Non-harmful way to deter frogs from hanging out by hot tub

[Lysa]

I adore our native Pacific Chorus Frogs and their wonderful winter rain mating songs! Unfortunately, they like to hang out under the rim of our hot tub lid, and sometimes jump in and die when we open it to get in. I always bring a headlamp and can usually catch and relocate them, but lately there are so many it’s really difficult to catch them all.

I’ve noticed that new ones often show up in the exact spot the ones before them were, which has me thinking that they are led there by scent. After I move them I’ve been rinsing the area with water and that seems like it may help some of the time. I’m wondering if there is some smell they don’t like that might keep them away? I’ve searched online and have found a lot of other people posting about frogs in hot tubs but all the solutions were for poisoning them, which is the last thing I want to do!

Hoping someone here has some frog wisdom!
Thank you,
Lysa

[Philip Tymon]

Interesting question. I have seen the same thing happen. Also, they keep jumping in my pool and I keep moving them to the pond, but I always find some back in the pool (which is chlorinated, so not good for them).
I'd be curious to see if anyone else has a solution.

What comes to mind is that bullfrogs are their enemy, so maybe a recording of a bullfrog playing at your hot tub would keep them away?

[bill shearer]

I think what might work is a brightly lit sign that says---------Area closed to all frogs!!! Violaters will be Toad