Bullfrogs outside of their native environment in eastern North America. They compete with native frogs, eat native frogs, and spread chytridiomycosis, an infectious disease that has led to the extinction of 100 frog species. Cane toads outside of their native environment in Central and South America. While not a frog, many people reading this article will be dealing with these amphibians. They are especially rampant in Australia. Cuban tree frogs outside of their native habitat in Cuba. These are a big nuisance in Florida, where they even cause power outages. [1] X Research source Coqui frogs outside of their native environment in Puerto Rico.
If you’re not sure whether a frog is native or not, take its picture and submit it to the local Fish and Wildlife authorities for identification. Before you take matters into your own hands, you might want to talk to local Fish and Wildlife authorities to discuss the best way to get rid of them in your area.
If you dislike the presence of native frogs, there are still ways to discourage them from coming onto your property. You can keep foliage cut back, for example, so they won’t have an enticing place to live. You can also discourage them from coming into the house by keeping it well sealed and screening your windows and doors.
Remember that many types of frogs are poisonous. Don’t try to introduce a predator that would be sensitive to the frogs’ poison. Research the predators of the specific frog you’re dealing with. Cats and snakes are easiest to introduce, but you might also want to make your yard more hospitable to other predator animals, such as hawks or other birds.
Spray the frogs with citric acid. Mix 1. 3 lb (600 g) dry citric acid with 1 gallon (4 liters) of water in a large spray bottle. [2] X Research source Spray the solution directly on the frogs. It should kill them almost immediately. Spread salt. If you do not have any plants near your pond, spread a little salt around the perimeter. Salt will burn the toes of the frogs, deterring them from the area. Note that salt will destroy plants, however. Spritz the frogs with caffeine. Concentrated caffeine will kill frogs by causing them to have heart attacks, but you can spread coffee grounds around the areas where frogs gather to deter them without killing them off. It will cause the frogs discomfort, but will not likely kill them.
Try snake repellent. [3] X Research source Spraying snake repellent around the perimeter of your yard is often an effective repellent against frogs. In fact, snake repellent is usually about as effective at getting rid of frogs as it is at getting rid of snakes. Use herbicide. Studies suggest that certain weed killers chemically alter male frogs, stripping away their ability to reproduce. As a result, spraying these herbicides in areas where frogs gather can greatly reduce future frog populations.
Birdbaths, swampy areas, bowls of water, and artificial ponds are just a few examples of water sources that attract frogs. Removing sources of stagnant water will also drive away mosquitoes and other insects that frogs feed on, making the area even less appealing. If the water source in your yard is something you want to keep, like a natural pond, try adding a filter or running fountain to your pond. This will cause the water to circulate, thereby eliminating most mosquitoes and other insects. The frogs will still be attracted to the water, but with a decrease in food supply, many may still end up moving on.
Shut off garden lights and porch lights. Close the drapes and curtains in your house to reduce the amount of light filtering out from inside.
Use a bug zapper. Place the bug zapper on your porch to attract and kill all manner of flying insects. Spray organic insecticides. Many chemical insecticides will also kill the frogs, but most organic insecticides do not have that effect.
Make sure that the fencing starts at ground level and stands tall. Frogs can leap a considerable height, so a standard-size fence will work better than a purposefully low one. Take precautions to keep the fence stable. Bury the support posts 1 foot (30. 5 cm) underground, at minimum, and bury a portion of the fencing material beneath the ground, too.
Relocate the frogs. After catching the frogs, consider relocating them to a nearby pond or stream. When relocating frogs, however, it is important to introduce the frogs to an area that the breed or species can be naturally found in. Otherwise, you can upset the ecological balance of that habitat. Freeze the frogs to death. If it is impossible to relocate the frogs, you can kill them humanely by freezing them. Place the frogs in a sealable container with air holes punched through the lid. Store this container in the refrigerator overnight. The frogs will ease into a coma-like state. The following day, move the container to the freezer and store the frogs there for 48 to 72 hours. Temperatures this cold should kill them.
You can lay the captured tadpoles out on the cement or lawn, but the drier to surface, the quicker the extermination should be. Alternatively, you could also bury the captured tadpoles underground. This, too, should kill them.
