To dispose of hedgehog poop, you can simply leave it as natural fertilizer in your garden, compost it (if from a captive hedgehog and done safely), or scoop it up with gloves/tissue into a bag for the bin, especially from pet enclosures, using newspaper or puppy pads as liners to make cleanup easier. For pets, daily removal of solids from wheels and liners, flushing small bits down the toilet, and regular disinfecting are key.
I use an old toothbrush to scrub the poop off and then spray it with a water/vinegar solution to disinfect it.
Fungal Zoonotic Pathogens
The most common fungal skin infection transmitted by hedgehogs to humans is caused by the hedgehog dermatophyte Trichophyton erinacei. Numerous cases of T. erinacei ringworm infection in humans have been described after contact with pets or wild hedgehogs [43,44,45,46,47].
They don't use "latrines", or go back to the same place to poo like badgers and deer. Hedgehogs seem to poop pretty much wherever the urge takes them. Quite often literally on the run, like horses. You will likely spot droppings on your lawn or pathways.
Switching on outdoor security lights and making lots of noise can warn hedgehogs that something is happening and give them a chance to hide. Hedgehogs often have a routine so if you see a hedgehog out at a certain time – avoid letting the dog out during those times.
Hedgehogs typically hibernate from autumn to spring (October - March), but this can vary depending on the temperature and food available.
Hedgehogs will not usually eat and sleep in the same place so it's best not to offer food inside the home (except perhaps to tempt them in initially). Once there is a resident, move food away from the box so as not to attract predators or rival hedgehogs to the site.
As pets, hedgehogs can recognize and remember their owners' scent and voice, making them a loyal and affectionate companion. They can also quickly learn routines and habits, such as when it's time to eat or play.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so the best time to spot them is during the evening or night. They are most active just after sunset and before sunrise.
This decline is partly due to a loss of natural habitat, which provides both shelter and food for hedgehogs. Fencing, pesticides, garden hazards (like ponds, strimmers and netting) and development and construction also have an impact. And of course, cars are a major threat to hedgehogs, killing thousands each year.
Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets
Hedgehogs usually give birth in June and July, though the hoglet season can begin in early spring following a mild winter and stretch until autumn. The average litter size is four or five young, though can be as many as seven. However, they usually only wean two or three successfully.
Risk to domestic animal health
There are rare cases where pets (e.g. dogs and cats) or livestock have been infected with the strains of Salmonella Enteritidis found in hedgehogs. Although salmonellosis can affect pet dogs and cats, how often the disease is caught from hedgehogs is unknown.
Risk to human health
One of the lungworm species that infects hedgehogs (and also infects wild carnivores) in Great Britain, Capillaria aerophila, is known to be capable of occasionally infecting people.
A recycled newspaper bedding (Carefresh or similar product) should be used as a substrate for your hedgehog. Make the bedding several inches thick as hedgehogs like to burrow. The bedding should be replaced at least weekly, and changed more often as needed.
Signs of stress
Many hedgehogs are busy and want to try to explore but a stressed hedgehog will be much more persistent and not easily distracted. The stressed hedgehog may also twitch or shake its head nervously. It is almost as if the hedgehog is saying “Sensory overload. I can't take it anymore.”
Electronic repellents
These are useful tools for keeping hedgehogs away, as they do not harm the creature, but just creates an environment that does not attract it any further. Motion activated sprinkler repellents provide an innovative way to deter unwanted animals, such as hedgehogs.
They tend to follow the same routes each night, so these pathways can become more noticeable over time. Sounds: Despite their small size, hedgehogs can be surprisingly noisy. Listen for snuffling, huffing, and puffing sounds at night, particularly in spring after hedgehogs hibernate.
Hedgehogs mainly eat creepy crawlies
The majority of their diet is made up of invertebrates (or creepy crawlies). We know what they eat from scientific studies that have analysed hedgehog poo or looked in the stomachs of hedgehogs killed on roads.
Hedgehogs usually hibernate from October/November through to March/April. Research has shown that each individual is likely to move nesting sites at least once during this period and so can sometimes be seen out and about. During mild winters hedgehogs can remain active well into November and December.
Hedgehogs often comfort their owners with cuddles, licks, and offer their paws or cuddly bellies for rubs. Their defences completely drop if they are able to form a close connection with their hedgie parents.
A hedgehog will hear you before it sees you! Although their eyesight is poor, hedgehogs have great hearing and a well-developed sense of smell. They're also good runners, proficient climbers, and can even swim!
Hedgehogs can thrive living alone and do not need to be kept with other hedgehogs. Occasionally, two females may be housed together but it's typically recommended for hedgehogs to live alone.
Hedgehogs are known to be very communicative when it comes to their needs, and often make a low purring sound when they are happy or content.
Summer nests are generally loosely constructed balls of grass and leaves. Hibernacula, by contrast, are more tightly woven structures with walls several centimetres thick; they're composed of carefully placed leaves, twigs, grass other plant material and may measure up to 60cm (2 ft.) in diameter.
Unfortunately you cannot be sure that rats won't use the hog boxes. The first occupant in my first hog box was, sadly, a rat. It didn't manage to stay there long – I moved the box after giving it a good clean and sterilise with boiling water.