Live Table Decor

A Missouri tree frog is live table decor on my deck table. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Every since Memorial Day weekend, when I put this repurposed birdhouse out on my deck table as a flower vase, a little tree frog has been living in the birdhouse. These are the spring peepers, tiny green or grey frogs with suction-cupped feet that welcome spring in mid February with a loud chorus.

I didn’t put him there.

He moved in all on his own and seemed quite content to share a few minutes every morning with me. I enjoy a cup of tea on my little deck before temperatures make it uncomfortable to be outside this time of year.

When I peeked to see what the attraction was, I found the tree frog inside the tiny plastic cup that held the flowers, usually geraniums cut from my potted deck plants.

As the forecast called for hot temperatures, I decided to give him his own hot tub and added a second small plastic cup full of water.

Didn’t take him long to find the larger body of water and settle in.

The deck table tree frog settled into his little birdhouse hot tub. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Over the weeks, I replaced the flowers and added water, all the while the tree frog was in residence.

I checked the birdhouse around 10 p.m. and found it empty. The tree frog must have been out at a bug drive in. They eat insects including mosquitos.

The next morning, the resident would be back at the birdhouse entrance.

Missouri tree frog in residence in my repurposed birdhouse. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Several people have asked me how to attract frogs to birdhouses. My best advice is to provide a water source in a safe spot like a repurposed birdhouse and see what shows up.

Enjoying some cantaloupe and a glass of sun tea with my little table top friend. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

One last thing. If you do get a little tree frog to move in, don’t bother or otherwise touch him. You can easily spook them by trying to get interactive and noisy.

Remember this is their home and should be a safe place for them.
Our gardens are homes to an interesting variety of animals, including these charming tiny tree frogs.

Charlotte