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Where I grew up, I used to have quite a lot of frogs and toads visiting my garden (and often my home). They were not poisonous frogs and never bothered me. I actually quite liked them and they were not a problem for me. But some people find frogs problematic if there are too many of them. They become too noisy, or some people just don’t like them. So in this article I am going to explain how to get rid of frogs and how to use frog repellents to keep frogs away.
A Word About Poisonous Frogs
Some frogs or toads can also be poisonous and their venom is highly toxic to pets. Dogs and cats are probably most likely to come into contact with a poisonous frogs, and that venom can cause serious problems.
So how can you get rid of frogs naturally without using chemicals that can harm your kids, pets or the environment?
Well, controlling the variables of frog habitat is crucial in getting rid of frogs, and there are other extra measurements like natural frog repellents that you can take to deter frogs from your property.
How to Get Rid of Frogs by Controlling Their Habitat
Did you know that the easiest way to keep frogs away from your garden is to take their food and shelter? Here are a number of ideas that will make your garden less attractive to frogs.
Drain standing water in your garden
Frogs are amphibian creatures, which means that they live on both dry land and in water. So if your garden has a water source that is stagnant, such as a pond or water for birds or other animals, you will need to remove these water sources from your garden. This will encourage most frogs to find another place to lay their eggs and seek shelter at night.
Removing stagnant water sources will also repel mosquitoes and other insects that are used as food sources for frogs, making your garden even less attractive.
If you have water features in your garden that you still want to keep, such as a pond, add a fountain to circulate the water so it will attract less mosquitoes and other insects and decrease food supply for the frogs. Or you can surround the pond with mesh netting which starts at ground level and is tall enough to prevent the frogs from leaping over it.
Mow the lawn and remove weeds and debris from your garden
Frogs like to hide in areas where there are tall grass, piles of leaves, shrubs, clutter, pet food or any other environment that can create a damp hiding place for them.
Removing all these will move the frogs away as they will feel more exposed, which is something they try to avoid. De-cluttering your garden will also reduce insects, keep the area dry so the frogs are more likely to find another place. Keeping the lawn short is also one of the best natural ways to repel snakes.
Keep your garden dark at night
Since outside lighting attracts insects, which are the primary food source of frogs, it is recommended to turn off outdoor lights, deck or porch light, as well as closing curtains in your home at night to reduce insect population which will in turn move away the frogs.
Natural Frog Repellents
What’s good about these frog repellents is that they are all natural, so they will not harm your family or pets. For best results, use the following natural frog repellents but remember to also create less attractive habitat for frogs as well.
Spreading salt
Spreading salt near the entrances of your home or around your pond deters frogs, as the salt creates an unpleasant feeling in their feet and skin. If you use this method, take care not to spread the salt near plants, as it will destroy them.
Using salt will make the soil unsuitable for future plant growth so this method is more suitable for areas where you don’t want to grow anything for the long term, for example in pavement areas or where you have weeds (salt is one of the top 10 natural weed killers for your garden).
Spreading coffee grounds
Similarly to salt, spreading coffee grounds will cause the frogs discomfort and will deter them from areas where they gather. You can also use the coffee grounds to get rid of ants.
Unlike salt, coffee is often used as a plant fertilizer as it contains nitrogen which is an important component for growing plants. However if you sprinkle coffee near plants, keep in mind that coffee is also acidic, and sprinkling too much of it can destroy plants that don’t like acidic soil.
Use vinegar or lemon juice
Vinegar has a lot of household uses and you can also use it to deter frogs.
Here is a recipe for a vinegar spray that can help you to deter frogs: simply mix equal amounts of vinegar (or lemon juice) and water and spray around areas where frogs tend to gather. The vinegar mixture will cause a burning sensation on the frogs’ feet, and will discourage them from returning to that area.
Don’t spray it onto plants as this acidic spray will most likely kill them.
How To Protect Your Pet From Poisonous Toads
The two most common toads found in the U.S. that are dangerous to pets are Colorado River Toad (also known as the Sonoran Desert Toad) and the Giant Toad (also known as the Marine Toad or Cane Toad).
Common signs that your pet has come in contact with a poisonous toad are foaming at the mouth, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, walking unsteadily, weakness or collapse, irritation to the eyes and nose and difficulty in breathing.
If you see your pet playing with a toad, or even if you suspect that it has been in contact with a toad venom, you should immediately flush your pet’s mouth with running water in an outward direction to prevent your pet from swallowing the venom and then contact your vet immediately.
Read my other related articles:
1. 10 Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes
2. How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally
3. How to Get Rid of Spiders Naturally
4. How to Get Rid of Wasps Naturally
5. How to get rid of flies naturally
6. How to get rid of co*ckroaches
7. How to naturally get rid of fleas
8. Palmetto Bug: What it is and How to Get Rid of It Quickly
9. How to Keep Snakes Away: Effective Snake Repellents
