In the Book of Exodus, God set forth ten plagues to the land of Egypt to convince Pharaoh to let His people go. When Moses’ brother Aaron reached his staff to the waters of the Nile, millions of frogs leaped out of the water and overran the city. While this probably wouldn’t happen in the creek or river near your home, frog infestations are no laughing matter. Many people keep frogs as pets, but when the critters run out of control, you may have a big problem in your hands.

Frogs are relatively harmless creatures, and are helpful and beneficial to the environment. They feed on small insects found in ponds, rivers, creeks, and streams. A small group of frogs can keep down the number of mosquitoes and flies that breed and populate in bodies of water. Frogs are very important in the ecosystem because they help control insect populations, especially those that spread disease and illnesses. The problem is that frogs can be very noisy, and multiply so fast that their own population runs out of control. If you have a problem with having too many frogs in your home, here are some ways to control the population.

Do No Harm

Anything that involves the removal of animals should be done in a safe, humane way. The complaints of animal rights advocates are the least that you have to worry about. Killing frogs in an indiscriminate way will result in long-term damage to your home, or even ecological disaster for your community.

The key to getting rid of frogs is to keep them under control. The occasional frog, or a small group of frogs, does a lot to prevent other pests from spreading disease. When more frogs become attracted to the body of water found in your property, chances are they will multiply faster especially if the place is a perfect habitat. If frogs start encroaching your living space, or make too much noise at night, you should take the humane steps to remove them or discourage them from breeding.

Kill the Insects, Not the Frogs

Frogs feed on various kinds of insects like mosquitoes and flies. (For fly control guide, learn how to get rid of flies) If you have a frog population problem, then chances are you have an insect population problem. Environments with many insects and healthy bodies of water are a perfect place for frogs to live, breed, and spawn. One way to get rid of the frogs is to get rid of their food sources. Here are some ways that you can remove the insects from your property:

• Use organic insecticides. While artificial chemical insecticides are efficient at killing and controlling insects, they can also kill frogs. Chemical insecticides and pesticides can also cause long-term ecological damage to your environment. Use natural or organic pesticides instead to keep insect populations under control.
• Keep water running. Insects like flies and mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. If you have an artificial pond in your background, it helps to add a filter to make the water circulate. Remove obstructions from creeks and streams that prevent the water from flowing freely.
• Get rid of insect nests and breeding grounds. If you see nests or other places where insects breed and multiply, get rid of them as soon as possible. Once you eliminate the insects, then you have a good chance that you have gotten rid of the frogs.

Build a Net Fence

One way to prevent frogs from encroaching in your property is to build a net fence. When built properly, a fence is a very effective way to control frog populations. You can build the fence yourself, or you can hire someone to build the fence for you. Here are some ways to make the best use of a frog-control fence:

• Do not use chicken wire. Chicken wire or conventional chain-link fencing material is not an effective way to keep frogs away from your property. Use mesh netting or plastic fencing material that’s resistant to ultraviolet rays.
• Make sure the fence is high enough. Frogs are known to be able to leap long distances at a great height. A low fence will defeat its own purpose of keeping away frogs from your property. Fences have to be built high enough to prevent frogs from leaping over them. If you’re worried about how the fence looks, then you can use it as a trellis for vines and other decorative plants. (Tips on how to build a trellis)
• Keep the fence stable. Strong winds, rain, and the attempts of frogs to jump over your fence can make it unstable and allow it to tip over. Bury the support posts of the fence at least a foot underground, and bury part of the fencing material underground to prevent frogs from crawling underneath the fence. If you’re building a fence around a fishpond, you can also build a fence on top of the pond.

Spray With Hot Water

Frogs don’t like hot water. If you have a hot water generator and a sprayer, or if you can borrow the equipment, you can use them to get rid of the frogs. Spray the affected area with hot water for three minutes or longer, depending on the size of the property. The hot water acts as a danger signal for the frogs, and they will move away from your property. You’ll end up killing a few frogs in the process, but it’s better than having to put up with a frog infestation problem.

Try Citric Acid or Caffeine Formulations

While there is no product available on the market that’s made especially for getting rid of frogs, pest control products that contain citric acid or caffeine work well to eliminate frogs. You can combine the formulations with the hot water spray, or spray them directly in frog breeding grounds with a hand-sprayer.

Another natural way to get rid of frogs using citric acid or caffeine is to compost citrus peels and coffee grounds in places where frogs breed. The odor of citrus and coffee grounds will turn off the frogs, and prevent them from coming back to breed and spawn in your property.

Hire an Exterminator

Sometimes frog problems can go out of control, even if you used the pest control remedies available to you. If too many frogs still breed in your property, you need to hire the services of a professional pest exterminator. They are equipped with the proper tools and knowledge to get rid of any sort of pest, whether it’s insects or frogs. You’ll need to shell out some extra money for a professional extermination service, but it’s all worth it if you have a serious frog infestation. You may also need to contact your local wildlife agency for help.

A frog infestation does not have to result in a plague of epic, Biblical proportions. With these tips to get rid of frogs, you can get rid of the critters in no time. You’ll need not worry about other plagues like columns of fire, perpetual darkness, and the creek near your home turning into blood. If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy how to repel mosquitos

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