Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are Australia’s worst invasive species. They are toxic at every life stage, and prolific breeders, producing up to 35,000 eggs each time they reproduce.
This breeding rate has been a challenge of controlling these pests…. until now.
The Cane Toad Tadpole Trap and Lure system is a world first technology that breaks the breeding cycle of canes toads. Designed to target the vulnerable tadpole stage, now you can remove toads before they grow up to cause damage.
How it works
The Cane Toad Tadpole Trap and Lure leverages the natural cannibalistic behaviour of cane toad (Rhinella marina) tadpoles to control their population. In Australia, cane toad tadpoles are instinctively drawn to and consume other cane toad eggs, as a means to reduce competition and seek nutrients. This attraction is driven by a specific pheromone released by the eggs.
We have isolated and identified this pheromone, which is the active ingredient of our Cane Toad Tadpole Lures. When placed in the trap, the lure emits a “scent plume” that attracts the cane toad tadpoles. They follow this scent into the trap, where they become captured.
Simply set your trap in the warm shallows near a swarm of poisonous cane toad tadpoles, and return to remove the infestation a few hours later. Once trapped, it’s easy to pour out, humanely euthanise and responsibly dispose of hundreds of cane toads, before they grow up to cause damage to the environment.
What's our secret?
Backed by science
Our lure technology was originally developed by researchers at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience. A single Cane Toad Tadpole Lure will attract 85% of a cane toad tadpole swarm when used according to instructions. Gone are the days of trying to net tadpoles, simply set your trap and let nature do the work.
Made for Australians
Made by Australians, for Australians. After years of trials, our team found that the most common problem with trapping tadpoles, was the build of the trap itself! So we designed this trap to take the guess work out of cane toad control. Our traps are made locally in South-East Queensland through rapid injection moulding. They are made tough to last in Australian conditions. They are re-usable, helping you control cane toad tadpoles for years to come.
Environmentally friendly
The Cane Toad Tadpole Trap and Lure is pesticide free, and frog friendly. The lures are made from all natural pheromone, nothing synthetic or nasty. They do not have an impact on water quality, safe to use in swimming pools or livestock dams. As a bonus, the lure pheromone is highly selective for cane toads, meaning that it will not attract native frog tadpoles into the trap!
Where to use the trap and lure
The Cane Toad Tadpole Trap and Lure system is perfect for use in toad breeding habitats on your property, such as ponds, pools, streams, or dams. Cane toads prefer still water for breeding, so we recommend monitoring waterbodies on your property and setting the trap when you notice cane toad tadpoles appear.
Cane toad tadpoles typically favour warm, shallow water and often gather in swarms. The trap is designed to sit on the ground in the water, with funnels oriented towards the tadpoles to maximise capture efficiency. Situate the trap as close to the swarm as possible for best results.
Cane toad tadpoles are jet black, with a diamond shaped head and eyes on the side of their head.
Cane toad tadpoles have a transparent tail frill. Catch one in a glass for a good look!
Cane toad tadpoles will typically swarm together in large groups, preferring warm shallow water.
Questions? We're here to help
How do you set the trap?
When should I set my trap?
Where should I put the trap?
What should I do with the tadpoles I catch?
Will the trap and lure impact native frogs?
How can I implement tadpole trapping in my business or organisation?
If your business has a toad breeding waterway on the premises, or your organisation is out in the field conserving our environment, we have a course to train your employees how to get the most out of these traps and lures.
I've lost my instructions! How can I use the trap and lure?
You can download a new set of instructions to print here:
Don't just take our word for it... hear from our customers!
Trap & lures very effective in our pond – complete elimination of toad tadpoles over 4 days of 8 hours per day trapping
I ordered the trap having followed the cane toad progress for many years around our small wildlife pond and wetland area, and feeling hopeless. No matter how many toads we caught, nature always sent us more! Our main pond, which I have been restoring, became the home of an early cane toad tadpole swarm. I tried to scoop them up with a leaf scoop net, with mixed results. Then I ordered a Watergum cane toad tadpole trap and WOW – in less than 24 hours the pond was completely cane toad tadpole free – with zero other amphibian by-catch evident. Everyone who lives on a cane toad prone waterway needs one of these!
Join the Cane Toad Challenge
Watergum is all about being a part of something real. Cane toads are hugely problematic in Australia, causing declines in native wildlife, poisoning domsetic pets and eating beneficial insects, which has ramifications for ecosystems and agriculture.
We’re excited to bring this groundbreaking technology to Australians, so you can finally make a difference in reducing your local cane toad populations. Finally, effective, humane control is here.
The Cane Toad Challenge is more than a great technology, it’s a citizen science project. We’re on a mission to better understand cane toads and how they interact with our environment, impacts and control methods. Want to get involved?
Want to get involved? It’s easy! Simply head out tadpole trapping and submit your data.
Submit your data
Head out trapping and submit your data!
Learn to identify cane toads
There are more than 240 species of native frog in Australia. Learn to tell a cane toad apart at every life stage!
See our outcomes
The Cane Toad Challenge has been running since 2021. Check out our outcomes since then!
This world first technology is brought to you by Watergum, and made possible by our product partners
Want to learn more about our fight against cane toads?