Rehoming Frogs

[dtonks1]

Just moved in to discover a ten by 9 foot pond full of at least 50 frogs.We wanted to keep the pond but a child proof cover costs over £750 which we cannot afford. We care about the frogs welfare and are unsure how to go about draining it and rehoming them.The local council could not help with advice.Any tips please?

[Rich]

You don't need a cover.

Having a pond in your garden is an excellent child safety device. You can bring your children up in the knowledge that ponds can be dangerous, this is an excellent opportunity for you to teach them.

Consider your children going to someone's house with no practical knowledge of the dangers a pond can present. I don't have any figures but I would bet that more children are injured in other peoples' ponds than those in their own gardens.

[nightshade]

I do agree educating your children is the best way it will make them
better people if they understand the danger and the wildlife from the
start
A large pond I know of has "protective screening" and the adults leave
the children unsupervised.What do they do they walk out onto the screen
and inevitably it stretches children fall over and get sprains and wet pants
much better to explain the danger and supervise them,children are not stupid
So you are still worried ,make your own frame or look for alternatives,
a local scaffolder,double glazing frames,or simply put a sturdy fence around it
(chest high to the children so they can see over) and do a first aid course

[Stewy]

I've got a little fence around ours.

[JT71]

I've got a cat, she's a lot less work than children...someone might do a swap with you.

[Kayleigh]

We made a cover for our pond with a wood frame and green plastic covered wire. The wire is sold on a roll from garden centres. We have it to keep the dog out of the pond, I can't remember what it cost but it wasn't that expensive and you can remove it when the children are older.
If you leave a gap at the bottom so the frogs can get in and out they will not be affected and you will have peace of mind with the children.

[m1keanderson]

Try contacting one of your local steel fabrication companies. They should be able to supply you with heavy gauge, off-the-peg 2"x2" galvanised steel mesh sheets which can be fitted to a simple timber frame and laid over the pond. The education/enjoyment you and your child/ren will get from having a pond will far outweigh its ugliness (I covered a 6' x 8' pond for well under £150).

Unfortunately I couldn't agree with not covering it in some way. It won't be your child that drowns as they will know the dangers but what about when friends/family visit. My 3 year old views the garden as an obstacle course and his ingenuity of getting up/over/through things makes me proud - little scamp

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by m1keanderson

Try contacting one of your local steel fabrication companies. They should be able to supply you with heavy gauge, off-the-peg 2"x2" galvanised steel mesh sheets which can be fitted to a simple timber frame and laid over the pond. The education/enjoyment you and your child/ren will get from having a pond will far outweigh its ugliness (I covered a 6' x 8' pond for well under £150).

Unfortunately I couldn't agree with not covering it in some way. It won't be your child that drowns as they will know the dangers but what about when friends/family visit. My 3 year old views the garden as an obstacle course and his ingenuity of getting up/over/through things makes me proud - little scamp

I agree, you cannot take chances with children's lives an accident only has to happen once.

[werdnal]

We made our own cover for our pond, as someone else here suggested. A wooden frame made of 1" x 2" timber batons and cross pieces and a roll of green coated mesh or even chicken wire which is cheaper.

Our son has always respected the pond, even with the cover, but it only takes a ball or toy to accidentally be thrown into it to lure them to the edge with dire consequences. We removed the cover last year as he is 6 now and feel he fully understands the danger.

A pond is a very educational and valuable addition to any garden and it would be a great shame to lose it.

[honeybee]

I want a pond in the garden but have a todler so at the moment I'm not risking it and totally understand your worries as they are dangerous to young children if they escape!!! However, I'm sure you could make it safe as said above either by constructing something yourself or fencing it in...Obviously you know what your little ones are like so it's up to you. However if you decide to fill the pond in which would be sad, you will probably find that the amphibians wil return even if the pond has gone. I would contact the bhs or local wildlife trust for relocating them if you have to.