Participant Information Sheet

Before you take part, look through the project details before giving us your consent

Purpose of the study

We want to assess how safe rodent bait boxes are for hedgehogs by investigating the ways in which hedgehogs may come into contact with rodenticides placed inside these boxes. This will be done through three separate projects (if you cannot participate in all projects, you are welcome to take part in just one or two instead). 

Slug visits to bait boxes

a) Hedgehogs may consume slugs that have entered bait boxes and eaten rodenticide. Therefore, we will assess the number of slugs entering bait boxes to determine the potential risk they pose to hedgehogs.

b) Slug visits may be influenced by the type of slug deterrent used, which could affect the risk of poisoning to hedgehogs. We will compare slug counts across commonly used slug deterrent methods to assess their effectiveness at preventing slug entry into bait boxes.

Hedgehog visits to bait boxes

c) Some smaller hedgehogs may be able to fit through bait box openings and directly consume rodenticide, placing them at risk of poisoning. We will therefore assess hedgehog visits to bait boxes to better understand the potential risks bait boxes may pose to hedgehogs.

What will you do?

a) Slug visits

Summer 2026

• Participants will be provided with a bait box containing bait mixed with a biomarker dye to attract and mark slugs, along with a beer-filled slug trap.

• The bait box should be placed anywhere in the garden within 2 metres of a building. The bait will remain in the box for 3 days to allow visiting slugs to consume the biomarker dye.

• After the 3-day period, participants will remove the bait box and place the beer-filled slug trap in the same location for 1 day to collect visiting slugs. The collected slugs will then be retrieved by the researchers, who will use a UV torch to assess the proportion of slugs previously entering the bait box, identified by biomarker markings.

b) Slug deterrents

Summer 2026

• This experiment follows the same procedure described above. However, participants will additionally be randomly allocated to one of four slug deterrent treatments:

(i) no slug deterrent,
(ii) spearmint oil,
(iii) copper tape, or
(iv) coffee grounds.

• Participants assigned to a deterrent treatment will apply the deterrent around the bait box according to the provided instructions.

c) Hedgehog visits

Date: Late Summer 2026

• You will receive a bait box and footprint tracking plates, as well as a nontoxic bait. The footprint plates are used to identify which species enter the bait box and will allow us to record species visits. 

• Footprint plates will be replaced with a new one daily (if they have footprints). The bait box can be placed anywhere in your garden as long as it is within 2 meters of a building, and the footprint plate must be placed inside the box, as well as an ink pad near the entrance to mark the animal's footprints. The bait will be placed inside the bait box. 

• We ask that you record hedgehog visits for at least a month, as this increases the likelihood of juvenile hedgehogs entering. A form will be provided so that you can record information and upload photos of the footprint plates daily.

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.

Data management

What data we collect: We'll collect slug and mammal survey data from you.

Personal information: We will collect your name, address and email during this study.

Storage and security: Data will be stored on password-protected university systems and/or encrypted drives, accessible only to members of the research team. Personal data will be deleted upon the completion of the student's PhD.

Risks to you?

The risks associated with this study are minimal. 

Participants should take care when handling bait boxes and rodenticides to avoid minor cuts or contact with soil and insects. It is recommended to wear gloves when checking or cleaning bait boxes and to wash hands afterwards. Care should also be taken when placing or retrieving bait boxes outdoors to avoid slipping or tripping hazards. 

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 slugsandhogs@reading.ac.uk