Hedgehogs, those funny, prickly creatures, often visit our gardens and vegetable patches. Despite some people’s fears, they are valuable allies for gardeners.
Why Hedgehogs Are Gardeners’ Friends
Some people mistakenly mistake hedgehogs for rodents, fearing for their crops. In reality, these animals are insectivorous mammals that hunt larvae and beetles that can damage plants. This makes hedgehogs an important part of the garden ecosystem.
Hedgehogs as natural hunters
Animal volunteer Ksenia Mykhailiuk from the First Private Hedgehog Shelter notes that hedgehogs hunt harmful insects, particularly those that threaten future crops. During the May beetle season, hedgehogs have a real feast, as they hunt them with great pleasure.
So, if a hedgehog lives in your garden, you don’t have to worry about beetles eating your plants. They become the natural defenders of your harvest.
