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Wondering how to attract toads to your porch or patio?

Native toads are great for the environment, eating several kinds of pesky insects. And, no, toads do not give you warts.

If you have a ground-level outdoor area, a few simple tips to attract toads:

1. Create a Wet Spot

Most of us with small outdoor spaces aren't lucky enough to have a ground-level pond. If you don't, try making a wet spot for toads by filling a saucer with water and placing it in a shady, ground-level spot.

2. Provide Shelter

A number of toad shelters are available online, but most of them offer only one rather small opening (this one may be an exception). One opening leaves little room to escape from a predator, and most native North American toads won't fit in through a small door.

Instead, consider creating your own by placing a broken clay pot on its side or by building a shelter from wood scraps, bricks, and other material. Also, plant cover in the ground or in small containers can also shelter toads.

3. Don't Use Pesticides or Herbicides

Amphibians are very sensitive to chemicals, so please avoid using herbicides or pesticides if you want to attract toads.

4. Leave the Porch Light On

At night, leave a light on outside. The light attracts insects, and toads love insects.

5. Leave Leaf Litter During Winter

Leaf litter provides a safe place for hibernating toads.