Jeannine Tilford has plenty of reasons for seeking vengeance on thousands of toxic Bufo toads stalking Florida backyards.
One night, after tending to the horses in her barn, she knew something was up with Smudge.
It was scary to watch, said Tilford.
His eyes were dilated it looked like he drank a six pack.
That translates to between $260 and $325 a night.
She hunts five nights a week.
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And shes looking to expand.
That puts them right next to many household pets.
Now, thanks to an explosion in new development, the invasive amphibians reach keeps on expanding.
Thats bad news for Fido.
But a good opportunity for Tilford.
Plus shes really, really good.
After getting out of the reptile business, she eventually became a teacher in the early 2000s.
Tilford made some extra cash singing with her country band,Casey Raines Band.
But raising her now 16-year-old son without child support meant foregoing vacations, new clothes and new shoes.
I just covered my expenses, Tilford said.
It left no money to do anything.
Yes, they were.
This year Ill be making more money, Tilford said.
And shes diversifying by starting research on the New Guinea flatworm, another nonnative species.
(Do NOT Google a picture of the New Guinea flatworm.)
Last year, she was able to take her son on their first vacation in 16 years.
They basked in the sun in the Cayman Islands.
(Her all-time record is 136 toads in one night.)
After homeowners called the police on her a few times, she knew she needed to change her attire.
So she added the red LEDs to make herself more visible and less threatening.
That night in north Miami Beach presented Tilford with a toad mosaic, with dozens clustered throughout the yard.
We took out 100 toads in less than 40 minutes, she said.
And I tell you they were some of the largest toads Ive ever seen.
Each session usually takes less than an hour.
Youre basically like the landlord coming out and evicting any new toads, she said.
Then she puts them in a freezer, where they die humanely in their sleep.
No, not next to the ice cream and frozen pizza.
That was the stuff I didnt really think about at first, she said.
For Tilford, an experienced toad-catcher, the $2,000 startup costs didnt pose a huge risk.
The problem is going to get worse before it gets any better, said Johnson.
Im certain of that.
Alex Mahadevan is a data journalist at The Penny Hoarder.
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