Cornwall Hedgehog Charity Urges Gardeners to Ditch Pesticides

As the gardening season begins, Cornwall Hedgehog charity is urging gardeners to avoid using pesticides to safeguard wildlife and ecosystems, particularly hedgehogs.

Emma Brown from Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue emphasises the importance of adopting a natural approach, highlighting that pesticides severely impact hedgehogs by diminishing their food supply and potentially poisoning them directly through contaminated prey.

Hedgehogs rely on a diet of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, and worms, which can be eradicated by chemical treatments.

Additionally, pesticides also harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, disrupting the balance of garden ecosystems.

Prickles and Paws suggests wildlife-friendly alternatives, such as coffee grounds and egg shells for fertilizer.

Emma Brown from Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue said: "A thriving garden doesn’t need chemicals, just a little patience and care."

By stepping away from chemical dependencies, gardeners create space where hedgehogs and other wildlife can flourish naturally.

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