Is this a rough skinned newt, or something else? - Ask Extension
Two were on my patio.
I have a dog. How can I keep them away from my back patio?
Knowledgebase
Is this a rough skinned newt, or something else? #923027
Asked December 21, 2025, 9:16 PM EST
Two were on my patio.
I have a dog. How can I keep them away from my back patio?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Your ID is spot on, but exclusion could be a tough task.
In general, reducing availability of moist areas, insects, and pools of water/puddles that produce insect hatches are the key habitat modifications needed, but achieving those in winter is impossible. However, in the short-term you can and should clear up all wet litter (leaves, etc.) that can also harbor the newts in your yard and around your porch. You can then scout the yard before or while the dog is going out first thing in the morning, and then periodically. If you work with a dog trainer, doing some aversion-training (not punitive) to the newts' scent could be another way to safeguard your dog over the longer term.
I would expect that your home is in or very near wetlands or streams supporting the population from which these animals traveled. In that case, long-term exclusion from your yard may require installation of a "drift" or "newt" fence, but one made from fairly long-lived material. And in this situation (long-term likelihood of recurring encounters) that level of exclusion seems like a good idea for you.
Essentially, you use robust plastic sheeting and wooden (or other) stakes to create a smooth barrier that has a short, buried below- ground (to prevent them crawling under) "apron" and a tight above-ground portion that is 12-18 inches high. The apron portion should point out towards the newts' habitat.
If you Google "newt fencing u.s.", ai will probably pull up this photo from the U.K. https://www.pjcconsultancy.com/ecology/reptile-great-crested-newt-exclusion-fencing/ to at least give you a visual of what I'm attempting to describe. Yours wouldn't have to be quite as fancy as what that contractor is proposing however!
I hope this is helpful.
In general, reducing availability of moist areas, insects, and pools of water/puddles that produce insect hatches are the key habitat modifications needed, but achieving those in winter is impossible. However, in the short-term you can and should clear up all wet litter (leaves, etc.) that can also harbor the newts in your yard and around your porch. You can then scout the yard before or while the dog is going out first thing in the morning, and then periodically. If you work with a dog trainer, doing some aversion-training (not punitive) to the newts' scent could be another way to safeguard your dog over the longer term.
I would expect that your home is in or very near wetlands or streams supporting the population from which these animals traveled. In that case, long-term exclusion from your yard may require installation of a "drift" or "newt" fence, but one made from fairly long-lived material. And in this situation (long-term likelihood of recurring encounters) that level of exclusion seems like a good idea for you.
Essentially, you use robust plastic sheeting and wooden (or other) stakes to create a smooth barrier that has a short, buried below- ground (to prevent them crawling under) "apron" and a tight above-ground portion that is 12-18 inches high. The apron portion should point out towards the newts' habitat.
If you Google "newt fencing u.s.", ai will probably pull up this photo from the U.K. https://www.pjcconsultancy.com/ecology/reptile-great-crested-newt-exclusion-fencing/ to at least give you a visual of what I'm attempting to describe. Yours wouldn't have to be quite as fancy as what that contractor is proposing however!
I hope this is helpful.
