Nature is full of many types of plants and animals, many of them are liked by most for their beauty and unique appearance, despite being of the same race or species it is possible to observe a great variety.
On the other hand, there are species that are still unknown to man. Therefore, when a new one is found, they are the object of much study, in order to know their characteristics and virtues.
In the case of the animal world, we also find beings whose purpose may seem questionable to us. Such is the case of insects such as flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, among others. However, even the smallest beings play a role in the ecosystem and help keep it balanced.
Despite being unpleasant for many, garden frogs are essential to maintain a healthy ecosystem and to keep the population of pests, such as mosquitoes, grasshoppers, caterpillars, moths, cockroaches, flies and others, under control. Since they feed on them. So, although they may not seem pretty or attractive to us, they play a very important role.
However, the frog population has been severely affected by environmental changes brought about by urbanization. Pollution has also negatively affected much of its habitat.
If you want to enhance your garden or patio, creating a new and highly attractive living space, while also protecting the local frog population, you will need to do a couple of things in order to attract them. But what are those things? Which is the process to follow? What methods can be implemented?
To know the answers to these and other questions, you cannot stop reading this article. In it you will find everything you need to know about how to have garden frogs, to get rid of pests naturally.
Instructions to have garden frogs
These amphibians are not present in all gardens. For there to be frogs in your garden, it must meet certain conditions to make it a pleasant environment for them. But how can you do it? It is important that you follow these instructions:
- You will need to provide a water source that is shallow, does not move, is accessible, and is away from light. This is because frogs drink and breathe through their skin, which needs to be moist for them to perform these basic functions. Since frogs use water to reproduce, the source must be large enough to hold both adult and young frogs.
- To improvise a pond, you can try to sink a shallow plastic container into the ground and voila! You will have solved the water problem and you will have a point in your favor.
- Give them a moist, shady shelter. Since prolonged exposure to the sun can cause dehydration, they tend to be more active at night. For this reason, you must create a shelter for them that offer them security and rest during daylight hours. This shelter should be in the shade and out of reach of frog predators.
- One way to create this shelter is by using an overturned ceramic pot. Prop it up on some rocks and put it in the shade, but close to the water source. This way they will feel motivated to enter and exit freely.
- Avoid the use of chemicals, as frogs are very susceptible to poisoning. If you want to attract frogs to your garden, you will need to change your gardening practices to ones that are organic.
- For example, instead of using synthetic fertilizers, choose soils that are rich in the right nutrients for each plant. You can also rotate crops to maintain rich soil and use organic fertilizer only when necessary.
- Remove plants that are toxic to frogs. Believe it or not, many vegetables and flowers are poisonous to them. Some of these plants are eggplant, rhubarb, potatoes, hydrangeas, daffodils, honeysuckle, and hyacinths, among others.
Now, what do you need to create your own pond for garden frogs? We’ll be looking at it right now.
What do you need to have garden frogs?
- First of all, you will need to have a good place in your yard or garden. It should be a corner that is partially shaded, as ponds need some direct sunlight to stay healthy.
- Using the proper tools, dig a hole that is shallow. It doesn’t matter what width you choose. But, as for the depth, it should not exceed 30 centimeters. On the other hand, the edges should be shallow so that the frogs can easily get in and out. Frogs can do well in shallow, shallow water. Oddly enough, they are susceptible to drowning in deeper water.
- Line the hole to hold in the water. This coating can be made of plastic or rubber. To ensure the durability of the coating, place a protective layer between the floor and the coating, to cushion it.
- You want to make sure the liner is large enough to cover the entire pond. Likewise, it must have a surplus of 60 centimeters on each of its sides.
- Secure the entire perimeter of the pond. This task consists of supporting the plastic sheets that were left as the edges of the pond. You can do this by placing cluttered stones on them or surrounding it with pieces of grass. No matter what object you choose for it, it should be heavy and large enough to hold the siding in place.
- Fill the pond with water. Actually, you should let it fill. Ideally, it should be with rainwater, rather than with tap water or a hose. To speed up the process, you can leave empty buckets, to fill with rainwater, and then pour them into the pond.
- Add a bucket of water collected from a local swamp or pond. By doing this, you will be introducing millions of microscopically sized organisms, which can go a long way in kick-starting the pond ecosystem and making it more livable and attractive to frogs.
- Plant some native water plants inside the pond. This will attract local frogs, but make sure they don’t stick out of it so they don’t suffocate wildlife outside.
- Make them a shelter. One edge of the pond should have vegetation thick enough for the frogs to get between. You can use ferns and lilies, as well as ground cover such as bushes and vines.
You will surely have a lot of fun during the whole process. After you have done this, what else should you take into account to have frogs in your garden? We will see it next.
Tips for having garden frogs
It can take years for frogs to take shelter in your pond, even if you have the environmental conditions for them to live there. Therefore, it is necessary that you have a lot of patience and do not rush to give up.
Never force frogs into your pond. Most likely they will not survive. In addition, they could spread a large number of dangerous diseases for the native fauna.
Even if you try to attract only native frogs, non-native frogs will also arrive. You must eliminate them, as they will compete with the local ones for their food and shelter. In fact, some are so aggressive that they can even eat local species.
Also, you should know that it is very difficult to control the population of these species, since they do not have natural predators and are usually very dangerous. You can search the internet to identify what they are.
In case you find invasive species, the best thing you can do is contact the environmental agency of the government of your country. They will give you the support and advice you need to dispose of them responsibly.
Frogs generally hibernate in the winter, so don’t worry about them if you see them sleeping near the bottom of the pond during the cold, as this behavior is completely normal.
Do not place a fountain inside the water pond. If you do, eggs laid by frogs and tadpoles may get caught in the bomb. Also, do not raise fish inside it. The fish eat the frogs’ eggs and compete with them for food.
Keep your lawn trimmed. Frogs tend to hide in it when it is high and are often victims of clippers. Therefore, when you mow your lawn, make sure there are no frogs on it to avoid any unpleasant accidents.
You may find the idea of having frogs in your home unattractive. However, by doing so you will reap many benefits. For example, you will not need to use any type of chemical pesticide, since a single frog can eat more than 10,000 insects in a single season. Amazing, but true.
Remember that each living being fulfills a function within our planet earth and that there is space in it for each one of us. Therefore, if frogs come to your garden and you don’t like them, don’t kill them. You can get rid of them in more proper and kind ways.
On the contrary, if you want them to come to your house and you want to have them in your garden, follow the recommendations that we have given you and be very patient. You will see that in a couple of years you will have a healthy population of frogs in your pond. In addition, you will be free from any insect infestation. The sacrifice you made will have been worth it.