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Participant Information Sheet
Before you take part, look through the project details before giving us your consent
Purpose of the study
We will explore which urban mammals occupy gardens, particularly mice, rats and hedgehogs, and see which garden features attract species, such as bird feeders. This will uncover risks to hedgehogs because hedgehogs living in the same gardens as rats and mice are more likely to come across rodenticides that are used to treat infestations. All you would have to do is record an area of your garden using sardines as bait to attract nearby wildlife.
Requirements
You are eligible to take part if you live in Great Britain or on the island of Ireland and have access to a garden and a motion-activated wildlife or security camera. If you live in or near Reading or Bracknell, we may be able to lend you a camera.
What will you do?
Taking part is straightforward and should not take more than a few minutes each day during the trial
Participate in Summer 2026 and Winter 2026/2027.
The survey should be run for a minimum of 7 days. Participants are welcome to continue for up to 14 days if they wish.
The survey involves making a small hole in a tin of sardines and attaching it securely to a sturdy structure (e.g. a fence or pole). The tin should be positioned no higher than 10 cm above the ground to allow hedgehogs to investigate it. Ensure the tin is fastened securely, as animals may attempt to remove it.
Place the camera approximately 2 metres from the bait station and position it to record animals visiting the area throughout the survey. To maintain a consistent scent source, replace the sardine tin every 3–4 days. Check the camera regularly and replace the SD card if it becomes full. If an animal removes the tin, replace it as soon as possible.
At the end of the survey, upload your images to Mammal Web.
You will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire about the features of your garden.
Your rights
Right to withdraw from participating at any time if you change your mind.
Your private information will be kept confidential and only accessed by the research team.
Your name and contact details will not appear in any reports or publications.
Feel free to ask us any questions at any time. Please contact us using the details below.
Data management
What data we collect: We'll collect the information you provide via online forms, such as the features of your garden. We'll also collect data from videos uploaded to MammalWeb as part of this project.
Personal information: Personal details such as postcode, names and email addresses will be stored separately from your camera-trap data. This means that your data will be anonymised before analysis.
Storage and security: Video data will be uploaded directly to MammalWeb and stored securely on their platform. All other data will be stored on password-protected university systems and/or encrypted drives, accessible only to members of the research team.
Risks to you
Risks associated with taking part are minimal as you’ll just be setting up cameras and sardine tins in your garden.
Participants should take care when handling sardine tins, cameras and when attaching equipment outdoors to avoid minor cuts, scrapes, or tripping hazards. Wildlife may approach the food bait, but there is no risk of injury from animals.
Standard precautions, such as washing hands after handling equipment and ensuring tins are securely fastened, are recommended.
As with all online projects, there is a very small risk of a data breach. However, all data will be stored securely and handled in line with the University of Reading’s data protection policies.
Any questions? Contact us at ratsandhogs@reading.ac.uk
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