Hedgehogs and slugs/snails

[rary]

Reading through the GYO magazine, there is a reference to hedgehogs good for keeping slugs and snails down, and of course I have come across this in other gardening mags. and gardening programs on TV and wireless, yet there is information on the Vine showing that hedgehogs only eat slugs/snails when they can't get other sources of food, and when they do eat them they risk getting contamination in their intestines, which leads to their death, so if there is a danger to them why do people keep recommending that they be encouraged Into the garden to help control slugs and snails

[Nicos]

Goodness knows rary.
I helped nurse young and adult hedgehogs at home for a while back in the uk.
Most of the sick adults had lungworms from eating slugs and snails...and were often covered in ticks as they were already run down.
Sadly many died.
Heartbreaking when many of us are trying to help increase their numbers by providing a safe environment for them.

[Nicos]

Lungworm – Snuffles Hedgehog Rescue Four Oaks

[rary]

Thanks for that Nicos, I believe you posted that before but I couldn't find it, but did remember that a diet of slugs and snails was bad for the hedgehog, and of course people being told that they eat them may stop them putting out food for them to encourage them to eat the slugs and snails