What are some good ways to draw toads into your garden?

[Ebenezer Frothingham]

My mother has a cottage on a lake, and she has an amazing garden, with all manner of flowers and plants. The one problem is there is a bit of a slug infestation- Toads eat slugs, and toads are a gardeners best friend. I have spotted toads and frogs, as she lives right on a freshwater lake- how can i best attract them into the garden? When a cord of wood was delivered and dropped on the driveway, I cleared away the wood, and low and behold found at least 6 American toads hiding in the pile- They crawled in without my noticing.

Well, toads are drawn to wood piles, but i can't drop a wood pile in the garden- so what are some good alternatives?
thanks!

[BG]

Put up a light. They will eat the bugs that come to the light.

[Wormwood]

Just be creative, toads like dark, cramped, safe areas to hide in during the day. Especially if the ground isn't moist or muddy enough to bury in they'll rest in these places. Maybe move some potted plants ontop of little piles of decorative dead fall with moist leaves under it.

A raised wooden board walk (an inch off the ground) with ways undernearth, like walkway is a perfect way to give them a place to home while leaving you easy access around the garden. I used to have something like this growing up and always found toads under there even in a suburb setting.

Piles of leaves under some dead fall wood is usually the best bet though as the leaves often retain the moisture they need so they won't need to make the trek down to the lake for water.

I'd have to also agree with the bright light in the garden at night. Not only will this detour pests like coons but the toads will be drawn to the bottom of the light to snap up the stunned insects that fall to the ground after running themselves into it. The lower the light to the ground the better.