Why Hedgehogs Are a Pest in New Zealand, and What You Can Do About It

The Hidden Threat of Hedgehogs

Introduced to New Zealand in the 1870s to comfort British settlers, hedgehogs have since become one of the country’s most underrated predators. With few natural enemies here, their population has exploded.

What Makes Hedgehogs a Pest?

Despite their cuddly reputation, hedgehogs are voracious hunters. Their diet includes:

Bird eggs and chicks: Hedgehogs prey on ground-nesting birds like the banded dotterel, black-fronted tern, and pied oystercatcher, often causing entire colonies to abandon nests 

Native lizards and skinks: Studies show up to 21% of hedgehogs have consumed skinks, with females eating more during breeding season.

Rare invertebrates: Hedgehogs feast on native insects like wētā, giant centipedes, and Powelliphanta snails, threatening species already on the brink.

One shocking study found a single hedgehog with 283 wētā legs in its stomach, equivalent to nearly 50 wētā consumed in one night.

Why Trapping Matters

Hedgehogs are not just a nuisance, they’re a conservation crisis. DOC and conservation groups have documented their destructive behavior through gut analysis and trail cameras. Removing hedgehogs is essential to protect New Zealand’s unique biodiversity.

Pestgard Traps offer an effective solution. With the right bait and strategic placement along fence lines or natural barriers, you can help reduce hedgehog populations in your area.

Why Choose Pestgard Traps?

Pestgard traps are designed for New Zealand conditions and target invasive species like hedgehogs. They’re:

• Easy to set up

• Safe for non-target species

• Proven effective in conservation projects

By using Pestgard traps, you help protect native birds, reptiles, and insects from hedgehog predation.

What is the Best Bait for Hedgehogs?

The best bait for trapping hedgehogs in New Zealand includes eggs, peanut butter, and meat-based options like rabbit or cat food. These baits appeal to their strong sense of smell and omnivorous diet.

Eggs: Raw chicken eggs are widely recommended, hedgehogs are known to raid nests for eggs, making this bait highly attractive.

Peanut Butter: a versatile bait used across various predator traps. Its strong scent and sticky texture make it ideal for hedgehogs, especially when paired with other attractants.

Meat-Based Baits: Hedgehogs are opportunistic feeders and respond well to, Rabbit meat, Cat food and Fish-based pet food. These options mimic the protein-rich prey hedgehogs consume in the wild, such as insects, lizards, and bird chicks.

Pro Tips for Catching Hedgehogs

Use scent to your advantage: Hedgehogs rely heavily on smell to locate food.

Place bait inside a tunnel trap: This protects non-target species and guides hedgehogs into the trap.

Refresh bait regularly: Replace bait every few days to maintain effectiveness.

Take Action

Whether you're a backyard conservationist or managing a larger property, trapping hedgehogs is a vital step toward restoring native ecosystems. Pestgard traps make it easy, safe, and effective.

Protect New Zealand’s wildlife - one trap at a time.

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