Hopstop®

Cane toads secrete a deadly mixture of bufotoxin poisons, which makes them a lethal threat to pets, native fauna and potentially, small children. Now in plague proportions, it's estimated there are more than 200 million cane toads ranging across Queensland, the Northern Territory, northern New South Wales and northern Western Australia.

Cane toads have also invaded residential areas, attracted to insects under lights and well-watered lawns in domestic settings. It is estimated that about 1.4 million Australian households are now co-habited by cane toads. As the cane toads' range continues to expand, so the number of cane toad poisoning incidents can be expected to rise.

Pets are particularly at risk, and small children also need close supervision in toad-affected locations. When animals, including pets such as dogs, attempt to eat toads or even just pick them up in their mouths, they can ingest the bufotoxin mixture which is secreted through the toad's skin. When the poison is swallowed or absorbed through mucous membranes such as those in the eyes, nose or mouth, it can affect the heart, blood pressure and breathing, and cause paralysis, salivation, twitching and vomiting. In severe cases death from cardiac arrest can occur, sometimes in as little as 15 minutes.

Until now, feasible methods of cane toad control have commonly involved bludgeoning with a blunt object, or the inconvenient method of catching toads, putting them in a plastic bag and then freezing them for 48 hours. Consequently, householders have long been seeking a humane and safe method to protect pets and wildlife against the cane toad menace.

With an established history in pest management R&D, Australian bioscience company Pestat has, under the guidance of research scientist and Managing Director Dr. David Dall, developed a safe and easy approach to managing the cane toad scourge in domestic settings.

"HopStop® provides the first safe, humane and convenient method for controlling cane toads," explains Dr. Dall. "It has been designed for use in urban and suburban settings to protect local native fauna and provide peace of mind to pet owners and families," adds Dr. Dall. "If lots of people look after lots of little patches, we think a big impact can be made."

"However, we also believe that destroying any animal - pest or not - should always be done in the most humane manner possible," says Dr. Dall. "We believe condoning violence towards animals of any sort sends the wrong social message, particularly to children."

The active chemical in HopStop® is already commonly used throughout Australian households and the product has undergone thorough testing and achieved registration with the Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority.

To use HopStop®, just hold the aerosol can 20 to 30 centimetres away and spray the toad for 2-3 seconds. Within a short time, the toad becomes unconscious, and then dies. Wearing gloves, simply collect the toad 1-2 hours later, and dispose of in a rubbish bin to prevent any animals picking up or trying to eat a dead toad.

HopStop® is readily available in Australia through Bunnings nationally (visit: http://www.bunnings.com.au Stockist: 03 8831 9777) and is also available from selected Mitre10 and independent hardware store outlets.