Do you want toads in the garden?
Yes! Toads make great gardening partners. They help reduce the pest population in your garden and are a valuable organic tool in your arsenal of pest control weapons. Did you know they can eat as many as 10,000 mosquitoes during the summer season? But mosquitoes aren’t all they eat. Slugs, snails, grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects are also on the menu.
More Reasons to Welcome Toads to Your Garden
Beyond their incredible pest control abilities, toads contribute to a healthier garden ecosystem. Here’s why you should roll out the welcome mat:
- Free Natural Pest Control: Toads consume many of the insects that wreak havoc on your plants, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
- Indicators of a Healthy Environment: Toads are sensitive to pollution and chemicals, so their presence often indicates that your garden is a thriving, chemical-free environment.
- Low Maintenance Helpers: Unlike some beneficial insects, toads don’t require much effort to keep around once they’ve made themselves at home. Provide food, water, and shelter, and they’ll do the rest!
And is there anything better than sitting outside on a summer evening, listening to the toads croaking in the background while the rest of the garden winds down for the night?
How Can I Attract Toads to the Garden?
If you want toads to move in and stay, you need to provide them with the essentials: food, water, and shelter.
1. Provide Shelter and Shade
Toads prefer cool, dark places during the day. You can offer them shelter by:
-
Placing overturned flower pots with a small opening.
-
Arranging rocks, logs, or pieces of wood to create hiding spots.
-
Leaving leaf litter in shaded areas for them to burrow into.
-
Planting low-growing plants to provide natural shade.
I have also found toads buried in the soil of my raised bed garden.
Years ago, I purchased a terra cotta toad hut on a trip out of town. Have I ever found a toad hiding under it? No. It’s more decorative than practical, but just in case a toad is looking for a home, I’m ready. Maybe I should put a “For Rent” sign outside the door?
2. Provide a Source of Water
Toads don’t drink water like we do; instead, they absorb moisture through their skin. Having a water source nearby is crucial, especially in hot weather.
Here’s a few ways to help them stay hydrated:
-
Place several shallow water dishes in shaded areas.
-
Add a small rock or two in the dish so bees or other small creatures can safely take a sip.
-
Refresh the water at least once a week to keep it clean.
I often see frogs and toads near my garden shed, which sits up on blocks. More than once, I have been startled while weeding in the area! They naturally gravitate toward damp, shaded spots, so making a small “toad oasis” in your yard is a great way to encourage them to stick around.
3. Garden Organically
Avoiding pesticides and chemical fertilizers is crucial. Not only do these chemicals kill off the insects that toads eat, but they can also harm the toads themselves. Stick with organic gardening practices to create a safe environment.
4. Provide shelter and shade If you would like to provide shade, it doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. I put a couple of rocks on each side of this terra cotta pot, and they can easily crawl under for shade. They will also find their way under your plants, like these impatiens, to cool off during the hot summer heat.
Amazon has so many great choices for toad houses, from simple ceramic shelters to decorative hideaways that blend right into your garden—perfect for giving your garden friends a fun place to hide.
Here’s a couple of my favorites. Just click on the picture to go to Amazon. As an amazon affiliate I may receive a small commission if you make any purchase on Amazon while on the link.
Happy Gardening
Karen