The presence of high toad populations or the introduction of toxic, invasive species can pose significant health risks to pets and children, creating a need for population management. In many areas, the Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) represents a particular threat due to the potent toxins it secretes from its glands. When control is necessary, the focus shifts to employing methods that are effective, safe for the handler, and humane to the animal.
Identifying Problem Toads
Accurately distinguishing between native, beneficial toads and toxic or invasive ones is essential for any removal effort. Many native toad species are harmless and play a beneficial role by consuming large quantities of insects. Mistaken identity is common, with up to two-thirds of suspected invasive toads sometimes turning out to be native species.
Toxic toads like the Cane Toad, invasive in regions like Florida and Australia, possess several distinct physical markers. They have large, triangular parotoid glands located behind each eardrum, which secrete a milky, neurotoxic substance. Cane Toads are generally large, measuring between 10 and 15 centimeters, and have dry, warty skin.
Native toad species typically lack these large parotoid glands. A Cane Toad also has a prominent, bony ridge over its eyes that meets in an “M” shape above its nose. Unlike many native frogs, Cane Toads are ground-dwelling and cannot climb smooth vertical surfaces, as they lack the sticky toe pads of tree frogs.
Humane Euthanasia Methods
When a toxic or invasive toad is confirmed and removal is necessary, prioritize the most humane method of euthanasia. Handling any toad requires wearing impermeable gloves to prevent contact with secretions. The toad’s toxin, called bufotoxin, can be fatal to small pets and cause irritation if it contacts human eyes or mucous membranes.
The most humane and accessible method is controlled cooling followed by freezing. This technique capitalizes on the ectothermic nature of amphibians, where a slow reduction in temperature induces a state of torpor. The process begins by placing the toad into a container with ventilation holes and then into a refrigerator set between 39 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 5 degrees Celsius) for a minimum of four hours.
This cooling causes the toad to become unconscious as its metabolic rate slows significantly, acting as an anesthetic. Once rendered insensible, the container is transferred to a standard freezer for at least 24 to 48 hours to ensure a complete cessation of all biological function. The goal is to avoid the formation of ice crystals in the tissues while the toad is still conscious, minimizing pain perception.
Another method used for smaller amphibians is the application of topical benzocaine products. Benzocaine, a local anesthetic, can be absorbed through the moist skin to induce deep anesthesia. However, the concentration and application must be precise to ensure a humane outcome, making this method often less practical than controlled cooling.
Prevention and Exclusion Strategies
Long-term management focuses on preventing toads from establishing residence, reducing the need for lethal removal. Toads are primarily drawn to properties by the availability of food, water, and shelter. Eliminating these attractants modifies the habitat to make it unsuitable.
Standing water is a major draw for toads, as they require it for breeding and laying their eggs, which appear as long, gelatinous strings. Removing all sources of standing water, such as uncovered pet bowls, clogged gutters, and accidental puddles, is an effective deterrent. Reducing the insect population, their primary food source, can be achieved by switching to yellow or motion-sensor outdoor lighting that attracts fewer bugs.
Physical barriers offer an effective way to exclude toads from specific areas like patios, gardens, or pool enclosures. A low barrier, such as a fine mesh screen or solid fencing, can block access. This barrier needs to be at least 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) high and securely buried a few inches into the ground to prevent them from burrowing underneath.
Toads seek shelter in dark, damp environments during the day. Removing woodpiles, leaf litter, and garden clutter eliminates these hiding spots. Modifying the environment and installing physical barriers achieves sustainable, non-lethal toad control.