There are a lot of tall tales regarding toads. However, while a few can be dangerous, most are actually beneficial. Today, we’re looking at some ways to get rid of toads; but that’s just the beginning.
We’ll also look at ways to prevent toads from moving in. And finally, we’ll get to know them better and discuss why you might actually want to keep them around.
Getting Rid of Toads
For the most part, toads are not endangered, although they can sometimes be confused with other frogs that are protected. Thus, humane removal should be the primary goal, and killing should only happen if you’ve identified the species.
Kill Methods
We’re going to discuss a couple methods here, but only one of them is humane. Before attempting any of these methods, it’s paramount that you identify the species you’re dealing with to ensure it’s not protected or endangered.
Freezing (The ONLY Humane Method!)
Frogs and toads are cold-blooded, meaning most species will go into hibernation if exposed to cold temperatures (a few species are adapted for colder climates. For this, you’ll need a plastic container with some air holes poked into the lid and some gloves for safe handling.
- Wearing your gloves to avoid contamination, capture the toad and place it in your container. Then stick it in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. This will slowly lower their body temperature, causing them to fall into hibernation.
- Once the toad is hibernating, transfer the container to your freezer and leave it there for another 24 hours. The low temperatures will cause them to freeze to death in their sleep.
- You may then dispose of the body via burial or putting it in the trash.
Mousetraps
Despite efforts that included a Rube Goldberg board game, we have yet to come up with a better kill mousetrap than the traditional spring traps. These can seriously injure children, pets, and other animals. Even worse, the trap can go off and mutilate an animal without killing it.
Pesticides
It should go without saying that using chemical pesticides can also kill other critters and be dangerous to pets or children. However, if you do need to go this route, make sure that toads and frogs are listed on the label and follow all instructions carefully.
Alternate between brands with every application to reduce the risk of them building a resistance.
Relocation Methods
By far, the best thing you can do for yourself, the toads, and the environment is to relocate the hoppers. There are a few simple ways to do this:
Collect the Eggs
If you don’t mind handling the eggs, you can collect them. They look like caviar, but are often stuck together in gel-like ropes. If you simply sit them on a rock in the sun, they’ll die. But you can also put them in a bucket of water and release them into a body of water away from your property to hatch.
Hire Kids
This one’s fun no matter if they’re your own kids or other family, friends, or neighbors. Give them some gloves and set them loose in a competition to see who can catch the most toads. Offer to pay them for each toad caught.
You can then collect them into a container with air holes and transport them a couple miles away to a nearby lake or stream.
Preventing Toads
Perhaps you live in an area known for its toad population but haven’t been invaded yet. Or maybe you’ve just removed the toads from your property. It’s important in both cases to toad-proof your home to avoid future infestations.
Thankfully, this is rather easy and the tricks will also help against a lot of other wildlife.
Build a Wall
Say what you will, border walls can be quite effective. Build one around your property or specific areas you don’t want these hoppers to visit.
The wall only needs to be 20 inches high to prevent adult toads from jumping over it, but should also extend a foot below ground to block smarter toads or burrowing critters like gophers and moles. You may also wish to have the bottom curve outwards a bit to make burrowing under harder.
Silt fences are a temporary garden barricade that also work well in blocking these critters. They’re a cheap, effective option, but will degrade over time as they’re designed to prevent sediment runoff.
Close the Hotel
There are several ways to make your property less attractive to these amphibians. Begin by eliminating the following:
Food Sources
This includes eliminating insect infestations, keeping pet food indoors, and ensuring all garbage cans have tight-fitting lids.
Lights
At night, porch lights or lit windows can attract bugs, with will also attract nearby toads and frogs. Be sure to turn off any lights you’re not using and close the curtains when using a downstairs room late at night.
Shelter
Fence in areas where the soil is kept loose, such as garden spaces. Check foundations and stone walls, cementing any holes or gaps you find. Elevate wood piles 2-3 feet above ground if possible.
You may also need to temporarily fence in low shrubs or remove plants near water features to eliminate potential hiding spots. Finally, mow your lawn regularly so passing toads will be exposed to predators.
Related: How to Keep Frogs and Toads Out of Your Garden
Water Sources
This might not be possible with some water features, but keeping the water moving will help. Meanwhile, eliminate excess bodies of water such as filling common puddle spots and covering pools when not in use.
It’s not uncommon to find frogs and toads in a swimming pool. Unfortunately, they often don’t make it out on their own.
Getting to Know Toads
Toads suffer the same identity crisis as mice and rats. They’re technically frogs, but efforts have been made in both scientific and folk circles to come up with a distinction.
Toads vs Frogs
When it comes to the difference between toads and frogs, there are always exceptions to the rule.
True toads come from the Bufonidae family with 35 genera. However, while all bufonidae are considered toads, some are called frogs. Meanwhile, toads also exist in eight other families.
Some common differences include:
- Frogs prefer moist locations whereas toads are better adapted for dry climates.
- Frogs commonly lay their eggs in a body water such as a creek or pond and usually have a tadpole stage, but toads usually lay their eggs on land and rarely have a tadpole stage.
- Toads tend to have dry, bumpy skin and ridges, whereas most frogs are smooth and moist/slimy skinned.
- Frogs often have webbed toes, but toads rarely have webbing or only have it on the hind legs.
Note that there are exceptions to every single rule (the bullfrog being one of the biggest offenders).
Toad Habitats
Many species will return to the ponds where they hatched to mate. They have the ability to discern close relatives by their calls, thus preventing inbreeding.
Toads may lay their eggs on the shore or in water. Depending on the toad species, the eggs will either hatch into tadpoles or directly into fully formed toadlets.
Toad Holes
It’s not uncommon for frogs and toads to burrow into the ground for the winter. Toads prefer looser soils and are known to invade ant nests or existing animal burrows. However, despite them burrowing as deep as two feet underground, you’re not likely to spot any holes.
This is because toads prefer to dig with their hind feet and back into the hole, allowing it to naturally backfill on top of them. They’re also known to hide in hollows found among rock or log piles, tree hollows, or even make their way into nesting boxes.
What Do Toads Eat?
As with all frogs, toads absolutely love eating bugs and will devour a wide range of garden pests from insects and arachnids to slugs. However, some larger species will also consume small fish or other, smaller frogs.
Note that toads will also eat worms, which might be a less welcome habit if you’re employing toads in the garden.
Are Cane Toads an Invasive Species?
This myth often pops up because cane toads (AKA Bufo toads) are known to be native to Central and South America. They’ve been intentionally introduced in the Caribbean, Florida, and other countries around the world. However, their original range includes southern Texas, making them a native frog species.
There are other species of frog, such as the Cuban tree frog, that are highly invasive to the US, but the cane frog isn’t one of them.
Benefits of Toads
Most toads are beneficial to your yard and garden, although some species are more desirable than others. The American toad and Fowler’s toad are two must-have species if you’re willing to cohabitate, whereas you may wish to avoid keeping cane toads as they’re poisonous to smaller humans and pets.
Potential Problems With Toads
There are a few reasons you might not want to keep toads around.
- Health Risks: Toads may carry salmonella and other pathogens, and a few species are toxic.
- Noise: While not as loud as bullfrogs, toads can still keep you up at night with their mating calls.
- Predators: Toads may attract potentially unwanted animals, such as hawks, owls, and snakes.
Read Also: Are Frogs Harmful to Have Around Your Home?
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