When I was a kid American toads were everywhere in southeastern Oklahoma, but no more. Sadly, a recent visit (July 2013), turned up two toads; two. And I only found those after multiple nights searching. The reason? Spray. Everybody sprays everything. They spray to keep bugs out of the house. They spray to keep bugs out of the flowers. They spray to keep bugs out of the lawn. They spray the fruit trees. And we spray ourselves to keep bugs off us. Toads eat bugs. Poisoned bugs poison toads. The toads die. It does not look good for toads, at least around humans. However all is not lost! If you can keep the use of spray at a minimum you can have toads! Provide them with habitat and you will have toads! Habitat? Spread a couple of inches of mulch, then cover with a board laid across two supports such as bricks or limbs. Now you have a toad house. Then build a small pond nearby. The toads will come to you! They will eat the bugs. Everyone wins!