UK households have been told to consider drilling holes in the bottom of their fences before the end of summer, to encourage dwindling wildlife back into their gardens.

The number of hedgehogs is significantly down in recent years because of changes to the environment, our gardening habits and more.

And while budding gardeners have been told that doing this one thing will encourage hedgehogs back into the garden, there's also another handy reason these creatures are beneficial for your garden too.

Fighting garden pests

That's because they help get rid of slugs and snails – and make sure those slimy pests don't get at our prized homegrown veggies and plants.

They're also a great pest exterminator and love to eat slugs and snails.

Hedgehogs are usually seen in late summer and early autumn, so experts advise making your garden hedgehog-friendly now, in order to reap the benefits.

Why are hedgehog numbers down?

Wildlife shop NHBS told the Express that hedgehog numbers are down because of people putting up solid walls and fences around their houses.

It said: 'Research suggests that this is partly because it is becoming harder for hedgehogs to move freely due to an increase in the number of solid walls and fences being erected around gardens.

'This reduces the available foraging area and so restricts the amount of food that they can eat as well as reducing the possibility of meeting a mate.

'Creating a hole in a garden wall or fence will allow your local hedgehogs to pass through from garden to garden safely.'

How to create a hole in your garden fence

Simply cut a small, roughly hedgehog-sized hole in the bottom of your garden fence, cut a few inches of wood off the bottom, or raise the entire panel by a few inches so that a hedgehog can squeeze underneath.

However, you'll want to make sure you don't raise it too much, so that a person can't squeeze through.

The expert site says: 'A hole measuring 13cm by 13cm is the right size for a hedgehog to pass through, but too small for most pets. Once you have made your hole in the fence or wall, you can fix the Eco Hedgehog Hole Plate to the fence, ensuring that the hole does not get blocked or stretched.

'The plate has six screw holes, three along each side, which can be used to fix the plate to your fence or wall. Additional holes can be made in the plastic if required.'