HEDGEHOGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19859, 1 February 1928, Page 14

HEDGEHOGS.

Sir,—l noticed recently that the residents of one of Auckland's marine suburbs were becoming alarmed over tha increasing numbers of hedgehogs in their locality, their anxiety evidently being caused by the thought of the damage these animals might do to the vegetable and flower gardens. As far as my ex- : perience goes, they need have no fears on this score. In fact, I think I tan . safely say that, in a few years' tim«», quite an opposite effect will be noticed, especially if earwigs and similar pests' ' are at all prevalent. In the Wairarapa district..during the past 10 or 12 years hedgehogs havj increased very rapidly, and the decrease in earwigs (which at that time wer« one of the most serious pests with which gardeners had to contend), was qually as rapid, and this state of affairs was brought about solely, in rny opinion, by the hedgehogs. Whether they vrage war on snails I am not prepared to say, but they are certainly partial to f-lugs. One which I had tamed and kept in captivity for some months never considered a meal complete without a few of these delicacies. L. B. Shaw.