Hedgehog advice

[Pinkshrimp]

I was thrilled to see a hedgehog ambling across the lawn when I got the cat in the other week. I had seen hedgehog poop a couple of times, weeks and weeks apart, so I didn’t think I had a regular visitor.

After seeing it myself I have been leaving water and food out each night but, when I went to put the food out recently, there were half a dozen slugs waiting by the dish. It seems I’ve trained the slugs to know what time feeding time is!

I keep leaving food out-hoping the slugs will attract the hedgehog- but does anyone have any tips? Is there a food that slugs hate but hedgehogs love? Do slug proof dishes exist?

Thank you @DCIHoops I have just added the app. It’s been a while since I’ve seen any sign and, as my cat is getting ridiculously fat, it’s safe to say they aren’t around and visiting my garden any more. I will keep my eye out in spring and report any sightings on the app (& maybe back here) and have a read of all the info to see what more I can do to help them.
Thank you 😊

Mine ignore the slugs but happily share their food.

The slugs tend to only come when it's wet as I feed on the deck and the slugs don't like it.

One day in July I had 6 hogs on at once. One is a huge guy and I think he's quite old. And there was a mum with 3 youngsters (not babies) she chased another one away from her babies (she doesn't mind the big guy).

They are not around as much now, although the food is always gone in the morning

The scruffy board is down to make them easier to watch. They are almost invisible on the decking.

I love how you spoil them worth romantic lighting
Must be thrilling to have so many visiting you.

IAintent You've got a whole family! In the small pic with the bottle light. It looked like a spaniel sitting watching with a fancy coat on !

@ppeatfruit

IAintent You've got a whole family! In the small pic with the bottle light. It looked like a spaniel sitting watching with a fancy coat on !

Haha I hadn't noticed that. It's a reflection. That is just outside my lounge and I can see them from my sofa.

Photos aren't easy as apart from the 'old bugger' the others disappear quickly when I open the door. The light doesn't seem to bother them at all though.

We use a hedgehog house on the patio as a hedgehog "cafe" to stop cats and seagulls eating the food @Pinkshrimp. It doesn't stop the slugs but they seem to hang around for a post-dinner nap so it makes it easy to catch them.

We have steps up to our terrace , the cats sometimes leave so much food that we throw it onto the grass off the steps for everyone (birds, stray dogs etc.) to eat !! The hedgehogs don't always come anyway. Sometimes they come up the steps to eat the cat's suppers. (there are little poos left by them) Never any slugs , there were some when we first moved here but now there are none just an odd few snails .

I’ve downloaded the app above and it gives instructions for a feeding station that cats can’t enter, I will try that next year. I don’t think anything will stop the slugs!