Building Critter Houses

ROCKPILE FOR CRITTERS: Start with large rocks on the bottom, and add progressively smaller pieces.

Can add pieces of PVC pipe to the interior of your rock pile to create larger tunnels hidden by the exterior rock.

WOOD PILE FOR CRITTERS: Fireplace size logs or larger/longer, 12 to 15 inches apart.

Then take branches up to 2 inches in diameter and crisscross on top of large pieces.

Five feet in diameter at base.

Pieces progressively smaller toward the top of the pile.

Shaped like a dome.

Use evergreen branches at the top for more coverage.

The woodpile (top photo) was put together haphazardly. I am building the second one (bottom photo) with more patterns - large logs, then medium, then small branches. Also, have some gutter downspouts on the bottom for extra critter privacy and safety. TOAD ABODE: Crack off a small section of the lip of a clay pot; then place

it in a shady part of your yard upside down.

The clay pot will help retain humidity, and provide a cool, dark place for toads, frogs, and other moisture-loving amphibians to find cover from the drying sun and from predators as well.

Add a shallow water dish to make the house more attractive to these amphibians. Toads relish slugs and insect pests.

AMPHIBIAN HOUSE: For frogs, toads, and salamanders.

Select a shady spot near water

Dig a 2 inch deep depression the same dimension as your piece of plywood

Place fist-sized rocks in each of the two corners at one end

The top of the rocks should stick out over the depression at least 1 inch.

Lay the plywood over the depression - one end should be flat on the ground in the depression.

The other end propped up by rocks creating an entry point.

Cover the plywood with several inches of mulch or old leaves.

Plant native wildflowers or shrubs around the perimeter for added cover. The one pictured above is a slight deviation from the recipe. . The old refrigerator drawer holds water and stones. The stones create a shelter to allow frogs to go in the water yet stay out of sight of predators. Beneath the tray is a depression with large rocks in the corners and flat rocks on top, creating another hideaway for frogs, and toads.

Optional: build a brush pile on top of the amphibian house.

Place a shallow water dish nearby.

See instructions for this one at YouTube video -  Building a frog house.


Multi-story all-purpose critter house.


Recommended reading -
Instructions above are from National Wildlife Federation's Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife. 

How to restore wildlife habitat in your own backyard. The ultimate goal of creating a naturalistic, wildlife-friendly landscape is to restore a small piece of the natural ecosystem.

• Explains the importance of native plants and the dangers of invasive aliens (non-natives).
• Explains plant naming-nomenclature (hybrids, varieties, cultivars). 
• Offers instructions on how to build critter houses, birdhouses, bat houses, compost piles, and water features for wildlife. 

Plant warm hugs, and Native plants!

Seeking to live a life of greater simplicity closer to nature.

                                     ~Bernie Paquette