What Repels Coqui Frogs?

The primary substance recognized for repelling coqui frogs is citric acid. This solution effectively agitates the frogs, prompting them to vacate their hiding places and deterring their presence.

How Citric Acid Works

Citric acid acts as an irritant to coqui frogs. When applied, particularly through spraying, it causes them discomfort and agitation. This physiological response makes the frogs actively seek to escape the area where the citric acid has been deployed.

Effects on Coqui Frogs

Upon contact with or exposure to citric acid, coqui frogs exhibit several distinct behaviors indicating its repellent effect:

• Agitation and Displacement: Frogs directly contacted by citric acid become agitated and may jump out of the plants or foliage where they are hiding. This makes them easier to hand-capture if removal is desired.
• Retreat: Frogs that are not directly sprayed but are in the vicinity of the application may choose to retreat from the area to avoid the irritant.
• Suppressed Calling: Male coqui frogs, known for their loud and incessant calls, may refrain from calling for a few days after exposure. This provides a temporary reduction in noise pollution.
• Temporary Repellency: While effective, the repellent action can be temporary. Frogs that retreated or stopped calling may re-emerge or resume calling after a few days if the repellent is not reapplied or if they are not physically removed from the area.

Application of Citric Acid

Citric acid is typically applied as a spray. This method allows for wide coverage over plants and areas where coqui frogs are known to reside. The goal is to make direct contact with the frogs or saturate their hiding spots to induce their repellent response.

To summarize the effects of citric acid on coqui frogs:

Citric acid provides a practical and effective method for repelling coqui frogs and managing their populations, particularly in areas where their presence is disruptive.