Frogs are stronger than they look and can jump much higher than most people realize. When you see a frog on a structure that sits high in the air, such as your balcony, you might wonder how they do it. The fact is, it’s a lot easier for frogs to do this than you think.
Frogs can get on balconies due to their ability to jump over twice their own height and and incredibly long distance.
5 Ways that Frogs Get Up on High Balconies
Frogs can get up onto high structures, and here are some of the ways they do this:
1. Their Jumping Ability Is Incredible
On average, frogs can jump twice their own height, but that is a minimum. Smaller tree frogs do even better than that—they can jump a minimum of ten times their height. But there are two aspects of their jumping—the length of their jump and how far they can jump.
2. They Can Jump Very Far
In addition to the height of their jump, frogs can also jump very far. How far is this? Depending on the type of frog we’re talking about, the average frog can jump 30 to 50 times their own length (not their own height, like the example above). If humans could do this, they’d be able to jump the length of a football field!
3. Their Tendons Do Much of the Work
Contrary to what many people believe, it isn’t the strength of their legs that helps frogs jump so high and far. Instead, it has to do with their tendons. When they jump, the strength comes from their tendons, which expand to maximum capacity and acquire energy from their shortened leg muscles.
4. Frogs Both Hop and Jump
Frogs use both hopping and jumping movements to get where they wish to go. The species with long legs tend to jump to cover long distances, while those with shorter legs tend to hop instead. They both hop and jump as a way to get away from predators.
5. They have sticky pads on their feet
Frogs have amazing sticky pads on their feet which they can use to hold onto surfaces. They can even stick to tiles which helps them to make their way up building walls.
Check out this video of a frog climbing a wall.
5 Ways to Safely Remove Frogs
When you find frogs on your balcony, or anywhere else for that matter, you’ll want to remove them humanely. Here are a few ways to do just that:
1. Scoop Them Up with a Net
You can use a mesh net and scoop the frogs up gently. After the frogs are securely in the net, use gloves and relocate them to the grass or a nearby wooded area. You can also put them in a pond or other body of water if you like.
2. Contact Your Local Wildlife Department
Every area and country has a wildlife department, and it’s a good idea to contact them because you never know when the frogs you’re dealing with are on the endangered species list. They could be endangered, protected, or even on the invasive species list, and these experts can help.
3. Stay Away from Certain Resources
If you’re having trouble getting rid of your frogs, always resist the urge to call Animal Control or a professional exterminator. While these companies can safely remove the frogs from your property, they usually end up killing them in the end.
4. Remove Their Water Source
Frogs need dampness to survive, so if you have stagnant water on your property or holes filled with rainwater, go ahead and get rid of the water so the frogs aren’t as attracted to staying there. If the water source is a fountain or pond, consider getting a filter for it.
5. Get Rid of Insects on the Property
Frogs love to eat insects, so the fewer of them found in your yard, the less likely frogs will want to be there. Try products intended to keep away mosquitoes and other pests, and it should be even easier to get rid of the frogs in your yard.
Things to Keep in Mind When Handling Frogs
When handling frogs, there are a few important things to keep in mind. They include:
1. Always Wear Gloves
Never physically handle frogs bare-handed. Frogs can sometimes carry diseases such as salmonella, and they can spread to you if you handle them without wearing gloves.
Disposable non-powdered vinyl gloves work best because not only do some frogs carry diseases, but some of them are actually poisonous.
2. Protect the Frog
You wear gloves not only to protect yourself from the frogs but also to protect the frog itself. Anything that’s on your hands can be absorbed into the frog’s skin since their skin is semi-permeable.
Even if you wash your hands before you handle them but do not wear gloves, the residue from the soap can seep into their skin.
3. Do Not Hold the Frog for Long
Picking up a frog is all right as long as you do it the right way, but never hold them for too long. When frogs are held, it is stressful for them. They might jump out of your hands or otherwise fall to the ground, where they risk injury and even death. This is also why you shouldn’t scare the frog.
Conclusion
Frogs can jump onto balconies because they can jump both far and long. Many small frogs can jump 50 times their own length, and larger frogs can jump 30 times their own length. If you decide to remove them so you can get rid of them humanely, handle them the right way and make sure they end up in a safe place.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.