In Part 1 of Reducing Health Advisories, we discussed how owners of septic systems could develop a management plan to reduce such health advisories. In Part 2 we look at another option for septic system owners – converting to the local sewer system.
You might begin by asking – “why would I want to do that?”. It’s a fair question. If my septic system is working properly, do I need to convert to sewer? But is it? Some septic systems were not placed in a good location, and the general maintenance you would follow could still lead to leaking fecal bacteria. You may find that to move such a system to a better location would be more costly than tying in with the local sewer system. You may find that no where on your property is a suitable location for a septic system and conversion is needed. There is also the possibility that you septic system needs major repairs due to misuse or age, and that a sewer conversion is a cheaper option. There are several reasons why it might be time to convert.
With increase housing development in the panhandle comes an opportunity to convert from septic to sewer systems.
Photo: UF IFAS
Yet, across the state there has been some resistance to converting. In 2020, a University of Florida research team conducted a social survey across the state to determine why many septic system owners were resistant to converting to a sewer system. The survey was sent to 1,604 Florida residents in September of 2020 hoping to get 500 responses – usable responses were obtained from 517 people (32%). The key findings were broken down into categories – explained below.
Knowledge. The average score on the knowledge assessment was 54.7% – suggesting that they had some understanding of septic to sewer conversion topics. 64.8% could identify a graphic of a septic system, but only 57.1% could do the same for a sewer system. 82.8% could state who was responsible for maintaining a septic system, but only 48% could state who was responsible for the sewer. Only 33.1% could correctly state how often a septic system needed to be pumped out. They only slightly agreed that they understood the steps (or the costs) of converting from septic to sewer.
Attitude. Respondents had only a slightly positive attitude towards septic to sewer conversion. Most saw it as more useful and doable, but were not sure whether it was easy or not, and most felt it was too expensive.
Benefits and Barriers. Most agreed that converting reduced the maintenance responsibility on the homeowner and freed property for other uses. They agreed less that it made them a better neighbor. The major barriers to converting were (a) availability to hook up, (b) upfront costs, (c) and having to pay a monthly sewer bill. There was also a lack of interest in doing so. Suggested barriers they do not see as a major problem included (a) the fear of large scale sewer spills, (b) and having time to think about doing the conversion.
Diffusion and Innovations. Most agreed that sewer systems were more advantageous than septic systems – that they cause less trouble for the homeowner. They also believed that converting to sewer was within their needs, values, and beliefs. They believed that all communities should convert to sewer and that it was the responsible thing to do. 1
The results of the above study suggest that most Floridians believe that IF conversion is available, it is the right thing to do. The primary reasons why they do not would include costs and having a monthly bill. Many also felt there was no interest in doing so. An interesting note here… in my community, there is a cost share program available for specific communities within the city limits. Despite assistance with costs, no one has responded asking to participate. This suggested that the monthly sewer bill and disinterest in the issue are still large barriers. Another thought is that even with cost sharing, their portion of the bill is still outside of their price range. In 2022 we attempted to have a focus group meeting with these communities to see which of the assumptions were correct – but there was little interest in participating in such a discussion group – so, we are not 100% sure why they do not participate.
All that said, conversion to a sewer system is an option for those on a septic system and there are benefits in doing so. As mentioned in the study, it takes much of the maintenance issues and concerns off of the property owner. Though properly maintained septic systems do a good job of treating fecal bacteria, sewer systems usually have three levels of treatment (sometimes more) decreasing the chance of health advisories. But they are not without their problems.
The survey suggested that Floridians are less aware of how their sewers work than a septic systems. In Part 3 we will look at how the sewer process operates. If you are a property owner with a septic system and interested in converting to sewer, contact your county health department to see how the process is done locally, and whether there is a cost share program.
1 Rampold, S. D., Krimsky, L., Telg, R. W., & Warner, L. (2021). Florida homeowners’ knowledge, perceptions, and informational needs regarding septic to sewer conversion. PIE2020/21-05. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education.
Health advisories are issued by state and local health departments when levels of fecal bacteria become too high for the public to safely enter the water. Sewage can be a source of these fecal bacteria. They can harbor pathogenic organisms that can cause of a variety of health problems. State and local health departments routinely monitor local waterways, particularly where people recreate, to assure the level of fecal bacteria is not unsafe. It is understood that the presence of fecal bacteria in waterways is normal, animals do go the bathroom, but excessive levels can be unsafe.
Closed due to bacteria.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
In the Pensacola Bay area, most of the human recreation areas near the barrier islands rarely have health advisories issued. Once every few years there is an issue at the sewage treatment facility on Pensacola Beach and an advisory is issued, or a sewage line is broken either near Santa Rosa Sound or Big Lagoon with the same results. But is very rare.
However, our local bayous are different. The neighborhoods are densely populated with old or outdated infrastructure, and how we manage these systems can cause problems as well. We are going to do a three-part series on what property owners can do to help reduce the number of health advisories issued in waterways where they are more common. In Part 1 we will look at how to maintain your septic system.
Septic systems were commonly used decades ago when city limits, and treatment facilities, were smaller. Many communities within our counties are on a septic system, and it falls on the property owner to properly maintain them.
Most understand how the system works, but for those who are not familiar – here are the basics.
When you flush your commode, take a shower, or wash your clothes, the wastewater leaves your house through a series of pipes and empties into a septic tank buried in your yard. These tanks are usually made of concrete and there are different sizes. A typical tank will be about 8 feet long x 4 feet wide x 6 feet deep and hold around 1000 gallons (again, sizes vary). The solid material settles to the bottom where it is broken down by living microbes. The oils and fats float to the surface forming a scum layer. The remaining wastewater settles in the middle of the tank and drains into a drain field through a series of perforated pipes.
The drain field should be made of less compacted soils to allow percolation into the surrounding environment. There is some physical, chemical, and biological treatment of the wastewater as it percolates, but only if the drain field is properly designed and located. For obvious reasons you should not (and most communities will not allow) have your drain field next to an open or public water system. In Florida it is required that the loose uncompacted soils must be no less than 24 inches above the wet/water table.
A conventional septic system is composed of a septic tank and a drainfield, where most of the wastewater treatment takes place. Image: US EPA
It has been found that if the septic system is placed in the correct location and maintained properly, it does a good job of removing pathogens from the wastewater. However, it was not designed to remove nutrients, which can still leach into waterways and cause algal blooms. And the presence of pharmaceuticals and household chemicals are not always removed, which can cause problems for aquatic wildlife. But to reduce health advisories they can work.
So…
How do we maintain our septic system so that it functions properly?
Watch what you pour down your drain. As mentioned above, many household chemicals and pharmaceuticals are not removed and become environmental problems when they leach from the drain fields into the local environment. Fats, oils, and grease (and even milk) can solidify and form the scum layer at the top of the septic tank. These solids can clog the lines running to the septic tank, or the drain field lines themselves. They can create back flows and could cause untreated sewage to back flow into your home. Our local utility offers the FOGProgram. In this program you can visit a local dispensing site (these can be found at ECUA’s website and there is one at the Escambia County Extension Office) to obtain as free 1-gallon plastic jug. Pour your bacon grease, oils, etc. into these containers. When full, return them to the dispensing location and swap out for a clean empty one. The service is free.
Watch how much water you use. As mentioned, septic tanks come in different sizes and are designed for a certain amount of water. “Flooding” of the system can occur if you are using more water than your system is designed for and this could include flooding of semi, or untreated, sewage.
The scum and solid layers of the tank need to be pumped out. It is recommended the septic systems are pumped once every 3-5 years, depending on the size of the tank. A pump out may cost you several hundreds of dollars, but a tank replacement is going to be in thousands – it is a good investment and will help reduce health advisories in local waterways.
Do not drive over your septic system, or drain field, with heavy vehicles. This could crack the tank and/or compact the soils within the drain field.
The FOG gallon containers are found in these metal cabinets placed around the county.
Photo: Rick O’Connor 1-gallon container provided free to dispose of your oil and grease.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
Studies have shown that a properly designed, properly placed, and properly maintained septic system will work well in reducing the presence of pathogenic fecal bacteria in our local waterways for up to 50 years. Note: like all things, even a good septic tank does have a live span. If you do not know the history of your septic system, we recommend you contact a certified professional to come do an assessment.
As always, if you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact your county extension office.
At their December 2021 meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) passed two rulings designed to enhance the conservation of diamondback terrapins, a small estuarine turtle.
As of March 1, 2022, no one can possess a diamondback terrapin without an FWC permit.
As of March 1, 2023, all recreational crab traps in Florida must have a 6×2” funnel opening, or a By-Catch Reduction Device to make the funnel opening 6×2”.
This article discusses the recreational crab trap ruling. We will discuss the What, Why, How, When, and Where of this ruling.
What…
The new ruling calls for all recreational crab traps in Florida waters to have a 6×2 inch funnel opening, or a By-Catch Reduction Device that creates a funnel opening of 6×2 inches, by March 1, 2023.
Why…
Diamondback terrapins are a species of special concern in the state. The diversity of sub-species is high, highest of any other state, but abundance is low. Research has shown that threats to terrapin populations include, loss of habitat and nesting beaches, nest depredation by wildlife, removal for the pet trade, and incidental drowning in crab traps. To help conserve this animal in our state the two rulings mentioned above were passed in 2021.
How…
By-catch Reduction Devices (BRDs) measuring 6×2” can be obtained from your local Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent. If you do not have a Sea Grant Extension Agent in your county extension office, they will direct you to the closest one. You will need to place the BRD on each of the funnel openings of your crab trap using zip ties. Your local Sea Grant Agent can show how to do this.
When…
All recreational crab traps used in Florida waters should have the 6×2 inch (or BRD in place) by March 1, 2023.
Where…
This is for Florida waters only.
If you have further questions concerning this ruling, please contact your local Sea Grant Agent at your local county extension office.
This orange plastic rectangle is a Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) used to keep terrapins out of crab traps – but not crabs.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
No one species has altered the land, sea, and sky – as well as decreased the overall biodiversity of the planet in such as short time as has Homo sapien. Since we have arrived on this planet we have slowly dispersed across all continents, oceans, and even the polar regions. In our wake we have changed the landscape. Altering forests and changing waterways. We have built communities and cities and, in recent years, increased the amount of waste we produce to impact the land, water, and even change the climate. Our planet has encountered major changes in climate and habitats before – but not at the rate it is currently happening, and many are not able to adapt fast enough. Wildlife over much of the planet has declined due to our activities – and barrier islands are not an exception.
Humans have found our barrier islands. Photo credit: Lydia Weaver
Humans first arrived in the Florida panhandle a little over 10,000 years ago. Most of them built communities along our riverways and deltas. As with much of coastal wildlife, barrier islands were difficult places to inhabit. There is little freshwater, selected game to hunt (though an abundance of seafood – which they did seek), intense heat in the summer and cold in the winter, and tropical storms – where there were few places to hide. It appears humans did visit the islands but did not settle there. The early European colonists tried, but unsuccessfully – they had to moved inland.
In the Pensacola Bay area, the first settlements that were successful were fortifications placed there by the U.S. Army to protect the communities where people lived. These were brick fortifications that held up well against the storms, all built with large cisterns to collect freshwater for the troops stationed there. Soldiers accessed them using ferries.
In the early 20th century locals from Pensacola built a casino at what is now Pensacola Beach. There were casinos, boxing, and food vendors for those who made the day trip by ferry to visit the location.
The famous “beach ball” of Pensacola Beach marks the spot where the old casino once stood.
Photo: Molly O’Connor
Much of this early human activity had little impact on the island wildlife. Humans were concentrated in specific locations and did not / could not venture very far from them. But when automobiles became more commonplace with people, bridges soon followed, and things did begin to change. More cars meant more people, and the need for roads. These roads bisected the dune system and altered how they naturally progressed with wind and waves. Not only did dune dynamics change but dunes began to disappear with the new homes and hotels that were built.
A coyote navigates the roads that are now on our islands.
Photo provided by Shelley Johnson.
Homes, cars, and roads made life for several island creatures tough. Most of the shorebirds using the islands as nesting areas lay their nests on the sand. The white/speckled eggs blend in well with the white sand and the warm sand helped incubate them. There were fewer predators on these beaches and so, protection of the chicks was achieved more by driving off any potential threat by “dive bombing” them. This did not work with humans, nor their cars. The roads became hazards for them, and small chicks were often hit by cars. Today some species are threatened and have been given federal protection.
A variety of shorebirds utilize the sand as a nesting area.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
In recent years beaches houses have become true homes, with lawns and gardens. This alters the natural landscape even more. Along with the altering of the dune systems, this impacted many dune creatures like the beach mice. The species on Perdido Key is now considered endangered, and also has federal protection.
Additional housing, development, and roads led to additional needs in lighting in the evening. Many barrier island creatures need “dark skies,” but notably are the nesting sea turtles. In recent years 50-60% of sea turtle nests on our islands have had adults and hatchlings “disorient” towards the artificial lighting instead of the moon/star light that reflects off of the Gulf. This, along with other human related impacts like structures left in the sand at night, have caused a decline in these turtles and they too are now federal protected.
Turtle friendly lighting.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
You could not mention impacts by the human presence without mentioning solid waste – marine debris. Modern humans produce a wide variety of plastic products which we bring to the beach, and some of it ends up in the environment. Sea turtles, shore birds, and even manatees have been found either entangled in it or having ingested it. Much of this marine debris is problematic for the wildlife there.
Boxes providing garbage bags and disposal.
Photo: Pensacola Beach Advocates
Recently there has been an increased issue of pet cats that are allowed to roam the island at night. These pets (some strays) are known for the impact they can have on small wildlife like birds.
We were lucky in Escambia County during the 1970s to have the National Park purchase about 50% of the island as a National Seashore. This has provided a space for the island creatures and a great nature/cultural tourism destination.
Much of the west end of Santa Rosa Island has remained natural due to the presence of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Photo: Molly O’Connor
No one moves to the beach with the intent of harming wildlife, but our sense of changing things when we arrive – which we have been doing for some time – does impact them. The answer to this problem is to learn how to live, and develop, with the wildlife on the islands. The islands play a crucial role in protecting the mainland from storms and providing habitat for several unique species. Many of these species are beneficial to our lives by playing an ecological role in maintaining the island. It can be done.
I hope you have learned something new in this nine-part series on barrier island wildlife. If you have, please let me know by emailing roc1@ufl.edu. I hope you get a chance to explore our islands and maybe see some of these neat creatures.
The definition of an invasive species used by the University of Florida IFAS has three parts.
It is not native to the area.
Was brought to the area by humans; either intentionally or accidentally.
Is causing an environmental or economic problem, or somehow lower the community’s quality of life.
Florida is famous for its invasive species problems. Actually, every state in the country is battling this issue. In 2005 the estimated economic cost of invasive species in the United States was $137 billion annually. Looking at the Invasive Species Curve (below) you can see the most effective method of managing is to prevent them from coming in the first place. Easier said than done. International travel and commerce by plane and boat enters Florida every day, who knows what these are bringing with them. There is the legal trade, illegal trade, and the accidental hitchhiker. Though there are efforts in each state trying to prevent invasive species from entering, they do enter. Once they have arrived, resource managers move into what we call Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) in hopes of eradicating the species but at the very least containing them. It is a constant battle.
The Invasive Species Curve
Though separated from the mainland, our barrier islands are not immune to this threat. Humans travel to and from our islands all year round; we live on many of them. With us comes non-native species we both intentionally and accidentally bring. Some of these become invasive and can threated the wildlife of our islands. The state is divided into 15 Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs). The western panhandle is under the Six Rivers CISMA, the eastern panhandle is under the Apalachicola Regional Steward Alliance (ARSA). Both CISMAs have developed a EDRR list for their area. As a member of the Six Rivers CISMA, I helped developed ours and below are the species considered the biggest threats to our island wildlife.
Florida CISMAs
Beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia)
Beach vitex is native to the Pacific coast of Asia and was intentionally brought to the United States as an ornamental/landscape plant. It does well in open sunny areas, dry soils, along the coast – perfect for barrier islands. In the 1980s it was used for dune restoration in the Carolinas and that is when its invasive nature was first seen. Like all invasive species, there are few predators and disease, and so reproductive success is high. The species multiples and spreads rapidly, basically uncontrolled. Beach vitex is allelopathic, meaning that it creates an environment that can kill nearby plants and thus take over that area; sea oats are one species this occurs with. Its impact on wildlife could include the loss of required habitat and food source. It appears to have already impacted sea turtle nesting in the Carolina’s, and that threat exist here as well. It could also impact the ecology of the listed beach mouse.
I was first made aware of the presence of this plant in the Pensacola area in 2013. It was discovered on the shoreline of a private property on the Gulf Breeze peninsula in Santa Rosa County. It was suspected to have come from nearby Santa Rosa Island. A survey of the Pensacola Beach area found 22 sites where the plant existed. One was quite large, covering about 70% of the property. The others were small individual plants. Some were part of a homeowner’s landscape; others were on public land. At the time, beach vitex was not listed as an invasive species in Florida. Today it is and has also been declared a state noxious weed. A database search indicates there are currently 118 records in the state of Florida found in six counties. Four of those counties are in the Florida panhandle and include Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Franklin. More in-depth surveys of the coastal areas, and islands, of the remaining counties in the panhandle may find more records of the plant. There are active projects in the Escambia/Santa Rosa area to manage it.
This yard on Pensacola Beach has become over run by vitex.
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)
Cogongrass is native to Central and South America. It was brought to the United States accidentally through the Port of Mobile. It quickly spread across the landscape covering much of south Alabama, northwest Florida, and Mississippi. It now can be found in most of Alabama, a large portion of Mississippi, much of Louisiana and Georgia, some of the Carolina’s, Tennessee, and Virginia, and in every county of Florida. It is not only listed as an invasive species in these states, but also as one of the nation’s worst noxious weeds. It quickly covers pastureland. Being serrated and having silica with the grass blades it is not palatable to livestock, you can lose good pastureland when this invades. In natural areas and private timberland, it quickly covers the understory where it burns too hot during prescribed burning efforts and creates a situation where the valuable management method cannot be used. It is not a good plant to have on your land.
In 2020 we were made aware the plant was growing on Perdido Key in Escambia County. We are not sure how it got there but most likely from landscaping equipment that was not cleaned after working an inland area where the plant was present – this is a common method of dispersing the plant. Currently there are 456 records along the coast of the Florida panhandle. 404 of these are on coastal beaches and 52 are on our barrier islands. 44 of the island records are on Santa Rosa/Okaloosa Island, 4 at St. Andrew’s State Park, 1 on Cape Sand Blas, and 1 on St. Vincent Island.
What impact this plant will have on barrier island wildlife is not fully understood. But we know that it has not been beneficial within inland habitats and the potential of having a negative impact is there. Locally we will begin to survey for exact locations on the islands in Escambia County in 2023 and begin a management plan for those, as well as education outreach to reduce potential sources.
Cogongrass shown here with seedheads – more typically seen in the spring. If you suspect you have cogongrass in or around your food plots please consult your UF/IFAS Extension Agent how control options.
Photo credit: Mark Mauldin
Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
This is a new invasive species to our area and, until recently, was only found within our state in the panhandle. There are now 19 records found in 7 counties across the state; 10 of the 19 records are in Escambia County. This is a freshwater species that prefers quiet backwaters with high levels of nutrients. In our county the plant is concentrated in the upper arms of Bayou Chico. Though an estuary, Bayou Chico has relatively lower salinities than most of our other bayous – the plant is doing well there. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) began management of this area a few years ago, but it is still there and seems to have spread to a nearby retention pond. The best guess as to method of dispersal were beavers seen moving back and forth between the water bodies. We plan to conduct surveys of other nearby retention ponds in 2023.
Though relatively new to Florida, it has had a large impact on the freshwater systems of Texas and Louisiana. I witnessed firsthand that impact at a lake near Shreveport LA where I was camping. This plant is a small one that floats on the surface of the water. It resembles duckweed but the leaves are larger. It had completely covered the surface of the lake and was kept out of the swimming area by using booms. There was no way to fish in the lake and moving through with a paddle craft would have been difficult. It is similar to water hyacinth covered waters. Though the swimming area was clear, the bottom had become “mucky”, and no one was swimming. All water recreation had stopped. The thick canopy covering the surface of the lake blocks sunlight so no submerged grasses can grow, the dead plant material decomposes and draws down the dissolved oxygen levels which could create fish kills.
Knowing this, FWC has a team focused on eradicating this plant from our state before such situations occur here. Though it will not reach our barrier islands by floating there (because of its dislike of salt water) if it DID reach any of the retention ponds near the homes, hotels, and condos, via landscaping equipment used on inland ponds, or some other method, it could be a real problem. And, as we have seen in Bayou Chico, wildlife could move it to the natural freshwater ponds on the island. We will begin surveys of all ponds on Perdido Key and Santa Rosa Island in 2023.
Giant Salvinia mats completely covering Bay County pond. This fast growing invasive can double in coverage every two weeks! Photo by L. Scott Jackson
The Brown Anole (Anolis sageri)
This small lizard from Cuba (also known as the Cuban anole) has been in Florida for some time. It most likely reached our shores accidentally by hitchhiking on a boat. With south Florida’s tropical climate, the lizard did quite well and began to disperse north.
I first encountered the creature on campus in Gainesville. Along west side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (The Swamp) are trees that are enclosed in wooden boxes – a sort “raised bed” look. When I looked in one of them there were numerous brown lizards scattering everywhere. I checked the next tree and found the same. I found the same in each of the tree boxes along that road. I then began to see them at the rest stops on I-10 between Pensacola and Gainesville. You would step out of the car and as you walked you would see numerous small brown lizards scattering everywhere. The same ones as in Gainesville – the brown anole. I then received a call from a resident on Innerarity Point Road near Perdido Key. She wanted to know what type of lizard she was now seeing in her yard. They were small, brown, had white spots (diamond-like patterns) on their backs and were EVERYWHERE. I asked for a photo, and eventually made a site visit, they were the brown anole. I then began to receive calls from other residents near Perdido Key, then from Gulf Breeze, then from the East Hill area of Pensacola. All the same. The brown anole had made it to Pensacola. Interestingly, when I was speaking to a garden club about invasive species, and was discussing this one, residents from the north end of the county had no idea what I was talking about. They had never seen them. They apparently were invading near the coast. Between 2018-2021 I was conducting a cottonmouth survey on Perdido Key for a Homeowners Association who was encountering a lot of them. At first the brown anoles were not there. Then, during the second year of surveying, I began to see them. The brown anole had reached the barrier island.
It is believed that the mode of dispersal is the same as how they reached Florida in the first place – hitchhiking. Most likely on landscape plants that were grown in south Florida, transported up here, and delivered to you. It is not quite clear how they may impact barrier island wildlife. We know where they show up the native green anole (Anolis carolinensis) begins to decline. Some studies show that the green anoles move higher up in the trees and shrubs where needed resources are limited, and the population will most likely not survive. I have watched green and brown anoles battle it out on my front porch (yes – I have brown anoles in my yard also). I have seen green anoles win these battles – but they seem to have lost the war. I seldom find them anymore. What changes may happen to wildlife on the barrier islands we will learn with time. Though I have not personally seen one on Santa Rosa Island, I am sure they are there – and probably on your barrier island also.
Cuban Anole. Photo credit: Dr. Steve A. Johnson, University of Florida
Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)
As with the brown anole, it is believed the Cuban treefrog reached our state hitchhiking on a boat. They too have been in the state for quite some time. But records in the Florida panhandle were non-existent. It was believed that the winters here too cold for them. But that appears to be changing.
I have had occasional calls about this frog over the last few years. In each case it was a single individual, hanging on their windows and glass doors, shortly after the homeowner had purchased new plants for landscaping. As with the brown anole, we believe this is a common method for spreading them. But as we mentioned, there was not much concern because our cold winters would keep this invasion at bay. Then there was a report of several Cuban treefrogs at a location on Tyndall AFB in Panama City. They appeared to be breeding and also appeared that they had overwintered. Dr. Steve Johnson (of the University of Florida) later confirmed this to be the first recorded breeding group in the panhandle. And the “love had begun to spread”. More accounts were being reported in the western panhandle. One community in Santa Rosa County found over 100 over the course of a year. Again, we think they are spreading with landscaping plants, or hitchhiking by other methods.
The issue with the animal is similar to that of the brown anole. It is much larger than our native treefrogs and likes to devour them. They are large enough to eat small native lizards and snakes as well. They produce a mild toxin in their skin that can irritate your eyes, nose, and even trigger asthmatic attacks. They have been found in toilets and are known to even plug the plumbing. They have also been found in electrical power boxes and have caused power outages. Overall, they are pain to deal with.
There are currently 28 records in the Florida panhandle. Though some have been found along the coast of our estuaries, there have been no reports on our barrier islands. Maybe we can educate the public on the hitchhiking issue and possibly keep them off the islands. We will be initiating a citizen science effort to monitor their locations on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key beginning in 2023.
Cuban Treefrog.
Photo by: Dr. Steve Johnson
Invasive species, by definition, are a problem for barrier island wildlife. But another problem they are facing is the increase in humans. That will be the topic in part 9.
