I would like some advice on cleaning my hedgehog box for the first time.
The hedgehog is still using the box,and I am concerned about disturbing him/her whilst they are sleeping.
What would you suggest would be the best time of day to clean the box,without me causing too much harm.
Thank you
It’s lovely to read that so many people are helping our little hedgehog’s, I’ve lost count on how many hedgehog’s come and feed on my patio but there’s at least 8 of all different sizes. I also have 2 cats that try and play with them but unfortunately for the cats the hedgehog’s just roll up or walk away. The only way for the cats to get out at night is for me to leave the patio door open and this is an open opportunity for the hedgehog’s too enter my house, i really don’t mind this and there’s been so many times I’ve gone to bed and listened to the hedgehog’s snuffling around and even playing in the cats toy box. So many people have said to me that this is not a good idea because they are a wild animal but too see a little hedgehog fast asleep in a box or cats bed how can anyone say no. Please keep feeding and looking out for our little friends so there around for years to come.
I have been unable to clean out my hedgehog house as there is always a hedgehog there. I have replaced the straw in the tunnel and on top of the hedgehog but not underneath. What can I do?
You can change the bedding any time – main thing is to check that it is empty….
I bought a hedgehog house last year having been feeding a couple of hedgehogs every night through the summer. When I checked to see if I had had a hedgehog hibernate in there after the first few days of the hot weather the other week, I was v pleased to see a hog asleep. However it was fairly smelly in the house so I now wonder if I need to change the bedding? Presuming that it is still using the house (again I am already feeding 2 hogs every night), should I do it just before dusk so as to minimise disturbance? I was wondering about putting it a box just whilst I change the hay/straw bedding (obviously using gloves to minimise my smell on the new bedding, and then putting it back in the house. Any advice would be much appreciated. By the way I use a semi moist bought hedgehog food which they love – and which my 2 cats do not bother to touch when I put it out!
Many thanks
Last night I saw 1 of the 3 hedgehogs in my garden having a drink of water .
I have 3 hibernation boxes so hoping to see the others have survived in due course , worried as 1 was quite small and was feeding on dog food during the day before it hibernated.
I bought a full case of hedgehog food (meat ) but found mine would not eat it.
Wondered if there is a sanctuary in my area (Preston Lancs) that I could give to
This is wonderful to read! Great news!
I’ve just cleaned out the box and I’m delighted to say that someone has been wintering in it. There were lots of leaves and twigs mixed in with the hay into a densely packed mass. This is very gratifying. A hedgehog has been spotted by my neighbour but I haven’t seen any myself this spring. There was a big fat hedgehog and a normal sized hedgehog last summer.
This is very useful. I’ll put this in my diary for mid April.
I posted a photograph i took on … I think, 11th October, of a huge BUT beautiful hedgehog that had got himself stuck. Hope you like it
I highly recommend them but still agree with my comments not to get one with a micro SD. The amount of times I have nearly lost it is very silly! x
Someone appears to be living in my x3 wildlife dens – but don’t know who – so need a spycam. Just read your earlier (very informative) blog on trail cameras. Further investigation/research required.