Cane toads are a significant threat to wildlife and humans. They transmit disease and can cause illness or death to humans and domestic animals if venom is ingested or enters the eye.
Mature female cane toad lays thousands of eggs per season.
Black eggs are laid in long clear gelatinous strands. Developing tadpoles appear as a black bead strand.
You can take proactive measures to control and prevent them from spreading.
What you can do
To remove eggs and prevent spreading, use disposable gloves and:
- lift the egg strand from the water
- put the egg strand in a bag and throw it out with your general waste, or
- lay the eggs in the sun and dry.
To deter cane toads from your property:
- use fences 50 centimetres high that are made of plastic or metal
- use natural barriers such as dense bushes, shrubs, grasses, rocks and logs.
Although non-native, the cane toad is not listed as a species that must be managed in the Biosecurity Act 2014. This is because they have become so well established that eradication is no longer feasible.
To report cane toads:
- complete our feral animal sightings form
- call Council on 07 3403 8888.