Frogs are an important part of the food chain, but can quickly become a nuisance if they take shelter in your backyard. Dealing with the loud croaks late into the night and the potential risk to pets from poisonous species can be quite worrying.
To address the challenge of removing frogs from your backyard without conflicting with animal protection laws, we’ve prepared a comprehensive guide outlining the most humane methods.
Know the Frog Species
Study or do quick research to identify the type of frog in your garden. This will help you determine whether the frog species in question falls under the endangered or protected species list. You risk falling into trouble with the law if you try to harm an endangered species on the verge of extinction.
Seek professional services if you are in doubt.
Frog Attractants
Attractants in your garden could be anything from food to water bodies like ponds. Some other attractants include :
Shelter
Frogs will prefer your garden if you have tall grass and plenty of weeds around.
Insects
Insects are a primary food source for frogs, and no doubt they will find their way into your yard for a feast. Look out for bugs such as flies and mosquitoes in your garden.
Water
Open water sources could be the reason frogs are basking in your yard right now. You want to check out your landscape or drainage sources to ensure you do not have unwanted water bodies around your garden.
Lighting
Night lights in your garden are an insect attractant. These insects in turn pull frogs into your yard.
How to Get Rid of Frogs in the Most Humane Ways
1. Lessen Their Natural Environment
Frogs love shelter and water. Get rid of the frogs by removing their natural habitat in your garden.
- Drain off ponds or pools in your garden for a couple of weeks. Also, consider covering the pool if you are not using it.
- If you have domestic animals in the garden that need water, ensure you empty and clean their troughs frequently.
- Slash off weeds and overgrown plants in your yard. Keep your lawn mowed, always.
2. Cut Off Their Food Supply
The classic food for frogs is bugs or insects. Get rid of them in your garden, and you can say bye to sleepless nights.
Notably, frogs can also feed on alternative food sources, such as pet food lying outside your house.
- Use mild insecticides.
- Keep leftover pet food inside after feeding your pets.
- Turn off the garden lighting at night.
3. Set Up A Barrier
How high is your garden barrier or fence because frogs can hop?
Species like the American Bullfrogs can hope two feet high. Your best shot here will be to erect a barrier higher than two feet.
When setting up a barrier, consider using a mesh around our garden with holes smaller than a chicken wire, as frogs can also squeeze through.
Also, ensure that posts holding your fence are sturdy to prevent them from tipping over. If your budget allows, consider using concrete or metallic posts which last longer than the wooden ones.
4. Capture And Remove
After you have made your garden frog-proof using the steps above, you can physically pick them off one by one.
Capture the Frogs at Night
Frogs are nocturnal creatures. They are most active when dark, giving you the right time to capture the pests.
Walk around your garden with a torch and shine it directly in their eyes. This startles and immobilizes them, making it easier for you to capture them.
Frogs can’t turn around and look behind their backs, which is a plus for you.
Scoop the Frogs out of your Pool
To do this well, you will need a long handle scoop net with small holes. Use it to scoop the frog out of your pool or pond and place them in a separate tall container.
As you scoop the frogs up and out, have someone else open and close the lid of the tall container immediately to prevent them from jumping out.
5. Sprinkle Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds have proven helpful in getting rid of frogs. Spread them on the ground around your yard. The grounds cause discomfort to them when they step on them.
Coffee grounds also double up as crucial nutrients to your plants.
6. Use Salt Water
Using saltwater is quite valuable for deterring frogs in your garden, though not as much. Saltwater creates a film that stings the frog’s feet, which helps deter them, although for a while.
Sprinkle the water on surfaces and walkways. Take care not to expose your plants to saltwater.
7. Use Vinegar
Vinegar is an alternative to using saltwater. It has the same effect as saltwater on frogs, temporarily stinging them.
Avoid spraying it on your garden plants because of its high acidity levels.
8. Use a Snake Repellent
I get you. We are dealing with frogs here and not snakes.
But the exciting bit is that frogs get scared easily by snake repellents, just like snakes.
The repellent won’t eliminate the frogs, but it will help you get rid of their presence in your garden.
Hinder Their Reproduction Process
Get Rid of the Eggs
Most frogs lay eggs during the rainy season and will continue laying them till it ends. They usually cluster their eggs together in a jelly mass.
Scoop the eggs out of your pond and move them to a natural habitat instead of leaving them out in the heat to die. There is a slight difference between toad and frog eggs.
Toads clump their eggs together in a string-shaped form.
Conclusion
Frogs can cause a lot of trouble in your backyard if their population goes out of control. Thankfully by deploying the above methods, you will enjoy a frog-free backyard.
