Just my 2 cents, other views may differ. You can place flat stepping stones, propped up an inch or so, in the garden. Toads like damp areas they can squeeze into. I wouldn't put any water source anywhere as they tend to drown if trapped. I would never buy any animal and then let it go. That's the worst thing one can do for the environment. Most exotic animals sold in pet shops are wild caught, non native species and can severely upset the balance of our native ecosystems, see Cane Toad, Cuban Anole, Cuban Treefrog, Burmese Python, Love bugs, Tokay Gecko, Mexican Redrump tarantula. These were either accidently or intentionally introduced into Florida with devastating affect on the surrounding native populations. Toads tend to come out at night, after a rain, so if you want something to watch during the day, check out what species of lizards, skinks, frogs, etc., live in your area and then promote their natural habitat. Or you may want to just plant a butterfly flower garden, or go with a bird sanctuary.

Offering them a Happy Hour helps. But seriously, are there bodies of water near you? Our neighborhood has a few lakes, and I think that's the only reason we have so many toads. I don't know that a water feature would be enough, and they may hit the road in search of a larger body of water. But I'm not a toad expert.

Tim
www.WildlifeTheater.com

{{!gwi}}

Andrea san diego,
Check out the Aug/Sept issue of National Wildlife magazine. There's a 2 page article on attracting toads to your yard.
Tim,
Perfect shot of the toad enjoying happy hour. Thanks.

Evan

here are a couple good sites. the one on the bottom is my favorite.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dep/greenman/toads.pdf#search='toad%20hibernaculum'

Here is a link that might be useful: scroll down for toadhole and hibernaculum

We have lived in Vero Beach Florida for three months and are eaten alive everyday by something called a midget or "no see um", as they call them around here. We've tried everything and have decided the only solution is to screen in our entire back yard! I am trying to establish an eco-system in the back yard hoping to allow nature to rid itself of a few of these little scoundrels. They don't seem they have any major enemies. Hummers feed on hundreds of them in a day, but no hummers have been sighted as of now, even though we've planted flowers for them. I'm wondering if toads or frogs would help. Strangely, we have not seen a single toad or frog. Does anyone have any information that would help us? We grew up in Central Fla. and lived 10yrs. in the Carolinas and have never experienced either these "no see ums" or the lack of frogs/toads. Thanks

As a former don't go out after dark FL resident, I'd say bug repellent for outdoor festivities. Frogs wouldn't do much to cut down the no see em population.