Bofu/Cane Toads in South Florida

[3dognight]

I've recently moved to South Florida for the Winter and brought along my pups. (I have two Shelties and a Cockapoo). A friend of mine recently warned me about the poisonous and often lethal Bofu toads, which has led me to do hours of research and possibly educate me to the point of paranoia.

Are there any folks in Florida (or other tropical areas) who have had experience with these toads who can impart any advice? Are there particular times of the year and/or times of the day when the frogs come out? Are they easy to spot in your yard? (I've only seen them in pictures) Has anyone, god forbid, had a run-in with a Bofu toad? Is there anything I can do to keep the toads out of my yard (it's fenced but it's not a privacy fence)

I am particularly concerned because my Shelties are small (just 13 lbs) and the poison is especially harmful to them. Also, my male is pretty fearless and chases anything that moves. I know to keep an eye on the dogs when they are in the yard, but we know how fast those Shelties are - I'm scared that they'll spot a toad before me and lick it before I can even act. Of course I can leash them, too, but they hate having that restraint in the yard.

I've even considered muzzling the pups when out in the yard at night and it's difficult to get a large scan of the yard. I'm definitely driving my husband crazy with my fears, so I want to know if I am being irrational.

 

[Mikos_Mom]

Ugggh... I just looked up some info about toads and dogs... I have to admit that I'm very glad I don't live somewhere inhabitted by toads.

Looks like you just have to be vigilant and do your best to prevent them from coming into your yard.

The website I read recommended 1/8" mesh around the bottom of the fence. (burried 4" into the ground and at least 20" up the fence)

It also recommended keeping them leashed at night when the toads come out.

Best of luck!!! ... I'm sure that with some careful preparation and keeping the dogs leashed for their night-time potty everything will be fine.

 

[Megansmom]

We don't have the toad issues that I am aware of here in muggy Houston, but we have other on the ground toxins that my puppy is totally attracted to . For now until our 14 week old boy grows a little out of the putting everything in his mouth stage, we made a "safe area" for him in the back yard.

 

[Caro]

Cane toads are a big problem over here, so lots of warnings are issued on how to protect your dogs.

Cane toads are nocturnal so you mostly only need to worry at night. During the day they stay hidden in grasses, drains and under rocks and similar. At night they look for water and head to light so turn off your outside lights and don't leave water outside. The adults are big and heavy and don't jump well so you could put shade cloth around you fence high enough to stop them getting through (the smaller juveniles can jump but they don't carry the poison). I have also head that you should put a bell on your dog collar if you take them outside at night and can't see themm so you can monitor whether the dog is making extra movements so may have spotted a cane toad.