Tutorial! How to Make Your Own “Toad-Abode”!

Toads (from the genus Bufo and Anaxyrus) are some of the most common and familiar, as well as widespread groups of herptiles commonly found in the gardens and backyards of even urban and suburban areas throughout the United States and Canada. In most areas within this range, there are at least one or more species of toads which can be found, where they may be found in nearly any terrestrial habitat as long as there is a suitable source of permanent to semi-permanent pond, wetland, or other body of water nearby for them to breed and reproduce within.

For many who might live even in these urban and suburban areas, chances are there may already be toads which have called your garden or backyard home, where they may be found in burrows, underneath rocks or logs, leaf litter or mulch, or other piles of natural or artificial debris. But what could be another fun way of attracting these adaptable amphibians to your yard or garden? Build a toad abode! There can be many different materials and different ways one can make their toad abode, all of which can be relatively simple to make, and they can be as simplistic or as creative as one would like!

Why a toad house? Most toads are nocturnal or crepuscular, so building a fun and quirky toad house in your yard or garden not only provides ornamental decoration, but also an added opportunity for any toads which may be residing around to find shelter and burrow down underneath or within them! Toads can also be great sources for free, natural insect and other garden pest control, so all the more reason why it could be a good idea to attract them! Let’s look at how to make your own “toad abode”!

Materials Needed:

(1) Small, Opaque Container at least 6” in diameter. There are a number of different things which can work, including a plastic or ceramic terra-cotta pot, coffee can, or plastic container. Don’t worry too much if the container is cracked or broken; most of any container can work!

(1) Dremel cutting tool or drill for cutting out an opening large enough for the toad to enter and exit from (if making a vertical toad house).

(1) Optional tube of silicone or glue that is wildlife and environmentally safe to use. This would be for gluing any decorations one might wish to add to their toad abode!

(1) Garden trowel for smoothening and evening out the area where your toad abode will go.

(1) Pair of scissors for cutting decorations to size if needed.

(Optional) Decorative elements you can use to decorate your toad abode! These can be most of anything as long as they are environmentally safe and chemical/pesticide free to use-including leaves, twigs or sticks, bark, pebbles/stones, moss, acorns or nuts, or anything else!

(Optional) Paint and paint brushes for painting your toad house! Make sure any paints used are also safe and environmentally friendly to use.

Steps to Making your Toad Abode!

1. The first step depends on whether one wants to make a vertical, or “upright” toad abode, or a horizontal one, both of which are easy to make. For an upright, or vertical house, use your Dremel or drilling tool to cut out a hole along the bottom at least 3-4” in diameter for the toad to enter and exit from. If making a more horizontal house, you can also use a chisel and hammer to break off a portion of the container to make it a “cave”.

2. Then using a suitable sanding head on your Dremel or drilling tool, smoothen out around the opening to your horizontal or vertical toad house so that there are no sharp edges.

3. Then paint and/or decorate your toad abode however you may like! Have fun!

Where to Place Your Toad Abode! And Other Tips!

-In general, the best areas for placing your masterpiece toad abode would be in any shaded, well-vegetated areas around your garden or yard that have plenty of access to cover. Avoid placing your toad house in more open or exposed areas without other cover for them, or in other areas which might overheat or become too hot.

-Near any sources of water, whether natural or artificial also tend to be suitable places to put your toad house! These can be near any natural or manmade ponds, rainspouts or gutters, birdbaths, or nearly anything else where there is water or moisture. It may be a good idea, however, to avoid placing your toad abode in more lowland or low areas which may be prone to flooding.

-If the your area’s climate tends to be more hot and dry, you can also place a shallow dish of water nearby which may further help to entice toads to move in.

-Make sure the soil or substrate where you place your toad abode is somewhat moist and soft, and allows them to burrow down into. Placing your toad abode on areas of harder concrete or rocky landscaping will probably be less enticing for attracting toads than a softer, more naturalistic soil or substrate. Toads can also seek shelter in cracks or crevices they can find and fit down into, but these areas are generally less suitable for placing your toad house in.

-You can also partially bury the bottom edges of your toad abode in order to make sure it is sturdy and in place, and will not accidently get knocked over or moved around. Make sure the area you are placing your toad house is also free of any chemicals, pesticides, or other herbicides which may deter toads or other reptiles and amphibians from living in that area.

-Once your new toad abode is set up and ready for occupancy, leave it be and be patient! It may take a toad a little bit of time to find and start using it, but once one does, they may start utilizing it regularly, and you may have a new toad regular resident! Don’t relocate any toads you may find from elsewhere to try to move them to your toad abode. Instead, let them find it naturally.

-You can also create a fun entry sign with markers, popsicle sticks, a mini chalkboard, or other materials to give your toad abode an official name and address!

-Using more weatherproof glues, adhesives, and decorations to make your toad abode can help it withstand the test of time and prevent, or at least reduce the likelihood of your materials washing off due to rain or other exposure to the weather outside over time.

-Over time, along with an increased presence and population of toads, you may also secondarily attract other wildlife as well, some of which may eat toads as well, such as some birds, snakes, and mammals. It is best not to interfere in these natural processes-they are all part of the natural environment and ecosystem.