Why?
Why would anyone want to attract amphibians such as frogs and lizards or reptiles such as snakes and turtles to their yard?
Simple. Because these critters eat tons of insects and rodents.
According to Virginia’s DNR, amphibians and reptiles are a vital part of the natural world, but urban development and landscaping have caused their habitats to be lost or degraded. By making a residential yard friendly to these creatures, we can help assure their survival.
Here’s how we can help.
First, don’t make pets out of them, especially turtles. This keeps them from producing and it may be illegal.
Next, don’t move them. Maybe help them across a road in the direction they were headed but leave them in your yard where you found them. They were there for a reason.
Keep cats inside. Cats not only kill millions of birds, but they also kill frogs, toads, salamanders, beneficial snakes and other reptiles and amphibians.
Keep pesticides at a minimum. Amphibians in particular are vulnerable to pesticides. Their skin allows not only water and oxygen to be absorbed directly into their body, but chemicals as well.
Enhance their habitat by planting native species which are hardier and require less water. Allow your landscape to use a variety of native shrubs and trees. Let leaves stay where they fall on at least` part of your property and provide logs, rocks, and brush piles of branches and twigs as shelter. What may be unsightly to humans is a sanctuary for reptiles and amphibians.
Your reward will be fewer damaging insects and disease carrying rodents.