Many on this island have given up on fighting the coqui frog but there are a few diehards like me who hunt and kill one by one on my property. Was wondering if anyone has any NEW frog fighting tips because I can use all the help I can get. I'm especially interested in hunting tips.
Here's a couple of my tips:
A squirt of half-clorox half-water will temporarily stun the frog. Its jump is smaller and slower so you can catch it. If the solution has hit a plant you like a lot, douse some fresh water over the affected area to minimize leaf damage.
To chase a frog from a bushy area where it is nearly impossible to see the fellow, squirt with the solution to chase him out. It may take more than one night, but he will eventually change locations.
Why clorox? Hey, I can't afford to buy citric acid. I want to mention that clorox doesn't kill the frog unless you make him swim in it a while.
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Hi taropatch,
I don't know if my methods count as new, but I've recently discovered the joys of hunting them with a Crosman Airsoft pistol which doesn't require CO2 - you springload it by hand. It has more than enough force to kill them at short range. Much easier than carrying around a CO2 pistol. You can get biodegradable pellets too. The pistol was only $13 at Walmart. No need to wear gloves or touch the frogs.
Like you, I get them one-by-one and while I head for the singing males I also keep a good look out for any other frogs nearby. They often return to the same spots.
If I have been away for a while and they start to overwhelm then we blow baking soda onto them with a leaf vacuum. It does work, but it is a hassle. Only recommended if you have many frogs or a large area.
We also had a device to help us pinpoint the frogs (it collects sound in a bowl) but hardly use it anymore as we've become good at pinpointing them ourselves. For the frogs out of reach or just impossible to find we have a bucket of citric acid ready which we apply with a pool toy that shoots a stream of water 30ft in the air. Not sure what they're called.
Looking forward to others' tips and tricks.
Happy hunting!
rbakker, where do you buy baking soda in bulk?
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Do NOT try to grab a coqui that is hiding in a bromiliad (sp?)!!!
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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We make a mixture of water and coffee grounds - let it steep - strain it and then put it in sprayer and keep handy on the deck.
When we hear them close by, we just grab the sprayer and give them caffeine heart attacks.
The trick was to have the sprayer close by .... instead of oh, i'll do it manana. Nothing like watching a bunch of carpenters & coronas and one sprayer chasing down one male coqui. If nothing else, since we are so easily amused, it adds to the entertainment for the evening!
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I like to think the ones I hear are eating bugs that would eat me. At night I can hardly distinguish the background from the ringing in my ears. But yeah, I guess I am already surrendered to the onslaught. Our friend on Kona side is militant about their removal. He can only hear a few, so he has a chance to make a difference.
Life goes on, with you or without you.
Peace and long life
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Wrap a ring of clear packing tape about three or four times around the trees close to the house. Keeps the frogs away from the windows.
