Should I stop newts eating tadpoles?

No. Newts are natural predators of tadpoles, and Froglife advises pond owners not to remove them or interfere with that relationship.

Amphibians produce many eggs because most young animals will be eaten or otherwise fail to reach adulthood. A pond containing frogs and newts is not malfunctioning; it is supporting a food web. Removing newts may also move disease or invasive plant fragments and does not prevent other predators from arriving.

Give tadpoles structure rather than trying to exclude every predator. Froglife suggests hiding places such as plants, stones and aquatic planters. The RHS recommends submerged plants for underwater cover and emergent stems for insect larvae. Avoid adding fish to a wildlife pond because they add another strong source of predation and competition.

Do not use loose netting as a wildlife solution. Froglife warns that animals such as hedgehogs and grass snakes can become trapped.

Improve cover without separating species

Spread hiding places across different depths: submerged plants, stable stones and planted baskets. Avoid building a trap where a tadpole can enter but a larger animal cannot escape. Keep a gently sloping edge for animals moving between water and land. Observe from the bank rather than repeatedly netting the pond. The presence of newts is evidence that the habitat supports amphibians; it is not a reason to move them. Great crested newts have additional legal protection, so seek specialist advice before handling any newt you cannot identify.

Photographs taken from the bank can help with identification without handling.

Sources

• Froglife: newt behaviour — accessed 14 November 2026.
• Froglife: spawn and tadpole problems — accessed 14 November 2026.
• RHS: wildlife ponds — accessed 14 November 2026.

More from Pond Setup Guide

Add habitat with plants for a wildlife pond and safe edges with escape routes. Marginal and oxygenator are in the pond glossary.