Hi Gr8mums
That’s so exciting to have two hoglets!
Sadly it’s quite possible that both will move out, but nothing is certain with hedgehogs. Mum may well move for hibernation as well. They normally make a new, more elaborate nest for hibernation and if you think of it, it makes sense for them to build it somewhere else to minimise parasites such as ticks and fleas.
If any of them vacate before the autumn, you may find you get a chance to clear out the boxes and then it’s possible they may be used again. Before you attempt to do that, you need to make sure that no-one is in residence. But then clear out any bedding and wash out with boiling water to kill any parasite eggs which may have got into the cracks. (Don’t use insecticide as it may upset the hogs.) It is really important though, that you don’t disturb a nursing female as she may desert the young. Hogs can go on breeding for as long as the males are still around – they tend to go off for hibernation a bit earlier than the females.
Once you have done that you could put a small amount of new bedding in, but many hogs like to choose their own, so some piles of suitable material nearby is a good idea. A young hoglet here last year used leaves and long ornamental grasses which he wove all together. Amazing how they know what to do!
Good luck.
