You may have looked around your yard recently and noticed it is bustling with life. Bees are pollinating, worms are burrowing, squirrels are scampering, flowers are blooming, and birds are chirping.
You may have also noticed something hopping about: frogs. But why are frogs in your yard, and what should you do about them? What keeps frogs away from your house? We’ve got answers to all your questions.
Why Are Frogs Attracted to Your Yard?
One of the most common reasons you are seeing frogs in your yard is that there is probably a body of water in your neighborhood nearby. If you have a creek, lake, or pond in the surrounding area, frogs may be visiting you after wandering away from these areas. Another reason you may have frogs on your property is if you have a pool. Even if you have a water fountain, bird bath, or other water feature in your yard, they may also be drawn to that.
Frogs could also be enticed by any water that collects on your lawn due to improper drainage. For instance, you may get puddling after it rains if the soil is uneven and doesn’t have proper grading or there is an issue with water not being able to flow completely because of a blockage in or around your gutter. This dampness makes it ripe for frogs to thrive in your yard.
Unlike some creatures lurking in your yard, frogs may not be your enemies. They aren’t generally destructive. However, they can be a nuisance if there are many hopping or if their croaking is keeping you up at night. The good news is that frogs are great to have around if you have a garden and want some natural pest control in it. Since frogs eat plenty of bugs, this will minimize your need to use chemicals.
Besides water and moisture, frogs could be attracted to your yard if you have a garden that attracts the bugs they enjoy eating. If you have fruit flies, grasshoppers, crickets, worms, caterpillars, snails, or spiders in your yard, you may also have some hungry frogs ready to eat them.
What are the Disadvantages of Having Frogs in Your Yard?
Frogs may be toxic. If you have pets or small children, keeping frogs away from your house may be a good idea. While they may seem harmless, there are some native species of frogs, such as the pickerel frog and the American toad, that could make your pets sick if they lick, pick up, or ingest them and may cause irritation for humans as well. And any frog can potentially carry bacteria, so if your child happens to touch one and doesn’t wash their hands, they could get infected with salmonella or another pathogen. To be safe, it may be wise to eliminate frogs and the things that attract them to your yard in the first place.
Frogs attract snakes. Snakes like to prey on frogs. So, if you don’t want to have a run-in with a snake in your garden or yard, eliminating your frog problem will get rid of snakes.
Some frogs are invasive species. Non-native frogs and toads can have a detrimental effect on the ecosystem because they’ll be competing with other natural species for resources. Certain areas of the country are experiencing more issues than others, namely California with the American bullfrog and Florida with Cuban tree frogs and cane toads.
Frogs can be loud. If you’ve got a whole crew residing on your property, prepare to hear a chorus of croaking all night.
Are There DIY Ways to Get Rid of Frogs?
If you don’t want frogs, you may be wondering what keeps frogs away. Here are a few ways to keep frogs away from your house.
- Spray vinegar in the area that they frequent. The vinegar will sting their feet and drive them away.
- Eliminate water sources in your yard to force them to look for water elsewhere.
- Use a natural snake repellent that deters reptiles since snakes and frogs don’t like it.
- Trim your grass regularly to make it harder for frogs to hide.
- Minimize the use of outdoor lighting, which attracts mosquitos, flies, and crickets. Lessening the amount of insects will reduce the food resources for frogs.,
- Exterminating the insects on your property is another way to limit frog’s food sources.
- Install fine-mesh fencing to keep them from hopping into your yard (only after you’ve already gotten rid of them).
How Can You Get Professional Help for Getting Rid of Frogs?
If you are terrified of frogs, don’t want to attempt eliminating them yourself, or can’t stand the thought of doing something inhumane to them, seek out the help of a professional. One of the best ways to get rid of frogs without harming them is to call on a top rated pest control company specializing in wildlife control. Such professionals usually capture frogs and place them elsewhere instead of harming them.
There should be local wildlife specialists who know how to get frogs out of your yard and redistribute them elsewhere in the wild. They will also be able to provide you with tips on how to keep these creatures from getting back into your yard.
You can find such specialists through animal services in your city or county. A wildlife rehabilitator may also be able to help. Additionally, you can look for local pest control professionals who perform wildlife removal or specialize solely in wildlife removal. Pest control pros can also help you find out how animals are getting into your home in general.
Is killing frogs against the law?
In some states, it is against the law to kill frogs. Endangered frogs, like the California Red-Legged Frog, should not be exterminated. However, some frogs, like the American Bullfrog, are considered invasive and may not be protected by law from extermination.
To determine the rules about frogs in your state, it’s a good idea to consult local laws. Again, hiring wildlife control specialists are the best defense against a frog invasion because they will know humane ways to eliminate them from your yard.
