Do hedgehogs eat rat poison or slug pellets?

If you are wondering if hedgehogs eat rat poison or slug pellets, the answer is YES. If the small mammals are in search of food, then they do not necessarily stop at rat poison or slug pellets as well as weed killers. Hedgehogs eat everythingwhat they find when they are hungry.

Content

Do hedgehogs eat rat poison or slug pellets?
- Why give up rat poison or slug pellets?
  - The night foraging in the garden
  - What about special slug pellets?

Why give up rat poison or slug pellets?

Not only that Hedgehogs eat thiswhen they are looking for food, they also lose their food base as a result. If, on the other hand, hedgehogs eat the rat poison or slug pellets they usually get sick from it and can die. You should therefore do without this kind of chemistry in your garden. Especially if the hedgehog finds little food in his territory, he eats both rat poison and slug pellets out of hunger, because he can not distinguish what is good or bad for him.

The night foraging in the garden

The nocturnal animal is mostly active at night to satisfy its hunger. The diet is very varied and ranges from insects and earthworms to snails and mice or rats. Even if the hedgehog does not directly ingest the rat poison or the slug pellets, if the prey animal has eaten this, it enters the hedgehog's organism via detours.

In his search for food, the hedgehog eats plenty of snails, which you no longer have to laboriously pick up by hand. For this reason, you can safely do without slug pellets and other poisons. You will do more harm to the hedgehog than to the slugs.

The hedgehog needs a poison-free garden so that he can eat and reproduce without worrying. If the snail plague in your garden is too big or you have to fight rats, then use alternatives to poison. You not only protect the environment, but also save the hedgehog's life.

What about special slug pellets?

In the meantime, slug pellets with a hedgehog and dog denaturant additive and the active ingredient metaldehyde are also sold in the trade. Is this better for the hedgehogs and does it not pose a threat to them? You should not use these slug pellets either. According to various studies, the metaldehyde is not quite as toxic to hedgehogs, but it is still toxic and endangers other animals. Since a few years there are slug pellets with the active ingredient iron phosphate. This active ingredient is harmless to all mammals. These products are sold under the name Adalan slug pellets or Ferramol slug pellets. You should keep your hands off this one, too. Although it is a biological poison, it is ultimately a poison that kills.

Author

Garden animal

Garden animal - A life with nature

Welcome to my animal blog! My name is Dirk and I am happy to take you on my journey through the fascinating world of animals and gardening.

Born 54 years ago, I have had an insatiable curiosity for the animal world around me since childhood. Although I have moved professionally in other industries, my true passion has always been animals and nature. It is remarkable how a small garden has become such an important part of my life.

Many of my fondest memories are associated with the animals that share our home. Whether it's the curious squirrels that scurry across the trees in the morning, the colorful variety of birds that visit our feeders, or the busy bees and butterflies that pollinate our flowers, every moment with them is invaluable to me.

This blog is my contribution to share my experiences, discoveries and insights with like-minded people. Here I will share stories of unforgettable encounters with animals, give tips on gardening and creating wildlife-friendly habitats, and take you on my journeys through nature.

Thank you so much for being here!

Cordial,
Dirk aka garden animal