A fairy tale princess may seek to convert a toad into a handsome prince, but for the savvy gardener, toads have charm enough to stand on their own merits. What these unpretentious animals lack in looks, they more than make up through an unrivalled talent for pest control. And with a daily diet of a hundred or more beetles, caterpillars, slugs, moths, and other insects, toads are guaranteed a royal welcome in any backyard sanctuary.
Warts and All
Together, toads and frogs have the widest range of all amphibians—from the Arctic Circle to the southern reaches of Africa, Australia, and South America. Although some species blur the line between the frog and toad families, those of the Bufo genus are considered "true toads," with squat physiques, short legs, and bumpy rather than smooth skin.
The United States is home to more than two dozen species—and some hybrids—of the true toad family. Common species include the American and Fowler's toads of the East, the southern toad of the Southeast, Woodhouse's toad of the Midwest, the Great Plains toad of the Southwest, and species of spadefoot toads in the East and West.
A good field guide and an eye for detail can help distinguish between species. Identification is based on body size, color, and patterns, as well as the shape of the parotoid glands (behind the eyes), cranial ridges, and pupils and the number of warts and their appearance.
Roll Out the Red Carpet
If you've already made your property attractive to wildlife—by providing native plants, a water source, edge habitats, and plenty of ground cover—chances are that you've done enough to entice toads to set up housekeeping. But knowing a few basic facts about these tailless amphibians can help you add to your property's appeal from a toad's viewpoint.
No Matter How Humble
Toads are fairly self-sufficient, so setting up a special house for them isn't strictly necessary. But it can be gratifying to see your hardworking friend resting in a home you provided. Nearly every gardening catalog offers an array of toad houses with clever themes and elaborate decors that can prove irresistible. To the customer, that is. For the toad, an attractive residence can consist simply of a clay pot, a log or rock pile, dense shrubbery, or nooks and crannies around a house foundation.
For the do-it-yourself economical alternative, all you need is a medium-size clay flowerpot and a good spot to put it. Toads are most active at night. During the day they need a dark, cool place to hide from the sun and predators. But since these cold-blooded animals rely on the external environment to regulate their body temperature, they also appreciate patches of open sunlight to warm themselves.
Find a cool, shady spot with a nearby sunny area, then place the pot on its side and bury it halfway in the soil, creating a thick floor of damp dirt or mulch, moss, leaves, and twigs inside. Or chip out two 3- to 4-inch-wide openings in the pot's rim (an entrance and an emergency exit) and set the pot upside down over the moist earth. If you don't have a spare flowerpot, you can simply dig shallow holes in the soil and arrange rocks, boards, or logs on top to create an underground hideaway. And any home will be more attractive if it's located near insect-attracting light sources—promising a nightly smorgasbord for your bug-loving guest.
Toady Went a Courtin'
Though the terrestrial toads are less dependent on water sources than most frogs, they need a reliable water source for hydration and breeding. Toads breed in or near water and moist areas, and their gelatinous eggs need to remain wet or damp to hatch into the familiar tadpole.
If your property lacks a permanent water source, consider creating a small pond or basin in a partially shaded area. A good toad pond will have a variety of native grasses and water-loving plants, varying water depths, and gently sloping sides to allow easy escape for tiny toads just exiting the tadpole stage. Amphibians are notoriously susceptible to chemicals, so make sure the water is free of chlorine. And don't add goldfish, who will feed on the tadpoles.
Since toads absorb water through their skin, you may also want to place shallow saucers or birdbaths at ground level in convenient spots around your property and fill them with a few inches of water. Toads will use these to stay well-hydrated during dry spells, when puddles are scarce.
Wait and Watch
Toads are the ideal gardener's partner on insect control: hardworking fellows with a humble job that they do well. But don't be so anxious for the arrival of resident toads that you attempt to import them from other areas or by mail order. Wait for them to find the oasis you've created. It won't be long, and you'll soon discover that their appeal rivals that of any prince charming.
—Julie Falconer
Resources
Beastly Abodes: Homes for Birds, Bats, Butterflies, & Other Backyard Wildlife by Bobbe Needham. New York, N.Y.: Sterling Publishing, 1995.
A Blessing of Toads: A Gardener's Guide to Living with Nature by Sharon Lovejoy. New York, N.Y.: Hearst Books, 2004.
Frogs by David Bader. Stillwater, Minn.: Voyageur Press, 1995.
Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians by Roger Conant, Robert C. Stebbins, and Joseph C. Collins. Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 1999.
The Wildlife Gardener by John V. Dennis. New York, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, 1985.
The Wildlife Sanctuary Garden by Carol Buchanan. Berkeley, Calif.: Ten Speed Press, 1999.
