For some, frogs are the source of pure nightmares or disgust. Harden souls are fascinated by the sight of one. For you, the feeling is probably not mutual. If frogs have invaded your property, you may be looking for a way to kick them out.
At the end of the day, there’s no denying how beneficial some can be for the ecosystem.
These semi-fossorial amphibians are one of nature’s greatest pest control systems. They can be an ally for your home since they are experts at keeping those creepy crawlers away. Seeing certain types of frogs can be a good sign (although not always). It’s a sign that mother nature likes how you take care of your yard.
Some have even been touted for medical advances thanks to the creamy, gooey, and natural substances found on their skin. But these arboreal, multi-colored speckled and warty little beasts are not always fun to have in your yard. Especially, if there’s an army of them.
Although frogs play a critical role in nature and even in children’s folktales, they can be a nuisance and major inconvenience. If the army of croaking frogs is keeping you up at night or these uninvited guests are roaming around your garden, yard, and pool, here are a few ways on how to keep frogs away from your property.
The 411 About Frogs
In the Art of War, the third rule you learn is “know your enemy.” Before you can tackle a frog problem or invasion, it’s good to know a little about them.
Frog Factsheet
As of today, scientists are still discovering new species of frogs all around the world. There are a plethora of distinct frogs that come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Many have made a home near ponds, placid lakes, sylvan settings, edges of riverbanks, forests, swamps, and sometimes your backyard.
Tropical climates and forests are prime hotspots for diverse species of frogs. Where they live can dramatically affect how long they live. The lifespan for frogs averages around 10 to 20 years. Some frog species can live beyond 30 years.
Though, this can vary based on how much pollution, chemicals, and even hungry predators live around them. Their permeable skin allows frogs to breathe in and outside of water.
Knowing this is key to making your property undesirable to frogs. We’ll dive into why and how to do this later.
What Do They Look Like?
Frogs are amphibians and live on both land and water. Frogskin is smooth as silk. It secretes a blend of ooze to protect themselves and for breathing.
Frogs are the perfect Crayola box. The various species come in several colors. Speckled, spot, bright, dark, and blotchy color patterns can be found in a host of frogs.
With great eyesight, webbed feet, and a kaleidoscope of skin colors, they’ve used this as an advantage to confuse and camouflage themselves from ravenous predators.
Their protruding eyes help them see all around them. Their stocky stature and wildly shaped legs allow them to hop in every direction and with great distance. Certain frogs can jump as far as forty meters – many times more the length of a highly trained Olympian jumper.
What’s the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?
No one should fret if they get this wrong. As spring and summer roll along, anyone can mistake them for a toad or frog.
Here’s a rule of thumb, not all frogs are toads, but all toads are frogs. Some academic institutions argue that there are no real scientific differences between them. However, they do share a family tree and have characteristic differences that can make it easier to identify.
When you see a sleek, moist, and smooth skin amphibian, you’re looking at a frog. Toads on the other hand have bumps and harder skin surfaces. Toads also tend to prefer land more than water while frogs can thrive in various aquatic environments.
Another telling sign that you’re looking at a frog is by checking out their legs. Toads tend to have shorter legs. Frogs have long legs. Looney Tunes perfectly represented frogs everywhere with their depiction of Michigan J. Frog in his “Hello My Baby” appearances.
Are Frogs Dangerous?
Although there are more than 5,000 species of frogs that exist in the world, most of them are harmless. Some pose minor threats. If you encounter or touch one, the worst-case scenario might be mild skin irritation. However, some species are very dangerous
Frogs that shouldn’t cause too much worry, but should still be avoided, are Pickerel Frogs. The native Lithobates palustris, or informally known as Pickerel Frog, is the only poisonous frog found in the United States. Even then, the toxins found in these frogs are not poisonous enough to kill people. Instead pose a threat to other animals.
On the other hand, brightly colored frogs are usually poisonous. The Phyllobates terribilis, which are bright yellow frogs, contain enough toxin to kill as many as ten people. Thankfully, these frogs are not found in North America.
Long story short, most frogs are not dangerous, but some people can be allergic to them. To be safe, avoid touching bright-colored and patterned amphibians while also making sure to keep them away from your pets.
How To Keep Frogs Away From Your Yard
Now for the meat and bones. Yes, frogs are great, but we don’t need them on our property. Getting rid of them is no easy task. By creating an uninhabitable environment, you’ll drive them away quickly.
Let’s tackle the issue by identifying:
- What you can do to get rid of them
- Learn what attracts them
- How you can make your property the last place they want to visit. Whether it’s one frog or an infestation, here are some proven ways to remove frogs from your property.
Preventing and Removing Frogs In Your House
You’ve opened your cabinets. You’ve spotted your little green friend. It croaks at you with a smug face. You let out a scream or squirm at your feet. Unfortunately, you have a frog problem.
It’s not common to find one in your home. Seeing one means you likely have a water problem. Frogs love bugs. They need water to live. Seeing one in your home means they’re nesting underneath it. Usually thanks to a drain issue, bug problem, or water leakage.
Check under your home for moisture, damp areas, bug infestation, and potential damages. Your best course of action is a bug bomb, a professional exterminator, a plumber, or a combination of all three.
Prevent or Remove Frogs From Your Pool
It goes without saying. Keep your pool covered or drained when you’re not using it. Over time, pools collect debris and rainwater that make them ideal for frogs. Chlorine is enough to have frogs hop right out of your pool.
If you can’t cover it, a circulation pump can dissuade them from jumping in. If the chlorine didn’t get rid of the frog, you’ll need to use nets to remove them yourself or hire a professional to do it.
Cut Off The Food Supply
Frogs are motivated by bugs. Mosquitoes, ants, flies, and other creepy crawlers leave frogs drooling at the mouth. Literally.
Exterminating bugs in and outside of your property is a surefire way to keep frogs away. Use mosquito traps, bug spray, and insecticide on your grass to prevent insects from roaming around your property.
Get Rid of Frogs on Your Yard
Just like getting rid of frogs inside of your home, knowing what is causing frogs to show up to your yard is key to preventing them from coming at all. When you make your yard uninhabitable, you won’t see any frogs. Some ways to make it frog-free:
Draining Dormant Water
Any pool of water is heaven for frogs. It’s a prime spot for bugs which only makes it more enticing. Make sure to fix any irrigation problems or drainage issues. Remove any sources of open water and make sure to cover your pools. This is one of the most straightforward ideas in how to keep frogs away as frogs as they require some form of a local water source.
Mow Your Tall Grass
For frogs, tall grass is like being wrapped up in cozy blankets under a cool brisk air conditioner. All while having food delivered straight to bed. Not only does it act like shelter, but tall grass also makes it easier for frogs to capture their next meal. Keep it even and low to keep frogs away.
Tried and True Frog Repellent
Snake repellent is like sewage for frogs. The chemical will not only keep snakes away but will also drive frogs far away from your property.
Natural Frog Repellent
A popular and humane way to deal with frogs is using vinegar. It acts as a natural prevention and removal weapon. As we referenced, frogs absorb pollutants through their skin. The acid inside of the vinegar is enough to repel frogs from the area.
More Natural Frog Repellent Ideas
Salt and other citric acids can also aid in keeping frogs away. They do their job but can harm your lawn and plants. Coffee grounds are a good alternative. They provide natural benefits for your plants and simultaneously create an acidic environment for frogs. Be careful not to use it in the long run. Acidic soil can harm plants and lawns over time.
Ultrasonic Frog Repellent
No evidence suggests ultrasonic devices work on frogs. There’s even a big controversy about whether ultrasonic sound devices work on insects. It’s best to follow more formidable repellant practices.
Conclusion
Following the advice will likely make your home the last place a frog should ever visit. However, not everything is always so black and white. If you’ve reached a point of being overwhelmed, a professional exterminator is your best bet. Be sure to check back with us soon for more articles on the topic of “how to keep frogs away”.