TOAD KILLING

HOW TO KILL POISONOUS GIANT CANE TOADS:

The extension service says a humane way to kill the toads is to make them unconscious and then freeze them for three days.

To make them unconscious, purchase a small tube of benzocaine ointment, which is used in humans as a painkiller for toothaches. Take a strip of ointment about 1 inch long (more for very large frogs) and spread it down the spine of the toad from the neck to the tailbone.

In five to 10 minutes the toad will be groggy; in 15 to 20 minutes it should be unconscious, and in about 30 to 40 minutes the toad will die or be near death.

Now put the toad in a plastic container and place it in your freezer for three days.

This is a humane way to kill amphibians because their bodies go into a state of torpor which causes their metabolism to slow way down- just as they would do during cold weather.

After an extended time in freezing temperatures, the toads die. But, if the cold weather is short in duration, the frogs will come out of their torpor state when temperatures warm up.

Why put the toad in the freezer if it appears to be dead already?

The extension service wants to make absolutely sure that heavily drugged toads that appear dead don't get buried alive.

After three days, dispose of the carcass by placing it in a plastic bag and putting it in the trash.

WE'VE FOUND THAT A SHOVEL BLADE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD WORKS JUST AS WELL.