Pools
Pools should be about a minimum of 1m in diameter or equivalent
in surface area and 20cm deep or deeper. They can be bought
readymade at garden centres or a suitable depression can be
dug in the ground and lined with heavy duty black plastic.
An old bathtub sunk into the ground is a cheap alternative.
If using a bathtub or black plastic drape some cloth or hessian
down the inside to enable frogs to climb out. Dogs should
be kept away from the black plastic lined pools as they can
puncture the plastic with their claws and drain them. Provide
some rushes or sedges (found in wet areas) for frogs to hide
in while calling in the pool and close to the pool. Avoid
tall species such as reeds and bulrushes as they will fill
and choke the pool quickly. Some frog species call near water
in bushes or in hollow trees.Safety - Please take extra care
where small children may access a pool to prevent accidental
drowning. Pools should be fenced with childproof fencing,
as used around kindergartens and childcare centres, or covered
with secured weldmesh (available at steel suppliers) as used
for concrete re-enforcing.
Shelters
Frogs shelter in the wild under thick grass, grass litter,
cracks and holes in the ground, holes in trees, logs and
rocks. Logs and rocks can be set up in backyards to provide
shelter for frogs. They have the added advantage that they
can be inspected for the presence of frogs. Frogs have a
moist skin and such shelters need to be thick enough to
protect them from the heat and dry air in summer and frosts
in winter. Heavy logs and rocks that can barely manoeuvre
into position should be sufficient. Sleepers (ensure that
you purchase real sleepers, as ones made of treated pine
can be harmful to frogs) are about the minimum width and
thickness for year round shelter. They can be cut in half
for easier handling. Thinner planks are OK if the area is
watered regularly. Avoid treated timber as the chemical
used may hurt or kill frogs. Leave gaps about 1cm to 2cm
high under the shelters with one or two entrances about
5cm wide for the frogs to get in. Large entrances will allow
the space under the shelter to dry out more quickly. Place
some shelters close to the pool.
Timing/Season
Most species of frog move to water bodies in spring to breed
and away from these water bodies after the breeding season.
Some frog species breed in winter. The best time to set
up a pool and shelters is in late winter to early spring
but frogs will usually turn up most times of the year when
it rains except maybe in winter.
Fences
A paling, brick or sheet metal fence can be a barrier to
frogs but frogs can usually find their way around such obstacles.
If no frogs have turned up under your frog shelters after
a couple of rain events in spring, summer or autumn and
your yard is surrounded by such fences try to make one or
more gaps about 2cm high and 5cm wide under the fence on
each side of your yard.
Fish
Some people put fish in backyard pools to control mosquitos.
Fish such as Goldfish, trout, carp and Mosquito Fish eat
tadpoles and frog eggs. Mosquitos are a natural food item
of froglets that have just metamorphosed. Without an adequate
food supply froglets will die within a day of emerging from
the water.
Water
Some frog species need access to water outside of the breeding
season while others can hold sufficient water to last between
rain events. Use rainwater for pools if possible or leave
tap water standing in an open container such as a tub overnight
to aerate. Tap water is chlorinated and may hurt or kill
frogs if added to the pond straight from the tap. It will
also kill algae.
Food
Mosquitos, flies, other insects and invertebrates are the
natural food of most frogs while tadpoles feed on algae.
Noise
Frogs calling at night may keep your neighbours awake. Therefore
ponds should be located as far as possible away from your
neighbours' bedroom windows. Frogs usually call for only
a few weeks and people often miss them when they stop. If
the frogs calling do become an unbearable nuisance the options
to consider are:
Drain the pool;
Fill the pool in; or
Move the pool.
Covering the pool with mosquito netting is not an option
as it will prevent frogs from getting at the water when
they need it. Some frog species call near the water only
going to the water when they have found a mate.
