While it may be unbeknownst to some, toads are actually welcome additions to the garden. In fact, they eat many types of insect pests that affect garden plants. You should think carefully before deciding to kill toads or eliminate toads as they are an important benefit to the garden. However, too many toads could become a problem, or more likely a nuisance, but there are a few things you can do to get rid of garden toads should this occur.
Friendly Toad Control
One of the best ways to get rid of garden toads around your garden or landscape is to make it less attractive to toads. Generally, for toad control, if you remove their favorite hideouts and water or food sources, they will move elsewhere. For instance, toads enjoy dark, damp places. Look for and remove pots, water containers, or ground-level birdbaths. Also, remove any wood, old lumber, or brush piles. If you have pets, don't leave their food outdoors where toads could have access to them. They find pet food quite inviting and since their secretions can pose a threat to dogs, it's even more important to keep this food source out of their range. If you have a pond or similar water feature, you could implement small fencing, which they cannot squeeze through, about a foot (0.5 m.) or so high around it. Also, ensure that toads cannot burrow beneath the fencing. In addition, you could add fish or a fountain, which encourages water movement and deters toad inhabitation. When all else fails, physically removing them may be required. Simply catch the toads and relocate them to a suitable area.
Eliminate Toads Humanely
Some people choose to rid their gardens of toads by killing them. Be aware that in some areas, this is illegal and they are protected animals. Also, be aware that toad populations around the world are in jeopardy due to chemicals and pesticides. We do not advocate killing toads. But, if you feel must, toads are very susceptible to toxic chemicals, like garden pesticides, which can be an extremely slow and painful death. Therefore, if you must kill toads, it should at least be done humanely. The easiest method to eliminate toads is to get rid of their eggs and dispose of them by burying in the ground or leaving them to dry out in the sun. The most humane way to kill toads is to put them into a sealed container (with air holes) and refrigerate overnight. This induces a coma-like state, which is not painful. Then freeze the toad(s) for a few days to ensure death has occurred and bury afterward.
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FAQs
Spray saltwater in areas you don't want toads.
How to get rid of garden toads? ›
Generally, for toad control, if you remove their favorite hideouts and water or food sources, they will move elsewhere. For instance, toads enjoy dark, damp places. Look for and remove pots, water containers, or ground-level birdbaths. Also, remove any wood, old lumber, or brush piles.
Is there anything that repels toads? ›
PupDefense has a smell and taste that Toads don't like. Toads will change their behavior and go somewhere else to avoid crossing the PupDefense barrier to get onto your property. 6. If used as directed, PupDefense is safe for pets, children, birds and flowers.
Why is my yard infested with toads? ›
Outdoor food and water bowls for pets, brush piles, and other clutter can attract toads – and their prey which in turn attracts toads. Watch: Keep a watchful eye on your animals when they are outside especially if cane toads have been detected in your area. Toads are nocturnal and love damp weather.
How do you kill invasive toads? ›
Choose a pesticide designed to kill toads specifically.
Look for a toad-specific pesticide to use. You may be able to find toad-specific pesticides at your local hardware store, but you may need to order some online. Toad sprays designed for cane toads, such as HopStop, are effective against all types of toads.
What makes toads go away? ›
Mowing the lawn often will keep the insect population at bay, which in turn will deter toads. A short lawn also gives toads fewer places to hide. Try to mow at least once a week in wet areas.
Do coffee grounds repel toads? ›
Spreading coffee grounds doesn't just help deter frogs but can also be beneficial for the yard if used correctly. Coffee grounds can work well as a fertilizer for the soil since they're full of nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous.
Can you spray for toads? ›
Wasp spray works well. It won't kill them right away but, since they are amphibians, they absorb the poison through their skin and will die within a few hours. If you have an area that cane toads keep coming back to, punch some holes in the lid of an empty baby food jar and put some moth balls in it.
What does bleach do to toads? ›
One of the studies found that bleach significantly reduced survival of common frog and common toad tadpoles.
What attracts toads to your yard? ›
Provide Water Sources: Toads need water not only for drinking but also for breeding. Installing a small pond or water feature that is accessible with shallow sides can attract toads. Avoid using chemicals in the water to ensure it's safe for them.
Spraying the toad with HopStop® is also conditionally acceptable. Methods which are NOT recommended for the humane and effective killing of cane toads include rapid freezing, cooling followed by freezing or using household products such as Dettol®.
Does baking soda kill toads? ›
Although not officially sanctioned, baking soda also works just as well as citric acid for killing frogs. You can use baking soda on your own property. Hydrated lime is another substance that has been used to control coqui frogs.
Does Roundup kill toads? ›
Across all soil types, Roundup reduced tree frog tadpole survival from 75% to 2%, toad tadpole survival from 97% to 0%, and leopard frog tadpole survival from 98% to 4%.
Is it good to have a toad in your garden? ›
Toads and frogs make great gardening partners. They eat lots of insects, including mosquitoes, slugs, and snails, and ask for very little in return. Help attract these natural predators to your garden with just a few changes in your gardening habits.
How do you keep toad frogs away? ›
Combine equal parts water with equal parts vinegar and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar on the surrounding area of your garden to avoid spraying the mixture directly on your plants. The vinegar will slightly sting the frogs' feet, keeping them away from your yard.
What naturally kills cane toads? ›
What can kill/eat a cane toad? there are no “natural predators” because it is an imported species that has become a pest. some birds have learnt to flip the toads over and gut them via their bellies, which is not toxic as the skin on top of the toad's body is.
Will moth balls keep toads away? ›
"I would discourage people from thinking they can put out some chemical to dissuade cane toads from coming in their yard or snakes for that matter," said Johnson. Mothballs don't work and I'm just very skeptical about these other products that profess to keep toads away.
