Cane toads are Australia's biggest pest and their deadly poison can kill a domestic pet in minutes, but there is now a product that works just like a fly spray to eradicate them.
Dr David Dall, the sprays inventor, joined TODAY to talk about the first Australian aerosol to combat the cane toad.
It's called HopStop and it contains an anesthetic which causes the toad to fall unconscious.
“Then another component kills it so it basically goes to sleep and doesn't wake up again,” says Dr Dall.
Cane toads have poison glands on their shoulders, which kill dogs and cats that pick up toads in their mouths. The toad venom causes rapid heartbeat, convulsions and death within minutes.
One can of HopStop will kill 35-40 average size cane toads and is safe for domestic animals.
Dr Dall says users should spray the toad for 2-3 seconds.
“The dead toad should be collected 1-2 hours later, and placed into garbage using gloves or tongs as it may still be poisonous.”
People should ensure the animal they are spraying is a cane toad, not a native frog.
Cane toads have distinctive characteristics:
bulging 'poison gland' areas on their shoulders
a bony 'M-shaped' ridge over their nose
do not have suckers on their toes
HopStop has been trialled successfully in a wide range of locations and settings and is available in hardware stores for just under $20.
For more information visit
www.pestat.com.au
