Table of Contents
Stop Poisonous Bufo Toads from Spraying Your Dog
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
TED'S REMEDIES
12/07/2006: Sarah from Boynton Beach, FL writes: "I don't let my dog out in my fenced backyard at night during the summer without escorting him because I've seen deadly poison bufo toads. I killed one, and it sprayed me with the milky secretions that would have killed my dog. Can you suggest anything that would keep bufos out of my yard? Thank you."
"Replies
Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Sarah: It takes only 15 minutes for a bufo toad poison to kill the dog, so you need to find a way to prevent that or at least give the dog some common home antidotes when a poisoning does occur that might help this problem.The method of poisoning that bufo toads employs is the secretion by which it shoots at the victim up to 2 meters of the white liquid secretions called bufotoxin which is used in much smaller amounts to as a medicine to treat hepatitis B and also in the making of poisonous darts. Fortunately, the toad is only found in U.S. in Florida area.
I often believe that bufo toads in general do not attack its victim, but because we are getting in its way or know it is being attacked. Dogs and cats are commonly poisoned, but mostly dogs because they tend to bite or provoke the toads. One way to prevent the dogs to bite is to put a muzzle over the dog's mouth to the prevent dog from biting when it sees a toad. So the worst that can happen is that it will get the liquids sprayed into the eye of the dog, which can be washed immediately. The dog won't be poisoned as much as orally when biting the toads.
The other thing is to control the toad population and set a trap. One trap is to dig a hole in the ground and put a large bucket so that the height of the bucket reaches ground level - so a minimum of 5 gallons up. It should be high enough that the toads cannot jump out of the bucket. You can also use a much larger area to dig, like a baby tub, only that you have to dig a hole large enough so that the toads can fall.
The second thing is you need to get a light bulb well protected from rainwater so that it doesn't blow up the lightbulb where the thin wood stick out to the center of the large bucket or baby's tub. When you do set up the tub, be sure to apply plenty of motor oil so it will be very slippery that there is no way the can climb out.
Also make sure that the baby tub is steep enough that the toad cannot climb up. Whenever it reaches the night, the bugs will be attracted to the lights, and the bufo toads will see the bugs and attempt to jump on to the baby tub or the 5 gallon bucket. Make sure the tub of the baby tub exceeds or equal to about 10 inches. A giant toad can jump to the height of up to 10 inches. If it is not tall enough you may need to either dig a little deeper so that it is below the ground level, making the escape more difficult.
If at all possible, usually not, but clearing water from the ground and making it dry will keep the toads away through improving drainage.
In case of poisoning of toads, by a dog or cats a one possible antidote is plenty of vinegar plus some hydrogen peroxide 1% which can help, but won't neutralize everything as some have some vasoconstrictor elements in the bufotoxin venom poisoning. However, the easiest access of common remedies I can think of in dire emergencies that is everywhere appears to be only vinegar. So bathing plenty of vinegar might help. Raw white eggs, uncooked if eaten, might help and can be poured on the dogs mouth to suck up the toxins. Bentonite clay or activated charcoal in powder form is another possibility to suck up the toxin from the surrounding area. Whatever you do, you still need to send the dog to a vet who can further do treatment.
It is not a perfect antidote, but it is better than not do anything."
06/03/2009: Johnny from Orlando, Fl replies: "This article is BS !! Cane, Marine, or Bufo Toads CANNOT shoot or squirt toxin. Period. This is an old wifes tale. (Like porcupines being able to throw it's quills) Also these toads not only exist in South Florida but most of the Caribbean and South America.Just don't eat one!
Dr J.H."
09/24/2009: Lita209 from Sanford, Fl replies: "I was born and raised in Puerto Rico (Caribbean) and the first time I have encountered a Bufo Toad has been here in Florida."
03/29/2011: Pd from Tampa, Fl replies: "These toads are all over florida. i live in tampa, in a residential area and do not have a pond or lake on property and they are all over our yard. we have six dachshunds and have had 2 of our dogs get the poisoning. lucky for us we were there to wash out mouths, etc immediately and they are ok. i do not like killing any animal and actually we work in dog rescue, but i can tell you 100% these are extremely dangerous to small dogs/cats and death is usually in 15-20 minutes if too much poison is ingested. we kill all bofu toads in our yard, typically by freezing them. at night and early morning, we have a small confined area where we let the dogs out and we walk the area first with a rake to try and make sure there are none there before letting the dogs out. but we have a frog gig handy just in case. this am, our female got one, we had to gig it, kill it and then rinse out the dogs mouth, luckily she was fine. i know it is not the frogs fault, natural defenses, etc. but i am not going to let them kill my pets... so i will do whatever it takes to kill any bofu that gets into my yard. just wish i could figure how to keep them out."
 Reply to this Thread |  Email |  Print |  Back to Top |
AMMONIA
Ratings:
|
[YEA] 05/12/2009: Lisa from West Palm Beach, Florida writes: "We have alot of Bufo Toads in area. Our dog run is secure with plexi glass to keep critters from getting in however these toads can get through very small cracks. The best way to get rid of them is pour 1/2 to 1 cup of ammonia on them. Amonia is cheap and since they breathe through thier backs the ammonia kills them instantly. I don't like killing anything however I have a few small dogs and can't risk one of my dogs getting a hold of the bufa toad. If I see one in my dog run I have to get rid of the toad before my dog goes after one. Small dogs are at most risk however my friends large dog swallowed a bufa toad and died within 15 minutes.
If your dog gets hold of a bufa immediately take a wet cloth and wipe gums and tongue. Then turn on side and run water through the mouth. Make sure your dog does not drink the water, you must get the poison out of the dogs mouth as quick as possible. Then rush to vet."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
AMMONIA, MOTHBALLS
04/25/2011: Brenda from Lake Worth, Florida writes: "I live in Lake Worth Florida, I have two Brussell Giffons and they love to play in yard, we have alot Bufo toads here, I read all the articles they were great. I do the moth balls and I have a can of Ammonia always handy ready to spray and that really works on the spot. I don't dare let them out @ night by themself I stand on guard with my ammonia in hand. I have been lucky with my two dogs they are small breed, they see something moving and they attack. Your articles are life savers. Thank you Brenda, Molina, Shadow."
Replies05/04/2011: Westies from Lake Worth, Florida replies: "Hi Brenda, do moth balls work?"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
BABY SHAMPOO, OLIVE OIL, VET
06/23/2009: Paulette from Thonotosassa, Florida writes: "On June 22, 2009 our little Jack Russell was poisoned by a Bufo Toad. We caught her almost immediately after we saw her flipping it with her nose. Her left eye was shut. I immediately washed her head and nose with Baby Shampoo and rinsed for an extremely long time. I gave her a teaspoon of olive oil and she started throwing up volumous amounts of frothey white liquid. She started stiffening up and closed her left eye completely. We rushed her to the vet and they started an IV to push fluids. We were sent home as soon as she could walk. They gave us anti convulsants in case she started to have seizures in the night. I think that the extreme wash saved her life. We are still watching the eye to make sure that she doesn't form an ulcer from the poison. She is one lucky little dog."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
BENEDRYL
Ratings:
|
06/29/2011: Kathy from Jupiter, Florida writes: "Please E mail a copy of your article to ulikediss(at)aim.com and Lisaeofolg(at)gmal.com I would greatly appreciate it. This is a wonderful article. Thank you Kercolano02(at)att.net"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[YEA] 09/06/2009: Linda from Bisbee, Arizona writes: "My ex, myself, and our magnificient and curious miniature australian shepherd were renting in what was "Dog Heaven". Acres and acres fenced to run in and a water reclamation system that included a series of sedimentary ponds, the largest and last full of Koi, pond vegation, and unbeknownst to us, bufos. We lived in the desert and water was scarce so even with fencing we dealt on a regular basis with mule deer (great sport for Roxy), along with vicious and deadly javelina. Needless to say she chased the deer off of the property gleefully, was not so gleefully ripped to pieces by a large javalina male and two females (treated that after throwing myself onto her and into the middle of the javelina's blood lust who would just as well kill a human as a dog (not smart). I got lucky making awful noises and they retreated. I treated this after carrying her into the house by filling and filling deep the gore holes that simply swallowed two bottles of the only thing on hand which was hydrogen peroxide and stuffed the wounds with dressing to put pressure inside hoping to stop the bleeding....yes, I know this is about bufos. The bleeding was totally stopped by morning and slowly she began to heal.
And now, the Bufo toads, One morning I went to drink my morning coffee with her while she took her morning swim, herding the koi from one end of the pond and back, something she did daily and for hours and I noticed a white film covering the enire pond. Then I looked at Roxy and could see her struggling to get on shore. By the time I had her in my arms she was convulsing with eyes rolled back. I checked her gum color for oxygen and they were very gray...all the meanwhile rubbing her everwhere trying to keep her blood flowing. Again, grabbed the only thing on hand which seemed close to appropriate, this time it was a full adult size benedryl pried her mouth open and opened the whole capsule in her mouth rubbing it into her tongue both top and bottom, on her gums thinking that from under the tongue on a human goes straight to the brain. Within just a few minutes her eyes began focusing and I began walking her just like a puppet thinking it might help keep her blood flow going, soon she began to try to walk on her own but needed help. She did show a rapid significant improvement with the benedryl, she weighs 29 to 34 lbs depending on how spoiled she is at the time. I am just sure the benedryl turned the tide. Roxy and I are moving back into this rental which was really paradise and peace for both of us so now I want to know....Exactly just how much benedryl I can give her at the max possible dosage, also does it come in a gel cap (haven't seen any) because in liquid form it would absorb much more quickly into her system.
I will definetely keep large amounts of vinegar for killing the toads and for her to drink and I very much appreaciate both this site and the information from all participants. I will also use the tub and light solution and lower the population. One more problem. It is my understanding that other frogs do not co-habitate with bufos so all of the guppies in differing stages are bufos. Roxy sticks her whole head into to the water trying to bite and catch them. Are they poisonous at this stage? During her second incident she crawled halfway from the pond headed towards the house when I found her. We went through the whole poisoning thing one more time and the benedryl once again brought her up quickly. Now I will use both prevention and cure. Bathub and lights and motor oil. I will make it my mission to lower the bufo toad population which it seems given the choices here will be a steady but doable new defense.
Thank you,
Linda A.
Bisbee, Arizona"
EC: Cross-posted to the Pets - Wounds Care page, thank you!
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
FLUSHING MOUTH WITH WATER
Ratings:
|
[YEA] 09/28/2011: Jay from Tampa, Pinellas writes: "This is the second time that I have had one of my Frenchies lick or eat these toads ( by the way, they all have some form of nurotoxin) The first dog I revived 5 times on the way to the Emergency Vet. She had a 5% survival rate. Tonight (9/28) My second female Frenchie ate a small one. They go absolutely spastic trying to get the toxins out of their mouth. Both times hitting them with Benedryl help, also you need to get as much of the toxins out of their mouths(wet Cloth). She was bleeding profusely from the mouth due to a dollar shape (necrotic) circle.
It may sound cruel but I also took the hose from the sink and forced as much water into her stomach and mouth. The first was to ensure she threw up, second to clean as much of the toxin into a wet cloth. The key is whatever you do has to be quick. The first 15 mins to half hour are critical. I have not heard of the vinegar before but if it works and I will check with the VET in the morning. Please pay attention to ALL toads. Theses incidents occured in Delray Beach and Palm Harbor."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
07/21/2011: Scissorgurl from Honolulu, Hi writes: "I moved to Hawaii 7 months ago and have never heard of a Bufo Toad. I have to boston terriers about 20 to 25lbs each and luckily the 1st time I caught it right away and rinsed there mouths being sure to keep them from not swallowing the water, its hard but try your best. It worked best for me to lay them on there side so it would drain out. And if the jaw locks up I used my sons fork that has the rubber grip to prey his mouth open to get some air. And then once you get them able to move a little and breathe go to the vet if not sooner. After that the vet told me they come out at night so be careful so after 5 I NEVER let them outside I only walked them on a leash. During the day I never saw them until monday afternoon I let them out while I had people delivering my sons bed and when I went to get them less than an hour later I found one dog already dead and the other I took to the vet. He stayed 3 days and now has edema on his left side the vet said he has never seen that before but he is ok. They are litter mates so I worry about him, This has been so difficult I dont know how I am going to get through this I feel like its my fault and I know people said they didnt want to kill the toads but I will now go out of my way to do so if I see one because they killed my family member. These are no joke! Watch out and take precautions. R. I. P Monk! You were the greatest dog!"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
11/22/2009: Kristin from Pahoa, Hi writes: "My Pit has a grudge againt the Bufo frogs we have here in Hawaii and I find it interesting that nobody seems to know they exist here too! The last two weekends in a row he has gotten ahold of one. Luckily he didn't swallow it, just shook it. He immediate began froth at the mouth, his jaw locked up. I dragged him inside and started the flushing process. It usually takes about fifteen minutes of flushing with clear water and wiping gums with a wet cloth before I can even get his jaw open to start on the inside of his mouth. I know everyone says to flush the inside, but when a pitbull locks his jaw, it takes a lot more strength than I have to open it... Luckily my Pit is a big pussycat and the only danger is that he can't control his jaws when this happens.. I have noticed when they begin to unlock, they do have a tendency to involunarily snap back shut the first several times so watch your fingers!!"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[YEA] 06/07/2008: Jim from Stuart, Florida writes: "There are two forms of Bofus frog, only one is dangerous.
In my many years I have found that a garden hose and wasting the mouth of the dog, holding the head sideways, as quickly as possible is very effective in saving the dog. Also rub the mouth and gums. Once it gets into the blood stream, it will take 15 minutes or less to kill a dog or cat, generally a smaller size. Humans will get a rash or burning eyes so wash asap.
The bad one is the Bufo marinus. The Southern Toad is the smaller of the two, no larger then 3 inches and is not plump as the other is.
They are brown or gray-brown on top, sometimes with cream colored spots scattered across their backs, sides and legs. The underside is a sickly pale yellow, sometimes flecked with black. The back and legs are covered with spiny warts."
[WARNING!] 06/16/2008: Mae from San Ramon, Costa Rica replies: "Bufo Toads: I am reading your postings, but too late after the fact, unfortunately. I wish I had known how very deadly this toad really is, and am writing things to my friends here also to let them know just how deadly they are. This weekend, my 2 little Bichon dogs got a hold on one, and the larger dog is very protective and within a minute he was showing all the symptoms stated. The littler one must only have given it a lick because he recovered. The larger one did not. They are such small animals, and in spite of my natural instinct to rinse their mouths with running water, it did not help the bigger one. He had gotten it into his blood stream within less than a minute that it took me to separate them. It was only 10 minutes until the one was gone. I will never be remiss again in keeping dogs on a short leash. I want everyone to know the danger they present."
EC: So sorry for your loss.
07/04/2011: Valerie from Port Saint Lucie, Fl replies: "THat is heartbreaking. Thank you so much for the info. Today I thought I had found a friend in my front yard (the frog) but now I feel I need to do something about it."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[YEA] 07/06/2007: Linda from Pahoa, Hawaii writes: "In Hawaii and at night, the Bufo Toads rule the garden. When the garden contains several koi ponds, you better believe the toads are in residence. My large rotti/lab mix has gotten in the habit of hunting these poisonous critters. By habit, I mean she is addicted to the "high" she gets when she bites into one of these creatures. I've taken to flushing out her mouth with water using the garden hose when she approaches me and is frothing at the mouth. Eyes glazed, rolling on the lawn, and snorting, she appears to be having a grand old time. The only way I can prevent her from indulging in this toad sport is to tie her up or keep her in the house at night. The toads are an asset in the garden as they keep the centipede population in check as both creatures are nocturnal. We are learning to co-exist and I am lucky my dog weighs over 100 lbs and is only mildly affected by this toad venom."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
GENERAL FEEDBACK
01/04/2012: Nancy from Jupiter, Fl writes: "Bufo toads-BLEACH. WORKS. Spraying vinegar or bleach or anything else on them does Not. To kill these deadly poisonous toads either shoot them or catch them and put them in a bucket with bleach. They die instantly. Running over them with a golf cart, or even my car, did not kill them! Online it says they lay 30,000 eggs every other day. Killing one toad a week is not helping.
So far there is not a suitable pesticide to rid us of these venomous creatures that were imported from Australia to Hawaii and South Florida to help the sugar cane owners rid their cane fields of their own pests to protect their profits. Problem is the toads took over and have become a (VERY DEADLY) pest to All of us. The sugarcane owners should be held responsible for this scourge. They should be held responsible to financially support science to find a 'cure' that will rid us of this deadly toad. This toad has the potential to eventually be in all warm weather states killing our pets. Similiar to the Lyme tick. The 'new' tick that was thought to only infect animals until it was finally discovered it infected humans. Who knew about this poisonous debilitating tick 25 yrs ago. Now it is rampant in Every single state, not just Lyme, Connecticut where it started.
To try to rid our areas of as many toads as I can, I went to Wal-Mart and was in line purchasing a BB air gun. In line next to me were 7 others. They all were purchasing various guns. We looked at each other and all said almost at the same time... "Toads. " All 7 of us were trying to protect our pets from horrific, painful and drawn out death because sugar cane owners brought in these deadly creatures. Snakes, birds of prey like hawks, normal animals that might eat frogs, do not touch these toads. They somehow know better. Our house pets do not.
My golden retriever has touched( not even eaten) a toad with his nose and been poisoned. All 4 times I was right there with him. Once he was even on a leash. In the yard the toads look like a leaf or piece of bark. All 4 times the toads were very small-2-3 inches. (I have killed them bigger than my entire hand including my fingers). I put the hose sideways in his mouth and stood straddling him so I could force his head down. You do Not want any water to get into his lungs and get pneumonia. I rinsed his mouth and rub his gums, insides of cheeks, tongue with a wet rag many times also. I hosed him 15 minutes minimum each time. Then rushed to vet. One time I thought I got it all, only to find him foaming again in the car. Luckily the nightime vet clinic is nearby.
One day, hopefully in the very near future, we will get some big-time help from one of the chemical companies that have the funds to research a cure for this problem. It is already an epidemic in Australia and will be one here in South Florida soon.
I think a concerted move should be made by concerned citizens to our legislators to lobby the chemical companies for help to protect our pets.
My friends call me the 'toad vigilante'. So be it. Toads or my dogs? Toads are winning now. Let's end this war."
Replies02/03/2012: Dan from Miami, Florida replies: "First off, they aren't called "Bufos. " Bufo is the Genus of basically all standard "toads. " The only one anybody needs to be wary of is the Bufo Marinus, the "Cane Toad." They aren't a pest, they aren't a scourge, and the only reason they're even remotely dangerous is because dogs sometimes like to eat them. You do NOT need to find horrific, murderous solutions to your toad "problems." Toads are one of the most helpful creatures to have around your home, eating basically every kind of household pest, from mosquitoes to roaches to mice.I have two dogs and absolutely adore them, and I would die for them. However, the last thing I would do is savagely murder a defenseless toad when I could easily put on gloves, pick it up, and place it somewhere more safe. If you have to move them because you don't want your dog to eat them, then at least do it in a non-lethal, non-medieval way. Throwing them in a vat of bleach? Really? Do you cut off people's hands when they steal a popsicle? They're more helpful than harmful. Catch them in a bucket and let them go in a swamp. You should consider yourself fortunate to have such a helpful animal around your home."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
09/11/2011: Bryan from Boca Raton, Florida writes: "We lost our 4-year-old English Bulldog yesterday when a Bufo Toad poisoned him. His mouth was washed out and he was rushed to the vet where they did a plasma transfusion on him. After his seizure he had a temp of 108 degrees C, which was able to be lowered to normal w/in an hour. He was unconscious when he was found, foaming from the mouth and barely breathing. We are truly devastated by his death and taken back, we were robbed of seeing our Bully with the most amazing personality grow to info an old man. Through the years we have seen toads around every so often and have washed our dogs' mouths out after they were poisoned before, but this one took its toll. Please do yourselves a favor, be vigilant whenever possible, escort your dogs outside and use the moth balls, and KILL THE TOADS before they kill your dog... Do whatever it takes because you never want to have the empty feeling of losing your beloved dog, especially when its way before (his/her) time. Our Moose will never be forgotten -"
Replies10/28/2011: Chris from Boynton Beach, Fl replies: "I am so truly sorry for your loss. Tonight my Female Rottie got a hold of one. She tossed it around over and over we did the rinse and thus far she seems to be OK. I know how it feels to lose a part of your family and pray you all are healing!"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
08/31/2011: Justin from Naples, Florida United States writes: "they are a dangerous animals they dont kill in 15 minutes though. it took a few hours for my 12 pound chiwawa to finally die of poisining.
i suggest getting a bebe gun and strapping a flaslight to it. 1-3 shots will probly do it-quick and safe-they will actually chase dogs sometimes.
i reccomend one thing- kill on sight. no waiting and no picking it up and moving it away just to get sprayed in the face and have to deal with sesures for the rest of your life."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
06/20/2009: Colleen from Wesley Chapel, Florida writes: "I was very lucky when one of my mini doxins bit a bofus toad.This was the first time I have ever heard of this toad. After the dogs went outside and got into there crates for the night I heard two of my dogs howling and crying. I go to there crates to see what was going on and my sallest younger doxie was laying on his back. He did not wag his tail when I came in the room and I knew some thing was wrong. He had already thrown up in his crate. I took him out and he was frozen in the fetal position with his eyes hardly open. The first thing I did was take off his colar then I wrinsed him off in the bath tub because he was covered in this sort of sticky slimy stuff I kept trying to open his mouth but he had lock jaw. Finaly I got his mouth open and made sure he wasn't chocking on something. I wraped him in a towel and kept rubing him to keep him warm. His mom came over and licked his nose and kept a watchful eye on him. A few mins. after that his stomach started to rumble. He threw up again. He started to come out of the sorta trance he was in. He also started to loosen up his body and move his legs and head. At that point I knew my praying would keep him here. About an hour after all this happened he was wagging his tail and showing the loving affection he all ways does. The next morrning he was still fine and ready to run out of the door to do his morrning duty but before I let them out I scouted the yard for more of those "killer toads" and found the one from the night before. It was dead with what looked like teeth marks on the top of his head and under the throat. I tell ya I was truly lucky that my dog survived. I love my Little Sabastian!"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
01/30/2009: Marilyn from Miami, Florida writes: "Get a wet towel, throw it over the toad and then call your exterminator and he removes it to a canal far away...."
Replies05/11/2011: Joe from Homestead, Florida replies: "and that canel is surely by some other dog owners home.... :-("
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
LIQUID ANTISEPTIC
Ratings:
|
[YEA] 08/15/2008: Elizabeth from Brisbane, Australia writes: "The most simplest remedy of getting rid of poisonous toads from your property is to spray them with Dettol. Just a few squirts and the toad is no more!"
EC: Dettol is a liquid antiseptic commonly used in Australia to kill toads. It may also be toxic to the environment. Read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dettol
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
MOTH BALLS
Ratings:
|
[YEA] 08/01/2009: Ohnoice from Coral Springs, Fl. writes: "MOTH BALLS DO KEEP KILLER TOADS OUT OF YOUR YARD!!! REMEMBER, THESE TOADS DIG UNDER FENCES AS WELL AS SQUEEZE THROUGH. PLACE MOTH BALLS AROUND OUTER FENCE ABOUT 2-3" APART. REPEAT AS OFTEN AS NEEDED. NO ANIMAL WILL EAT THEM IF A TOAD DOESN'T LIKE THE SMELL!! SO, BRAVO TO THE PERSON THAT CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA, AND THANK YOU. MOLLIE, BOOMER, AND BLAKE."
Replies06/18/2011: Kathy Prince from Branford, Florida replies: "Thank you for the moth ball remedy! It reminded me of an article I had read on keeping snakes away from Koi ponds. The article recommended crushing the moth balls into a powder! They said to sprinkle the powdered moth balls around the perimeter. I think this may help to keep animals ingesting a "ball" when is all spread out. I believe that the smell alone would keep dogs or cats from eating anything near the stuff! I have 3 Koi ponds and have been dipping toads out every day! The fish don't eat the toads themselves, but I don't know about the tadpoles. Come to think about it, I don't recall seeing any tadpoles at all in the pond where I find most of the toads. I do find them in other places that have standing water without fish. The Koi may just eat the toads eggs, before they hatch. I would have to ask an expert on that one. Either way, the fact remains that even though they don't seem to be harming my fish, my 4 dogs are still in danger of catching one of the nasty critters! I would much rather have the toads stay out of my yard all together! I am going to try the powdered moth ball trick and see for myself!Thanks! "
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[WARNING!] 03/01/2009: Mary from baltimore, MD/USA writes: "Thank you for the information you shared on some toads being poisonous, and the problem this is with dogs. I would like to comment on or question the 'remedy' submitted about using moth balls placed around the property to repell the toads. I believe the moth balls themselves may be a problem because of toxic fumes, or possible ingestion by animals."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[NAY] 07/06/2008: Donna from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida writes: "Bufo Toad Remedies: I tried the mothballs and they did NOT work at all. They smelled bad and I had to collect them all back up. It was a "bad' experience."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[YEA] 10/07/2007: Kathy from Homestead, Florida writes: "I live in South Florida where Bufo Toads are abundant. I have several acres and have 8 dogs, Bufos are my worst nightmare! But as it has happened by accident I think I have found a way to keep BUFOs away or at least reduced in amounts!! I heard that MOTH BALLS repels snakes and snails which I have plenty of those also since I live just outside the Everglades. In the past 6 months since I have put the moth balls around my fence line....I have found ONLY 1 BUFO toad where I usually find at least 10 a day!! Im so happy!! but still on guard because you have to keep putting the moth balls down....ALSO...I have had many of my dogs get Bufo poisoned...and the thing that works best for me is simply rinsing the dogs mouth out forcefully with a garden hose and IMMEDIATELY afterwards giving the dog 100mgs of BENADRYL (OTC)....works like a charm. Havent had any problems at all...but the best is to prevent them from coming to your property...and so far...MOTH BALLS WORK! no snakes or snails either!"
Replies07/04/2011: Valerie from Port St. Lucie, Fl replies: "You say 100mg of benedryl but for how much body weight? That would be way too much for my 12lb chihuahua."
08/20/2011: Jenny from Pageland, Sc replies: "I wish I had looked into moth balls.. I did try wasp spray. I recently found out about these d___ frogs and sadly answers have not come soon enough. We have had two english mastiffs in our 8 acres with underground fence. One day our boy 200lb. decided to have a taste I guess and we thought it was a seizure he was having or rabies crossed my mind except he had that shot... So I talked to my mom and she mentioned she knew a friend once whose dog would react similar from eating frogs???since I had mentioned to her how I had 5 toads that scared me getting in my car one morning hopping around the garage door to get out. My husband believed me but assumed I was being over dramatic mom.. So I noticed the shaking legs when he would try to sit and a huge puddle of foamy drool he had created somehow.. This spaced out non reactive face but when I try to get him water he wouldnt drink so I poured it down the side of him until he drank and drank and drank.. Then within 10 min. or so he was alert and acting regular again. My husband and I made sure dogfood stayed cleaned up too since they are attracted to it. We had hoped he had quit but when I noticed more frog poop (disgusting little terds!! ) all in our garage and concrete drive.. Patio. I knew they were back my husband had put up a bug light to zap bugs away.. Hoping that would help from situation. It did and we hadnt seen any for awhile til all of these every other night rain storms in summer. Then we had come back from vacation the kennel had said he was having hard time with the heat and breathing had sounded rough. So after a big storm he had disappeard never having left the fence in 4yrs I was freaked! Couldn't find him anywhere horrible thoughts of what could have happened to him crossed my mind. But we found him dead floating in the pond out behind our house beyond the fence. I will be buying a ton of moth balls to scatter around property now. He weighed so much that it didnt kill him instantly it was the constant chasing them out in the woods and yard at night that finally caught up with him, Iguess. Our female hasn't really had anything going on except a couple weeks back her eye was really swollen.. Which the vet said to give her Benadryl which I did and it was down the next day.. Come to find out about it now it was possibly a reaction also from the toads. Now we have to deal with the loss and a lonely girl.. so she has extra attention now."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
MUZZLE
Ratings:
|
[YEA] 07/16/2011: Jess from Palm Beach Gardens, Fl writes: "My Cairn has become obsessed with catching toads and has caught two of the poisonous Bufos. Both times were outside normal vet hours. The first time after washing out her mouth we rushed her to the emergency clinic on Northlake. The bill was almost $500. The second time we took her to the new clinic in the Publix plaza on Hood Road. The bill was over $900 this time for the same treatment. She now wears a "cage" muzzle any time she is in the yard and when we walk at night. I ordered the muzzle from Pet Supplies on Northlake. Cost was $15 and she got used to it after one walk. The muzzle is like a little catchers mask for dogs and there is plenty of room to pant but she cannot bite anything. It buckles behind her head and is designed to hook to her collar but I got a collar with a snap catch to hook permanently to the muzzle."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
PUT EXTRA WATER CONTAINER FAR FROM DOGS
Ratings:
|
[YEA] 06/15/2007: Karen from Saint Augustine, Florida writes: "I have two pointer mixes (60-70 lbs. each, I'm sure a smaller dog may not have been so lucky!) who have been "exposed" or bit the "bufo" toad. There was immediate foaming and I was able to make him drink alot of water. This has happened twice. I've since noticed as the summer is progressing the frogs getting trapped in the dogs outside water bowl. I deduced that by putting a container of water away from the area where the dogs go, the toads are trapped and moved away."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
SALT
Ratings:
|
[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 07/06/2008: Donna from Sunrise, United States writes: "re: salt and bufu frogs
Actually, salt CAN work. Sometimes yes and sometimes no. You have to chase them and keep pouring it over them until they're totally covered. They may survice, they may die later and still be "out there" dead and somewhat poisonous. It's definitely worth trying but again there's always more."
Replies[NAY] 07/07/2008: Sandy from Bangalore, India replies: "Please do not kill any living being in a prolonged torturous manner. If any animal/pest has to be killed, then employ a professional pest control service so that the animal has a quick death and does not undergo prolonged period of agony/pain--to eliminate pests, use a method that is the least painful for them. Let us humans be thoughtful towards other living beings."
03/29/2011: Ann from Wesley Chapel, Fl replies: "YEAH - when you lose a beloved family pet to a bofu then let's here what you say. They deserve to die.. Bofus are bad!!"
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
[YEA] 04/05/2008: Craig Wolf from Coconut Creek, Florida writes: "I was told that salt works on Buffos the same way it works on slugs. Since they are made up of mostly water the salt gets into the poors of the skin and dried up their skin and affects their nervous system."
Replies09/16/2008: Mike from Jackson, Mi replies: "Salt?
I am pretty sure this will kill a toad, they're so sensitive that just the dirt and oil on your hands can hurt them (unless you just washed them). But please think sanely for a moment, if you can follow the toad around with a salt shaker to pour salt all over her.. you could just as easily pick her up and put her somewhere she will be happy and away from your dog, if not that and you really feel you must kill the toad, get a hammer and end the toad quickly, before you say that's brutal or that you just don't have the stomach for it, remember this toad is not a mean vicious animal that wants to hurt your dog, it's a toad doing what toads want to do just like your dog is a dog who will do what dogs do and you're pouring chemicals all over it that are going to cause it a long slow and painful death, where it may very well end up crawling off somewhere to die where your dog will find it anyhow, his waterbowl or favorite puddles are pretty good candidates as it will attempt to wash itself off and hydrate. Really not cool."
07/16/2009: Annabelle from Delray Beach, FL replies: "Nice to hear such a humane and logical point of view, all good points and very well stated. Give yourself a pat on the back for being one of the very few to problemsolve the issue while still promoting decency by respecting the living things we share our environments with."
10/03/2010: Excellent Adventure from Hobe Sound, Fl replies: "Dear Fellow Animal Lovers: The bofus in Florida are not natural creatures. They are an invasive species brought in from elsewhere and are a great danger to small animals. Killing them, in my mind is okay. They are strong, persistent, smart, and will not leave your yard even though they realize that you have become their new worst enemy. No bleeding hearts for these guys, they are an invasive danger. From another animal lover."
| Reply to this Thread | Email | Print | Back to Top |
1 |  |