The keeping of pet toads in gardens and homes has been done for centuries as an effective means of controlling unwanted insects and spiders.

One toad will eat as many as 3,000 bugs a month, including earwigs, ants, slugs, cutworms, squash and rose beetles, flies and spiders.

They seem to like human kindness and can be trained to come when called and can even distinguish between different people. The males have a very beautiful trill they will call out if you are patient with them. They are home-bodies and when bonded to a home will come back year after year and live up to 36 years or more. They hibernate under ground in winter, but will return each spring to their spot if a shallow pool of water is provided and shade for their home.

Toads are completely harmless to man and provide a wonderful service in the garden, feeding at night and sleeping in the day time.

To establish them in their home after providing the necessary water and having settled their home in a shady spot, the toad can be "fenced in" a few days to bond it with its new home, much as you would with ducks and geese. The pool of water can be as simple as a large hollow crock or dish, just so it's big enough for the toad to soak in as they drink through their skin and it should be kept fresh.

Have fun - and have more than one!