Toads

[OwnLeeOne]

I have had toads digging little burrows in my pots and grow boxes for a few months now, they are there almost every night. Sometimes i see them in there and I can tell because if i smooth it over there will be a new burrow the next day. I think they are looking for water or just a moist spot to sit in. I spray them sometimes with detol or give em a chop with the shovel. I really hate them haha, Does anyone else have this problem?

[Leigh Taafe]

No probs down here in Canberra ! Too dry I would guess! Are you talking about cane toads?

[Glenda]

Hi OwnLeeOne,

I have the exact same problem. I seem to have one toad in particular who has taken a liking to my willow leaf ficus. I have now put it up on a shelf, and put one with a higher pot in its place. Will see what happens.
I am using 100% diatomite on the willow leaf, and I wonder if it likes the extra moisture/cool? Sprayed it with insecticide the first time I saw it. It didn't like it, but didn't seem to do the toad any harm, either.

Glenda

[Chris]

No probs down here in Canberra ! Too dry I would guess! Are you talking about cane toads?

none here in S.A. but i do have problems with magpie and bees.

i would love a little toad to chat with out there in the quietness

maybe set up a pot just for the toad

[Greth]

No toads down here, we do have a variety of burrowing frog which gives me one hell of a fright every time I dug one up in the garden. I just sort of replant them somewhere, not sure of the right etiquette with burrowing frogs. Never seen them in the shadehouse, or indeed anywhere but underground. I assume they must move around sometime and breed somehow, but theres never any signs of activity. They seem to be very happy with my peastraw/paper mulch.

[Glenda]

i would love a little toad to chat with out there in the quietness

maybe set up a pot just for the toad

Toads are an introduced species which is wiping out a lot of our native wild-life. The even eat small mamals. I love frogs, but toads HAVE TO GO. Especially when the poison they squirt can blind you.

Glenda

[Luke]

yeah we have toads here... not a big problem... long as they don't mess with my plants or get in my way.... what the hell.... they could be smarter than some humans for all we know!
Theres a young one that jumps past where i sit most evenings...it stops.. looks at me... then keeps hopping...
(pretty sure he is telling me he only wants my bugs)
i relocate (throw-roadward) big ones, then scrub my hands!!!
i really wish we had frogs here!!!!!

luke

[Joel]

yeah we have toads here... not a big problem... long as they don't mess with my plants or get in my way.... what the hell.... they could be smarter than some humans for all we know!
Theres a young one that jumps past where i sit most evenings...it stops.. looks at me... then keeps hopping...
(pretty sure he is telling me he only wants my bugs)
i relocate (throw-roadward) big ones, then scrub my hands!!!
i really wish we had frogs here!!!!!

luke

You would have frogs if it wasn't for the Cane Toads. You should kill them. Just be sure they are in fact cane toads and not native toadlets etc. If any make it down to Sydney I will make it my mission to personally kick their warty bums outta here.

*EDIT* Anybody read the books "Toad Rage", "Toad Heaven" or "Toad Away"? They make up a series. Very good and humorous read. Thoroughly recommended to people of all ages!

Joel

[kvan64]

Yes, there are heaps of can toads in QLD and they love to hop on and dig into bonsai pots from the top layer. I use a big thong, grabbed and chuck them over the fence...and they came back WITH THEIR MATES too. I don't like killing animals but there might not be another solution. People suggested me with the old method - wacking them with the golf club. Others are a bit more scientific by saying: "the most humane way is to wrap them in plastic bags then freez them in the freezer. Their system just slows down and finally shut down

[Luke]

Yea agreed.. they need to go!!! but it was initially a team effort to bring them here.... do u think us up north brought them here just for a State of Origin mascot?
hahaha... Strong lil beasts they are... i bet 5 connections with a golf club couldn't kill one!!! (freezer is the best way to humainly end a toad life).. we were so stupid to bring them here in masses in the first place!!!!! (id rather kill a cane beetle!!! now im killing amazing lil (frog like) creatures.... thanks GOV! cheers!
and we are expected to believe everything radical Mr Rudd believes..... I am just not too sure... can u blame me?

luke

[Jamie]

i have the same prob with them, they get into my grow boxes and pots, it annoys the hell out of me, but living where i do in a rural area i get heaps of them all the time, no way out of it really, i could spend an hour a night with a golf club and still have more hop my way, i have found they dont like anything like fly spray and stuff, if you put enough on it should kill them.
i generally leave them alone though as knowing my luck RSPCA would drive past as i was practicing my drive and sting me for it, and they will fine you for killing them inhumanly, i know its stupid but thats the case i dont like the idea of getting them and putting them in my freezer either, i put food in there, so bugger that.
generally i just leave them be, but if they do get in my grow pots or boxes they are quickly taken out with tongs and then stomped on, then thrown out the back paddock, but yes its seems as thoug you kill one and the next time there is 3 or four and so on


jamie

[Hawaiian77]

Howzit mates,

It's funny, living in Hawaii you would think that we would have the same problems with toads with our climate and all. But I haven't seen one for a very long time. Mind you that some parts of the island is wetter then others and I do live on the south side which is dryer then most. It would be funny seeing a toad trying to get in my pots being on the second floor of a condo.

-Tim

[bundyfisher]

Quite a few toads here but also have quite a few green tree frogs (they don't damage anything) which I feed grasshoppers I catch eating my celtis(they seem to be a magnet for them) .The only sporting thing to do with canetoads is to get a couple of big waterpistols fill with detol and cheap acrylic paint (just enough to add colours) and at dusk with a torch spray them and next morning see who had the biggest tally

[Tenacity]

Sounds like fun...

[Rhiannon]

Hey all. I don't wanna get my conservation biologist hat on, especially on a weekend, but can I just ask that if people are going to kill the toads you do it as humanely as possible?

Like I said, I'm a conservation biologist, so I hate what they're doing to the native wildlife as much as anyone and want to see them completely eradicated. But it really isn't the toads' fault they were brought here by dimwitted people who didn't have any scientific justification to warrant their introduction.

It makes me cringe every time I hear of someone killing one with a golf club or a car. I've worked with them in pracs and they're actually quite charming despite all appearances. I hate the effect they're having, but please consider that it is a living animal worthy of as much respect as any of you.

And yes, their system shuts down at 5 degrees (C), hence why the freezer works and why they'll never make it is south as my home town.