How to Make a Weather-Proof Toad House

Help local wildlife with a toad house.

Amphibians worldwide have been struggling to cope with habitat destruction, pollution and the spread of disease. Many species, such as the Yosemite toad in California, are endangered and a number of amphibians are suspected to already be extinct. To do your bit to help protect local toads, build a house for them to shelter in. Toads are also useful animals to encourage in a garden since they eat pests such as slugs. Use an old flowerpot to make a very simple, cheap and weatherproof toad house.

Things You'll Need

• Garden trowel
• Medium sized plastic flowerpot
• Scissors
• Small rock

Instructions

1. Find a shady, damp spot in your garden.

2. Dig a hole the same diameter as the top of the flowerpot. Dig about 4 to 6 inches deep.

3. Fill up the hole with dead leaves and twigs.

4. Cut an entrance about 3 inches wide and 4 inches deep from the rim of the pot.

5. Turn the pot upside down and push it about 2 inches into the hole.

6. Fill up the gaps around the pot with more dead leaves.

7. Put a rock on the top (formerly bottom) of the pot to keep it from blowing away.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a clay pot instead. Dampen the pot and use a hammer and chisel to knock out the entrance.

References

• Humane Society of the United States: Of Scapegoats and Squirrels, Make a Home for Garden Friends -- When's a Squirrel not a Squirrel? When He's a Toad
• Crafty Gardener: Make Toad Abodes
• Endangered Species International: Amphibians