Toad breeding season problem

[Jdk]

Oh no... this morning, i just saw millions of eggs scattered in my pond. The culprits have been removed 3 times to a nearby grass plain but they just keep on coming back. Im suspecting that they are the asian common toad but am not really sure. Btw, ive tried placing a net and it keeps on falling off not to mention how easily the toad can break it. Fishes do not seem to be interested by the eggs but ive seen my oscar eating a large tadpole which i dont know where it came from. What should i do?? They're probably going to come back soon. Ive tried removing as much eggs as possible as you can see in the picture (i actually ended up collecting 3 full cups of those) but there is still a bit stuck between rocks.

 

[Jdk]

And also this. I usually see them sort of basking under some lights that run along the bottom of my fence at night. There would usually be 4-10 toads lined up together at night.

 

[fishdance]

I had good success with this style of DIY trap & a solar garden light.

Put salty water in the bottom of bucket as this kills them even if they manage to escape.

 

[Jdk]

Hmm, very interesting. I will try that out, update you guys asap.

 

[fishdance]

Make sure it has the swinging lid. They won't jump onto the trap without it and it stops them from escaping.

You will have a higher capture rate if you turn off the other night lights. The lights attract moths which attract toads.

Placing the trap at end of a fence line will also help with gathering them. Once you get some success, you can add a couple more traps. Over time, the breeding will reduce because the toad numbers reduce. So having low effort trap(s) will help enormously.

 

[Jdk]

Thanks for the info! Though after further consideration, i think just catching them with a net seems more practical. I could easily spot all of them as they always hang out in the same place under the fence or in my pond. I just need a solution on killing them humanely. Freezing is last option as my family wouldnt want to see dead frogs in the freezer where all my food is stored. Sending them to a far place (unless kilometres away using my car) proved useless as they would come back in just a few hours somehow. Any suggestions?

Oh and does anyone know what species of toad they are? And are the eggs or tadpoles poisonous to my fish?

 

[krichardson]

You could relocate them near a natural body of water that is a good distance from your home but not too far of a drive for you.....as for a species identification you will have to get a clear close up photo of one of the toads.

 

[fishdance]

If they are Rhinella marina then all stages are poisonous to eat. Eggs, tadpoles and toads.

I am assuming these are an invasive species for you? You will not be able to catch them all with a hand net. Some nights you could collect half a bucket. It may be months to get the population down. Look at how many eggs a single spawn creates.

To kill them, a spray of salt water or detol liquid on their back is sufficient. Don't over do the salt though as it kills plants and ruins soil if excessive. To avoid this, I just drop the toads into a bucket of salty water.

 

[Jdk]

You could relocate them near a natural body of water that is a good distance from your home but not too far of a drive for you.....as for a species identification you will have to get a clear close up photo of one of the toads.

Well no matter how many times i relocate them, more just seems to be going back. I will try to take a closer picture asap.

If they are Rhinella marina then all stages are poisonous to eat. Eggs, tadpoles and toads.

I am assuming these are an invasive species for you? You will not be able to catch them all with a hand net. Some nights you could collect half a bucket. It may be months to get the population down. Look at how many eggs a single spawn creates.

To kill them, a spray of salt water or detol liquid on their back is sufficient. Don't over do the salt though as it kills plants and ruins soil if excessive. To avoid this, I just drop the toads into a bucket of salty water.

I think that they are the asian common toad just based on looking at pictures on google. They excrete some kind of liquid whenever i hold them and it makes my skin kinda itchy so im going to assume that they are poisonous to fish. Not sure if they are invasive but i see the same type of toad everywhere in the city. Salt seems to be the best solution and i will try to do the bucket trap.

Im now only worried about the eggs that is still in the pond. Any ideas on removing or maybe killing the eggs or tadpoles? I will otherwise have to do a full water change and remove them....

 

[twentyleagues]

Most toads are toxic. I don't know about all stages of life but I'd guess so. Growing up we had a small wetland near the house and all sorts of frogs and toads would breed in the spring. The garter snakes would sit by the waters edge and catch frogs to eat. The toads would breed a little later in the season and the snakes would leave. Also messing with the toads would cause a foam to form.