Many gardeners may not know this, but toads can be very beneficial to your garden. The majority of your common insect pests are part of the toad’s normal diet. In an average day, your common toad can eat 75-100 insects, including all the insect pests covered in our last series of “Pesky Pests” blogs: aphids, slugs, tomato hornworms, and cutworms. Every little bit helps, so any natural means of pest control is welcome, right? Right!
Now, not every garden has a resident toad. It may take a little more than wishful thinking to attract this beneficial buddy. Here are some suggestions:
Make a happy home for your toad! Toad houses are pretty much a must when it comes to welcoming toads into your garden. A toad house in any kind of shelter where a toad can hide or rest. Many people will use broken terracotta pots to make little homes for their toad(s). If you build one yourself, like the one pictured to the right, just make sure it’s secure and that you build it so that the opening is wide enough for easy access for the toad.
- You can also purchase toad houses. They come in many shapes and sizes, they are typically made from terracotta, ceramic, or wood, and they can vary from inexpensive, to somewhat pricey, one-of-a-kind versions.
- Another helpful hint in luring toads to your garden is to create a small rock pond for them. Not only will a rock pond supply toads with a fresh drink of water and a place for a cooling dip if they get too hot, but a rock pond is also a lovel;y visual addition to your garden. A suggestion for a small but adequate sized garden pond for your toad is to use the “bowl” portion of an inexpensive birdbath. Dig a depression in your soil to place the bowl in, fill it about halfway with stones and rocks, and fill the rest of the way with water. Position the pond so that it’s in the shade most of the day and close to the toad house. What toad wouldn’t like an in-ground pool next to their house!?
- In addition to a happy home, you want to provide a happy neighborhood. This means making sure that if you do use pesticides/insecticides, you use all natural, all organic methods. The same goes for fertilizer. Be sure to use all natural fertilizers. Remember that toads will control much of your garden insect population. So if you make your garden appealing enough to toads, there won’t be much necessity for pesticides/insecticides.
By following these tips, I bet you’ll find a toad or two in your garden soon enough. It is acceptable to “transplant” a toad into your garden if you happen upon one in your yard. You never want to introduce any animal into an environment they are no indigenous to, but if you find a toad in your yard, feel free to give the toad a “lift” and drop him or her off at their new front door!
If you provide a safe environment for a trustworthy toad, you will find that the trust is returned. They will make your garden their home for years to come, maybe even having cute baby toads! Take care and happy gardening!
