If you are a pet owner
and live in South Florida, you should know about the Bufo Toad (bufo marinus); known to the NWF as “are
one of the leading threats to native wildlife”. The Bufo toad prefers warmer
moist climates, so summertime in South Florida is perfect breeding ground for
these pests. They lurk in yard, under bushes hunting the insects buzzing around
your porch light.
The Bufo Toad, also known as a Cane or Marine Toad, was
originally brought here to help maintain the insects in the cane fields, but
they quickly became a nuisance. They fed on other toads, snakes, insects, and
small creatures (anything that fits in its mouth). The poisonous toxic glands on
the backs release a corrosive and toxic liquid when it feels endangered.
A few precautions are:
1.
Most important. Know what they look like! Adults
can be 6-9 inches with reddish-brown, dark brown, or grey warty skin. The large
triangle parotoid glands are prominent on the shoulders. A Florida native toad
will have oval parotoid glands . (size does not determine one to be more
poisonous then the other. It is the size of your pet and the amount of toxin)
2.
No invitations. Bufo love pet food, so leaving it outside will
only bring unwanted guests to dinner. Keeping the food and water inside will
eliminate the invitation.
3.
You sleep, they hunt. The most active time for a Bufo is at
night, early morning, and after rain. Keeping your dog under supervision while
outside during these times is the best way to avoid the risk of any run-ins.
4.
Playing hide & seek. Is your landscaping full of big bushy
plants and shrubs? These are great hiding places for these dirt dwellers. If
you have these safe havens, check regularly or remove.
5.
Supervision. All dogs are curious, but an unsupervised puppy or
playful dog and a Bofu are only asking for a trouble. Don’t risk the chance of
delayed treatment if the two do meet.
6.
Build a barrier. 20 inches high mesh, buried 6cin around the
parameter of your yard. It’s not foolproof, but it is a start. If there are
high volumes in your neighborhood, it could be worth the investment.
If you’re pet does go head to head with a Bufo the quicker you
respond the better for your pet. First you have to remember DO NOT PANIC. You
will need a clear head to help your pet. First rinse the mouth out with water,
going side to side. Spraying water straight back will only force the toxins
down or drown your pet. DO NOT DROWN YOUR PET BY FORCING WATER DOWN THEIR
THROAT! The toxin is sticky so you may need to wipe the mucus membrane out of
the mouth. After that you will want to call your vet and let them know you are
coming, then calmly transport your pet to the vet for further care.
After the initial mouth rinse you can use a wet paper towel
(replacing frequently) to wipe the toxins from the palette, gums, tongue, and
teeth. Don’t forget to wipe the paws off also.
(Using a hose does give a higher risk of pushing toxins down
your pet’s throat, as well as causes more trauma for your pet.)
Symptoms that your pet
has been poisoned by a Bufo Toad:
● Increased salvation or foaming ● Brick-red gums
● pawing
at mouth or vocalizing ● uncoordinated
● Difficulty breathing ●
seizures/convulsions
*If
too much time passes, the possibility of death increases.
How to kill the enemy
1. Freezing
Toads- Considered the most humane way. First you must catch it. You can
spread benzocaine ointment on it’s back (a small amount) and it will cause
the toad to be unconscious in 20 minutes. Then, place in the freezer for 3 days
and discard responsibly! The Florida Wildlife Extension at UF recommends this
method.
2.
Snake Killer Deterrent- If you prefer to do the preventative route
though it won’t eliminate all Bufo Toads, it can radically reduce the numbers
in your yard because they detest the Snake Killer. Spread it around the
perimeter of your yard, specifically concentrating in well-known Bufo Toad
areas, like by bodies of water, near lights, or anywhere you may have noticed
them hiding out in the past.
3.
Bucket Trap- Bury a 5-gallon bucket (or larger), so the opening
is level to the ground. Grease the buckets sides well, so the toads cannot get
away. Throw some pet food in the bottom. There MUST be a light source overhead
or nearby. You can do this by setting it up under a floodlight and using foil
to reflect the light or setting up a light directly above the bucket. (A light source must be
present nearby to attract the frogs) They will smell the dog food
and become curious. You may need to build a barricade around this to protect
your dogs and kids. If so, make sure there is a large enough opening at the
bottom for the toads to hop in.
4.
Bleach- the most extreme solution, as bleach kills the Bufo
instead of acting as a deterrent or trap. Though not the most humane, the
quickest solution is to pour 1/2 cup bleach over Bufos. They will die almost
instantly and then you can responsibly discard them. This method should be used
only as a last resort against Bufo Toads or in an emergency situation.
Hopefully, this has provided some solutions to anyone with a
Bufo Toad problem.
A dog poisoned by a Bufo Toad will die 100% of the time if not
treated.
Be careful if you live in an area with these giant toads and
keep an eye on your pets at all times!
Bufo
Toads can cause eye and skin irritation to humans as well as other side
effects.
Note:
* With
very few exceptions, any toad in Florida that is larger than 4 inches is NOT
native and is almost certainly an invasive Cane Toad.
* In the
known range of these toads, it is a good idea to catch and identify ANY toad
you see in your yard to be sure that they aren't dangerous
