Ok, that's just too cute -- lounging poolside LOL!

Just move the container, fill it with fresh water, and they will probably find it on their own. Or, catch the frogs - put them in something like a canning jar with air holes punched into the lid, then move the container and relocate the frogs from the jar to their pool yourself. They'll be fine in a jar for a short period of time as long as they have oxygen -- used to do it all the time when I was a kid.

Diggerdee, LOL … The visual … “So, I have these frogs, four of them that I've counted, who have been living large in a container full of water on my patio for the last several weeks. They've been swimming, lounging poolside, and diving and look to be enjoying themselves immensely while the temps have sweltered.”

To move your frogs safely while accommodating the need to power-wash your house, you can try a considerate and gradual approach. First, prepare the new location in the shady patch of woods by setting up a similar environment to their current one. Include as much of the original water and environment as possible.

For capturing the frogs, use a soft, fine-mesh net or wear clean, damp gloves to gently pick them up, reducing the risk of harm. After the relocation, monitor the frogs over the next few days to ensure they are adapting well, showing normal levels of activity and no signs of distress. This approach ensures the frogs' safety during the transition and maintains their well-being.

I used to have pet frogs outside too during the summertime. Good luck!

Can you move it a few feet at a time? Say 5 or 10 feet, then another 5 or 10 after a half a day, then again the next couple of days?

ETA: I would feel just the same as you do. I even catch moths , spiders, etc. and move them safely out of the house.

Silly no, caring yes. I can't even express how happy this makes me! I would be there right along with you and these other caring souls. Are they quite used to you coming close while they are basking in the "pond'? If you had a gauzy curtain or even a towel that you could drape over and quickly grab the edges tight you could move them and the tub all in one go. Hugs to you!!

Thank you for all your responses - and support lol! I think I may have already scared the poor things off.

So, despite the fact that I have lived in a fairly rural suburb for the last 30 years, I'm a city girl at heart, and wouldn't have the faintest idea how to catch a frog lol. So I don't think I will try that, for all our sakes lol.

I decided to try to move the container a few feet. As soon as I pulled, the edge broke off in my hand. (Not gonna lie, that thing's been sitting there for some time, hence all the fallen leaves and water in it!) I found another shallow container, a bit smaller, and scooped some of the water into that, then was able to move the original container a foot or so. Three of the frogs jumped out, one dove under, so when I dragged the container, the one came with it. I put the second container where the first had been, thinking maybe they could leap from one to the other - dare I say it? They could leapfrog from one to the other. Ba-dum-ching! Okay sorry.

Anyway, I watched for some time. After awhile one of the frogs did jump into the second container, and then a second one did. As I was thinking how I should move both containers further, the two jumped back out. For a few seconds I thought they might be stuck in the second container, because the water was low in it and they looked to be having some difficulty in getting out. I thought that might be a good thing, for me to be able to move them, but then they did jump out. And then the one in the original container jumped out of that. And I don't know where number 4 is.

I am hoping tomorrow I see my little friends again. I changed my mind about a dozen times as to how I could accomplish this move, and did have the idea of, if I could get them all back in the original container, I have a second one of the same size I could put over as a cover, and possibly move them, although the container is still heavy and somewhat unwieldy. Peren.all your idea of a towel or curtain is better than using the container as a top - I would have to grasp the edges of both containers to keep them together, whereas with a towel I'd only have to worry about one container. And if I use a towel, I don't have to worry about the size of the top container matching the bottom to prevent escape. I can use a towel over either/both the original and second containers, so I can move them whether they are in the original or second container.

So we'll see. I think two issues about getting them back in the container is one, they now have to jump up and over into it; before they could just step off the cement lip of the cellar doors into the water. I'm guessing it's not really a big deal to have to jump over but also think it's easier to jump down from the same level as the top of the water, as they had been doing. The other thing is I don't think the water is deep enough - or the container is too deep, and they don't seem to like being in shallow water in a deep container - I noticed this when they were in the second container. I had to empty more water from the original container to be able to carry it, and so now the water level is about two inches, while the container is about 4-5 inches, and the second container is about the same.

But, I am leaving them alone for the evening, and I'll check on them in the morning. Hopefully they jumped back in either container, and I will try the towel cover and moving them. If they aren't there, I will move the containers another few feet and wait and see.

Thanks again for your thoughts and ideas. Really, they are much appreciated! I'll report back - hopefully with good news!

:)

Dee

Who also found three toads while moving pots off the patio!

Jordan, I meant to add - I am trying to keep and reuse all the original water, and even scooped out some of the leaves (because the container is so heavy) and put them in a bucket to put back in the container once moved.

:)

Dee

Please keep us posted on how it all turns out!

Love your frog adventures Dee!! Yes please keep us updated 🥰

Dee -- I love frogs, and here in the "country" I have many of several kinds. I do have my fountain pool out in the back gardens (if you recall from my lost-but-not forgotten photo essay some time ago), and that is a favorite place. Believe me, they have no problem negotiating the jump from the ground up to the pool surround, which is about 18 inches high, nor jumping out when they wish from inside the pool to visit their kin in the woods nearby.

I am also guilty of having several things I leave around, such as buckets, on the gravel driveway up front. And I neglect emptying those after a rainstorm most of the time. And those frogs of mine find these and happily jump in there as well. Just yesterday I was startled by two frogs inside one of the bucket here when I attempted to empty it! I am always amazed that frogs would bother to go across the gravel to get to the buckets... AND, weirdly, if the water has darkened from sitting so long, the frogs' skin changes color to a darker than usual shade!!!

So, you shouldn't worry about them so much. If you provide water anywhere, they will come (if they wish to). The disturbance of your house project may keep them away for a time, but I can almost guarantee that they will be back! Meanwhile, I'll bet they are telling their friends about the terrific vacation spot they have been enjoying at your "spa". lol

Roxanna

Oh, I meant to mention one particular frog I have -- it is the cutest darn thing! Only an inch long, pale tan color, and I cannot identify it (so far). This one prefers my lawns and gardens, not the water features. It's elusive, seldom seen, and a marvelous treat when I spot one. And then there is the occasional eft that graces me with their presence... I love it all. =)

This post made me smile this morning. Thanks.

Darn, I posted here over 12 hours ago and my post has disappeared! And, unfortunately, so have my frogs. :(

I had only moved the container once, and the frogs ran away. They came back for a bit, but then before I even moved the container another increment, I never saw them again. I don't know where they went. I moved the container out to the yard, leaving the original water and leaves in it. I might be imagining things, but I think I see little teeny tiny tadpoles in the water. Of course, I've never seen a live tadpole in my life, lol, so I could be full of beans.

I should add I caught a lot of flak for disturbing these guys lol. Several family members came in the house with the first question being an accusing "why did you move the frogs?!" So I had to defend myself with the powerwashing, and then they backed off. But I was glad to see I wasn't the only one attached to these little guys.

So I will be watching the relocated container for awhile. If my buddies come back, or if I get frog babies, I'll let you know!

Thanks again,

:)

Dee

Did the frogs find their way back?

I don't know yet - I actually had surgery a few days ago so I've been unable to walk out to check on the container. And no one has been here for me to send on such an errand. When my daughter comes home tomorrow I will send her out there - or maybe I'll be feeling up to a stroll by then. I am certainly hoping for SOME frog activity, whether it's my old buddies or some new friends!

:)

Dee

Very relateable Dee! Here is my frog friend and I am so careful not to disturb him. 🙃

Being a city girl, I have no frogs or toads, but I think your care about them is charming! 🐸

debra

Dee I hope you recover well from the surgery!

Dee, your comment about tadpoles brought back a wonderful memory. i worked in outdoor education after college and we brought the kids to the swamp and marshes to .muck around . we collected all sorts of larvae and bugs to take back to look at under a giant group microscope called a bioscope. We found caddis fly larvae in the stream.

Anyway at some point we brought back frog eggs and over the next weeks we staff watched them change. i can still visualize those nubs growing into legs and the metamorphosis into frogdom. Of course we returned them to their natural habitat.

i still get excited when i find a toad in the garden. and stop in my tracks at cool fungi or lichen.

Marie ~ I wonder how many children today are able to discover the wonders of Nature. They so often have their eyes gazing on a screen of some sort and are totally unaware of the wide wild world around them. Very sad!

had to chime in.... My son bought a house that had lovely gardens and a really nice pond and a water slide feature. He wanted none of it BUT he loved the bullfrogs in the pond. He also loves to run an excavator. After a year of worrying about the pond feature and keeping the koi, he said no more and borrowed an excavator and tore it all out. Boo hoo. The frogs ran from every crevice!!! I hope they are all right and have survived their upheaval but we'll never know. We are farmers and love the baby deer, possums, unusual spiders, herons etc...even saw a shiny gold bug one time. Life does go on, tho. lol

So I took a stroll out to my container in the yard, and sadly, no frogs :(

I do still see some tiny things swimming around - the things that I thought might be teeny tadpoles, but they haven't changed much in size, so IDK... honestly, what do I know from tadpoles lol? Probably just wishful thinking.

But, I will leave the container there for awhile and see what happens.

I DID, however, see a snake! When I walked out there the other night it was the first time I'd been out in my garden in a week, and what a jungle!! How the heck did all that happen in just a short week??? And of course I can't do a single thing about it for at least another week,so it will only be worse and even more overwhelming. Oh well. Oh, the snake - yes, it unnerved me a bit. I've seen snakes in my garden before but usually sleeping under a rock I picked up, or somewhere sleeping and drowsy in the sun. This one slithered away in the grass so quickly I couldn't believe it! I guess at least it was going AWAY from me lol.

Marie I have sooo many toads in my yard, and I so appreciate them all! All sizes and types, big, small, different colors. Love 'em!

peren.all thank you for your good wishes! I'm doing well!

:)

Dee

Someone wrll certainly correct me if i have a frog’s lifecycle wrong. Dee you will see a mass of globular gelatinous eggs before you see a tadpole. The eggs are visible to the naked eye. The tadpoles cannot hop into the bucket and eggs dont just appear; they come from a female frog who found herself in a bucketvolintarily or involuntarily. ( if frogs have volition) of course a human can collect frog eggs and put them in a human made environment)

if you changed the water in their container and they skedaddled i dont think it is likely there were eggs left behind

Before i go further im going do a a quick review of frog metamorphorsisis

The tiny swimmers may be mosquitos.

We need some frogs…,.

Marie, I mentioned above how I saw the things swimming in the original water (before I moved the container), and I did indeed transfer the water (and the leaves that were in it) when I moved the container. I wanted to keep it as much the same environment as possible for the frogs - who were living in that container for a good three weeks at least before moving, so it could well be that one of them was female and one laid eggs. I may not know much about tadpoles (or any animal for that matter) but I do know lol that eggs just don't spontaneously appear! :)

But... all that being said, it has indeed crossed my mind that all I am doing is harboring a future generation of mosquitos lol. So cecily you may well be right!

I guess we will see. That container will be out there for at least another two weeks, whether I want it to or not, per doctor's orders regarding lifting. So I'll just keep watch - although honestly I am beginning to think it's just a big mosquito motel. Sigh...

:)

Dee

You’re right , of course Dee, you certainly said you saved the original water. im sorry if i sounded patronizing or implied you didnt know the origin of fertilized eggs of any species!

i really hope some frogs return. Maybe this heatwave will encourage a search for a new watery home.

No worries Marie! I was just repeating that info - I know sometimes folks (me included) just skim the thread before posting. I so very much did NOT want to disturb these little guys and thought, since I could not physically move the container as is, I could at least keep the original environment as much as possible. One of the reasons I even transferred the same wet leaves was because of the possibility of eggs - although again, what do I know? Do frogs lay their eggs in pond debris or right in the water? I certainly don't know lol, but to be on the safe side, everything went right back into the newly moved container.

It's funny, my daughter lives right down the street from me and has two two-year-old girls. I usually go there, because the logistics of traveling with two 2-yos is not worth the trip down the street lol. Now that I've had surgery and can't drive or walk that far, they are coming here, and I so so SO wish the frogs were back! The girlies would be absolutely enthralled and filled with joy at them! So i'm really hoping for a return so I can share them with the girls!

:)

Dee

You find the eggs where you find mama frogs: freshwater shallow edges.

Dont you have such an area like that on your property? maybe when you are healed you and the kids can go look for a nearby frog habitat and next year find some eggs.

Hooray! I've been following this thread and I'm delighted that your frog came back!

Whether or not it is the same frog what instinct led it to water? Amazing!

Hooray is right! I am so happy for you! I am sure others will join the pool party!

Yay!!

LOL thanks guys! Nice to know others were rooting for my froggy friends too!

:)

Dee

@diggerdee zone 6 CT I loved reading your post! The value of frogs to our environment cannot be overstated. They’re the first sign to us of things going wrong with our environment & wow - do they eat the bugs! We have frogs in our yard too but they’re bright, lime green tree frogs. Tiny things but we find them in the BBQ - no jokes about frogs legs - we now check when we lift up the lid. We also had a frog burn out the condensor?? some small part on our AC outside during a 115 degree heat dome a couple years ago. The repair guy’s charge was $250 for the visit to find the reason our AC went out. The part he replaced was @ $20.

KW, I have a lot of toads - all sizes, all colors, and - puzzling to me - so many on that hot, hot sun-drenched patio. Everything you read about attracting toads says, shade, water, a little house for them to stay cool, yada yada, and there they are on the patio which even us humans don't use much because it's too darn hot (it's about 25x13 feet, almost full sun all day, surrounded by the asphalt driveway and parking area - so much heat!) But there are the toads lol! I also often find them on my driveway. And admittedly, I do find them often in the grass, woods, garden as well, but that's more to be expected.

I too always see what I'm guessing are tree frogs. ?? Very tiny - some not even an inch in diameter! Usually in shades of brown and golds and beiges.

I'm still scratching my head over these frogs in the container though - more scratching going on over them than the toads lol. At least with the toads, my patio is surrounded by trees, woods, wild spots, shade, etc. But with the frogs? No standing water or ponds or creeks, etc. on my property or any of my immediate neighbors. There IS a large pond a block over but I can't fathom why frogs would leave that lovely, natural, peaceful environment and hop that far (not to mention cross a busy street lol) to live in a bucket on my patio haha.

:)

Dee