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Need Advice I have a huge toad and slug living in my front yard

Discussion in 'Nature/Habitat/Garden Corner' started by gardecki, Oct 7, 2008.

  1. gardecki

    gardecki BigBrother

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    Any ideas on why they are hanging around....I keep finding the toad on my front steps or right in front of my garage door....is he trying to get in....what should I do, I don't want him to get hurt but it is really gross and I must admit I am afraid of it.....my kids are going crazy over it....I took a picture to share...help
     

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  2. marianne

    marianne Puppy Mommy

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    If you don't want them just bring them to my house, I don't mind the critters at all ... they don't hurt anyone and just do what critters do ... really. :)
     
  3. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    First of all are you sure it is a toad and not one of those annoying political people that are knocking on our doors this season?

    Judging from the picture you might not have a political solicitor but Mr. or Ms. Acris crepitan crepitans, but to be less formal you can just call him or her the Eastern Cricket Frog. I might be wrong as your picture is a bit on the fuzzy side. Many frogs and toads look alike.

    If it is a toad/frog, I seriously doubt the toad/frog is trying to get in to your house. I would gently scoop him/her up with a piece of cardboard and gently transport him/her to a shady/wet side of your house away from the door.

    Toads and frogs are part of nature and deserve to live their lives as nature dictates.

    There the toad/frog will fill his or her days doing toad or frog like things and you won't be bothered by toady or froggy solicitors at your door. In any case as it gets colder he or she will burrow and find a nice hidey hold in the dirt.
     
  4. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Let the dog scare it away! But towards your BACK yard, please... not towards my house.

    As for the slug, that's the size I'm used to coming from Seattle. If you want that thing gone, dump a tablespoon of salt on it. It will leave a mess, but the slug will die.
     
  5. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    But why kill either the frog or the slug?
     
  6. JJB

    JJB Active Member

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    Looks to me like the toad is getting ready to make a meal of the slug.
     
  7. gardecki

    gardecki BigBrother

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    I am crying laughing at the responses. I guess I will live with my new friends for a while. Maybe my 6 month old will start to crawl if he follows it!! I know my other 2 just want to pick him up play with him. The bulldog will have to just continue to bark at the door, god help us all!!!!

    If they get to overwhelming I will take you up on the offer to transport him.......I do back to woods so maybe if I am brave enough I will try it on my own.....My first weekend in this house, 2 years ago a frog(at least it looked smaller than that toad or whatever that is) was enjoying a rest on my chair on my 2 story porch......nature is amazing! I almost sat on it. We did send him back to the woods, wonder why I am so afraid of this new one??? I just peaked outside and he is resting on my steps again....how funny is this? Is it the year of the toad?
     
  8. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Kiss it! It might be a lost prince! :p
     
  9. gardecki

    gardecki BigBrother

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    I should be so lucky to have 2 prince's in my life!!
     
  10. BellaRu

    BellaRu Member

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    The toad is very beneficial. He eats nasty things like crickets. He will just hang around, until it gets cool enough to find a hidey hole for the winter. Slugs are just gross, but serve a purpose as well. Leave em alone. Let nature do her thing.
     
  11. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    It sounds like a children's book.

    "Tripp Toad and Sarah Slug live in a cozy home near cool grass and warm sunshine where they can watch the sun set over Russia..."
     
  12. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    Of course we know you were just being funny there, but this might be a good time to talk to the 2 year old about the importance of leaving wild animals alone.

    Children should not pick up toads.

    1. Toads are fragile and soft and a child can easily hurt the toad, who, by the way, has no ill intentions for the child. The toad will try very hard to get away from the child and the child, wanting to keep the toad will probably end up squishing the toad. Toads don't like being squished. It makes their eyes bug out. :nono:

    2. Toads have two Parotoid Glands behind its eyes. Every wonder why so obviously a tasty treat like a soft on the outside and crunchy on the inside toads are not eaten by everyone? Toads excrete toxins from their Parotoid Glands. These toxins give toads a very bad taste and predators learned a long time ago not to munch on toads.

    While these toxins are not usually very harmful for adult humans, if a child picks up a toad, scares it so it “sweats” and then the child puts their fingers in their mouths (it is a kid thing) it might make the kid a little sick. Generally speaking it is not good to lick toads. :eww:

    Most frogs do not have these glands but some do. Personally I would refrain from licking frogs also (it is an adult thing). :genius:

    It is never too early to teach children the wonders of nature and the importance to look but not touch wild animals. A respect for other life forms is a very important lesson for children.
     
  13. glencastle

    glencastle The Paterfamilias

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    I vote for the salt option for the slug. Liquidate him! :smash:
     
  14. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    Usually the only way to get rid of slugs in your house is to wait until Football season is over.

    <rimshot>
     
  15. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    Seriously folks! He's got a show every night this week - TWO on Saturday. Don't forget to tip the barkeep!
     
  16. glencastle

    glencastle The Paterfamilias

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    Badabing!
     
  17. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    The bad news is that I got a million of em. :scaredeyes:
     
  18. Inverness

    Inverness New Member

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    they won't hurt anything! I agree, let nature help them find their way....
     
  19. technosapien

    technosapien New Member

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    They live in Alaska?

    Sorry, sorry. Couldn't resist.

    I found a frogger in my backyard a few nights ago... well, really, the dog found it, and then I had to come downstairs and release it from my yard. I hope it found its way home. Forgot to take a picture, though. Oh well!

    What I'd like to know is what kind of critter is digging holes every night in the garden plot in front of my house. Raccoons? Skunks? Neighborhood cats? Hmmm....
     
  20. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    It's probably raccoons and squirrels digging the holes. Just skip aeration this year and throw down some seed.

    But speaking of frogs...one year we were dumping mulch on to the garden bed and out jumped a toad. I chased it, really begging with it to stay in the yard to keep the insects down but he would have none of it!
     

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