Pests are annoying, unpleasant, and frustrating. They infest your property, destroy the garden, are the primary source of illness, and at times could even cause death in pets and humans. They cause nuisance, and if you spot pests at home, then it is important to get them eliminated.
Getting rid of pests is important, and you may want to do it yourself or call an exterminator to remove it. In this article, we discuss the DIY methods to get rid of frogs. We also dig into the natural methods to discourage frog infestations here.
Understanding frogs
To get rid of frogs from your garden, you first need to understand them. Frogs are amphibians who begin their life cycle underwater. Frogs need moisture to live and reproduce. They lay eggs in the water, develop into tadpoles and adapt to live both on land and in water. Frogs love to live in swampy areas, and thus, your garden or your pond is highly prone to frog infestations.
Frogs are not all evil. Some farm frogs for their meat. These exist in varied colors depending on their species. Frogs are also of importance, and their infestation causes enormous economic loss. But still, you do not want them in your garden because they are dirty and infectious!
Getting Rid of Frogs From Your Garden
It is not easy to get rid of frogs from the garden. Their population multiplies in the rainy season or where there is a constant water supply in your garden.
If you have been struggling to get rid of these pests from your garden, then here are the steps to follow.
Identify The Species
There are laws that protect some frog species, and if you end up killing them, this could get you in trouble. Native laws protect some frog species. You thus need to educate yourself about these species and know of ways to get rid of them.
Not all frog species are protected. There are many invasive ones, too, and it is legal to kill them. Confirm the species and consult your state laws to exterminate the frogs legally.
Create an Unsuitable Environment For The Frogs to Breed
Frogs look to stay in places where there is water and moisture. The key is to eliminate their survival source. If there is a drained or a dug pool, then these are the breeding site for frogs. When not in use, cover the pool, and when you need to use it, then ensure that the pool is moving. Frogs do not hatch eggs when the pool is mobile.
Trimming weeds in the nearby plantings and not leaving stagnant water for animals and birds make the area less attractive to frogs, and they eventually go away.
Eliminate Their Source of Food
Frogs live on mosquitoes, flies, and roaches, and if you wish to get rid of frogs, then you need to work on ways to eliminate their source of food. Spraying insecticide in the garden to control insects keeps frogs at bay.
If your garden is offering something to sustain the frogs, then you need to get rid of it first. Turn off the outside lights that attract insects, use mild insecticides to get rid of bugs, and do not leave pet food outside because frogs tend to feed on it as well.
End Their Life Cycle at a Very Early Stage
Frogs start their life cycle from an egg and then develop into a tadpole before turning into an adult frog. If there is a pool or a water source in your garden infested with frogs, just scoop the clustered eggs and leave them out to dry. The eggs will not hatch when it is kept to dry, and the tadpole will die without water.
Put a Barrier
If you live close to a large body or a lake, then frog infestation will be common in your garden. Using mesh fences and barbwires helps to create a barrier for the frogs. Also, if there is a pond in your garden, then you can put a barrier around it so that the frogs do not leap from the pool to your garden.
Using Physical Force
Physically removing frogs from the garden is also a method applied by some.
Your garden is frog proof as you have removed its food source and habitat and have installed fencing. You thus want to capture and get rid of any remaining frogs that are still staying in your garden.
Use a net with a long handle and with small holed mesh to scoop the frogs from the pond and place it in a tall container.
Frogs are active at night. Stun them by flashing light on their eyes which will make it easy to catch them.
You can then release them all in a pond or river far away from your home.
Home Remedies to Remove The Frog From Your Garden
Here are some home remedies that you can try out to remove frogs from your garden.
- Vinegar
Vinegar causes a burning sensation on the frogs’ feet. Since vinegar is not life-threatening, it is also a humane way to get rid of frog infestation. All you need to do is mix vinegar and an equal amount of water and spray it in the areas infested with frogs. Make sure that you do no spray vinegar on plants.
- Citric acid
Concentrated citric acid is used to kill frogs. You need 16 % of the acid for this. Dispense the mixture into a spray bottle and then apply it in areas infested with frogs. This process does not let frogs visit or inhabit the area.
- Salt
Salt burns the frogs’ skin which is also the reason you will never find frogs close to saltwater bodies. Spreading some salt in areas where there are frogs help. However, be careful not to let your plants come in contact with salt because they will die of dehydration. All you need to do is mix salt with water and spray it in the infested areas.
- Coffee grounds
Coffee applied on the ground where frogs inhabit tends to kill them. The used coffee is a nitrate for the environment, which is also helpful for the plants. The coffee ground residue causes discomfort, and when the frog comes in contact with coffee, it does not let the pest inhabit the area.
- Insect repellent
Frogs eat insects which are their food source. Insect repellents keep the insects away, which discourages the frogs from surviving in the area as they have nothing to feed on. Purchase an insect repellent and apply it in the garden with a spray bottle.
- Snake repellent
Snakes feed on frogs. The snake repellents contain ingredients that are active in mothballs. Mothballs keep frogs away. The repellents keep snakes and frogs away. An industrial level snake repellent should be applied around the garden.
- Freeze them
Frogs go into hibernation mode when they are cold. You can thus freeze them not to let them feel the pain if you decide to kill them.
- Gig them
Asper or a frog gig catches and kills frogs. Gigs are claws with multi-prongs that are attached to extended handles. You do not need to get close to the frogs. Head into the garden at night, shine a flashlight on their eyes, and gig them.
- Chemicals
Some products contain benzocaine that numbs the frogs’ brains and stops their heart. Dab a little of this chemical on their head and kill the frog.
- Hire a professional exterminator
Even after trying out all the methods, if you still did not manage to get rid of the frog from your garden, then it is best to hire a professional. An exterminator is a professional who uses harmful chemicals to kill frogs and prevents them from infesting the garden in the future.
Why Frogs are Not all That Harmful to Have in Your Garden
While frogs are not that appreciated in your garden, here are some exciting reasons why you may want to have some in your yard.
- Frogs reduce the population of insects. They naturally control insects.
- Frogs do not destroy plants as insects do. Instead, they play a crucial part in the growth of the plant. Frogs are thus plant-friendly.
Safety Precautions
- Some people react when they come in contact with frogs. If you are allergic to frogs, then wear shoes, gloves, and socks while working on relocating the frogs from your garden.
- Frogs breed where there are ticks, mosquitoes, and flies. Cover your arms and legs and wear bug repellents before you venture out into your garden to treat frogs.
- Frogs breed where there are ticks, mosquitoes, and flies. Cover your arms and legs and wear bug repellents before you venture out into your garden to treat frogs.
- Wear appropriate gear when you use any insecticides or pesticides.
Conclusion
Frogs are invasive and should not be allowed to breed in your home garden. The article delves into various ways of getting rid of frogs. While we have listed several ways to eliminate frog infestations, it is always recommended that you try to get rid of them as gently as possible.
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