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I recently weeded a largely overgrown area of my garden and found snails and slugs in excess. Like just about anything in the garden, a couple of pests isn't the end of the world. However, when finding things in large quantity, it's time to intervene.

If you're anything like me, you look for the least invasive method to get rid of a problem. Which leads to the question: what eats bugs and slugs?

TOADS!

Neither frogs nor toads are particularly picky about their diet. They'll eat anything from flies to mice. I personally can't imagine a frog eating a mouse, but it's been known to happen. For my purposes, it'll eat all those crickets and grasshoppers that seem to be everywhere in my yard right now and most importantly, those slugs that I really don't want eating my plants!

Both frogs and toads are pretty common in my neighborhood but none of them seem to stick around my house for dinner. So I went into research mode.

How do I get more amphibians to stick around?

#1 Provide Shelter

The number one thing I read was that our bug-eating friends need a safe place to retreat. I got this toad house a couple years ago so I moved it closer to the problem area of the garden. I then added an additional overturned broken pot. It was cracked but I went ahead and made the opening a little larger, then filed the edges of the jagged parts so no harm comes to the new residents. I don't know why but I find them so cute!

In each of these shelters, I added a few leaves for snuggling. I'm all about accommodating visitors.

An important thing to note about placing shelter is location, location, location. Toads and frogs love shade and moisture. They also want dense plantings to provide additional shelter and coolness. Let your plants grow up a little higher near your "toad abode" and make sure it's placed where it's shady.

#2 Provide a Water Source

Our amphibi-friends (yes, I went there...) need water to reproduce and to soak in. Not necessarily at the same time. Frogs and toads both take in water through their skin so they need a place to sit in while they hydrate. They come back to the same water source again and again. Eventually, they may decide to lay their eggs in it.

What that means, is that it's important to keep it full of water- and clean! You want to create a constant, desirable source.

Some day I'd like a more permanent small pond for all the wildlife that comes through the garden but for now, I'm making use of what I already have.

I had a bunch of terracotta saucers but I didn't want the porosity because this can lead to algae and mold, not to mention the water drying up quicker. So instead, I went with this plastic saucer I had laying around. I tried it in a few spots before deciding where I wanted it to stay. Once I decided, I dug out some of the soil so I could nestle the saucer in to about ground level. Then I built rocks around it so toads can easily hop in and out.

I wanted a multipurpose application so I built up rocks and pebbles all the way to the top of one side. The depth of one side gives the frogs plenty of room to get in and out from their soak. The shallow side gives bees a place to land safely while they get a drink.

Because I want to involve the bees, like I always do, it's extra important to keep the water clean and fresh.

It's not perfect but it's effective...I hope. Stay tuned.

#3 Quit the Chemicals

I personally try to avoid using chemical interference for weed and pest control, but if you don't already take these steps, I would highly recommend it.

Amphibians have porous skin, which makes them susceptible to any toxins on and around the plants they encounter.

Beyond frogs and toads, the use of chemicals affects the population of pollinators and beneficial bugs. I can go on for a long time about the broad effects of chemicals, but regarding frogs alone, chemicals should be avoided.

Honorable Mention: FOOD!

For the sake of covering the bases, I felt food needed to be mentioned. In my case, I want to have more frogs and toads because I have plenty for them to snack on. However, I acknowledge that you may not have the same motivation to bringing amphibians to the garden. Maybe you just like them because they're kinda cute. I agree.

If you want to have more frogs and toads in your garden, make sure there is plenty for them to eat. I mentioned above that they aren't particular with their diets, but if there isn't enough food to sustain them, they will move on to other sources.

In short, attracting and keeping frogs and toads in the garden requires:

Shelter
Water
NO chemicals
Food

Good luck making new amphibi-friends!

We should also be friends. Follow me on social!

3 Basic Steps to Bring More Frogs & Toads to the Garden