Help - toad screaming in the sofa! AIBU to call DH to come home?

[Aquablu]

I know this sounds dramatic, but AIBU? I have a phobia of frogs and toads. I can and have dealt with the odd stray mouse but amphibians - no.

On Friday, I was on the house in my own and I heard what I thought was the kitchen back door creaking on its hinges, but it was a weird noise. I went in there, only to find a massive toad in the middle of the floor. I just froze - I can't even bring myself to look the things! It was making this unearthly squeaking noise and the cat seemed scared of it.

I was late for a wax appt, so I just went and shut it in the kitchen, leaving the back door open and put the cat in the front part of the house so he couldn't get to it.

I also thought I heard a kind of croaking like an echo coming from the living room, but I had to go.

When I came back the thing had gone thank god. There is nowhere it can hide in the kitchen. The dishwasher and cupboards were shut, so it must have hopped outside. DD's Nintendo DS sometimes makes weird noises, so I thought the other noise in the living room must have been that vibrating or some kind of alarm.

We've been away for the weekend, but today, to my horror, there is the same screaming sound coming from the sofa in the living room! There must be a toad in there that was calling to the one on Friday in the way they do across ponds. I can't bring myself to pull the cushions off in case it jumps! It could have been lying flat for god knows how long.

AIBU to call DH to come back from work asap to get the toad out? He's meant to be going to the airport at 4pm, then he's away until Fri. I can't live like this until then! AIBU or is that too ridiculous? I can't ask the neighbours.

[Aquablu]

Got hold of DH and he will get an Uber in 15 mins. Thank god. He's sounding very rushed, but feels bad for me today as I also have an eye infection and am trying not to face the general public

[Reastie]

Poor you. I had a pigeon come down the fireplace last year and was trapped in the playroom. I am scared of birds indoors and had to get my neighbour to help me as I was too scared!

If it were me I'd call dh home if I couldn't ask neighbours and didn't have anyone locally who could help. Failing that there must be someone you could call out that would be willing to help. In my head the song ghost busters is playing with 'who you gonna call? Toadbusters' ;) . But seriously, some kind of workman/odd job man/handy man if you were willing to just get the road gone and were desperate.

[Reastie]

Toad not road obv

[justwhiisitwhosvotingtory]

I like frogs. But am terrified of spiders so I can feel your pain. I'm also about 15 miles from Heathrow but more south east of it if that helps?

[Reastie]

Posted with op, that's great news, he just needs the green flashing light to get through traffic to show he's on a toad related clean up mission

[Viserion]

I think I am the wrong side of Heathrow or I would happily come and help. We are about 20 miles west.

[MrTumblesbitch]

Glad your dh is going to rescue you.

I love that in the midst of your emergency people are admiring your decor and want to know where you got things from! please tell us, your sofa is gorgeous

[guiltynetter]

this probably sounds odd but how did they get in?! do you live near a pond? i can't imagine how they'd get in your house!

[thereallochnessmonster]

Of course toads have bones!! They're amphibians. And they cannot live for 6 months without water -the can dry up and die very quickly if they can't reach water.

I have no idea how the silly toad managed to get into your house but could you please either ring a friend to rescue it, or pull all the cushions off the couch and try to find this toad?

I doubt it would have managed to get inside the radiator.....

Also, toads do not jump. They crawl.

[Kenworthington]

Oh god op this is literally my biggest phobia and fear in the world. Nohelp im afraid just argghhhh for you omg

[Clandestino]

Kiss it before the DH comes in. If it's the proper sort of a toad, ask for his bank account. You might be in luck.

[thereallochnessmonster]

I heard a frog scream, is that normal?

Quick answer
Yes, frogs can make a high pitched noise when attacked.

(www.froglife.org/info-advice/frogs-and-toads-behaviour/)

Glad your dh is on his way home - hope he rescues the toad.

[DramaAlpaca]

Oh poor you OP! Mice, birds and spiders I can deal with no bother, but frogs and toads - no way. The noise they make is awful. On the occasion my cat has brought one in I'm a complete wreck.

[minisoksmakehardwork]

Oh it's a shame you don't get on with your neighbours. I've retrieved frogs from our neighbour's hall as they really, really can't do it themselves.

[Aquablu]

Thankyou for being so kind.

The sofa was from Distinctive Chesterfields in Wandsworth. They have all types in all colours and I'm sure they have a website. To the PP wondering, the paint was from Fired Earth but I can't remember the shade I'm sorry.

I'm worried it's got into the structure of the sofa or the radiatior. It could have been there weeks and we've been sitting in it!

[Radishal]

Glad your OH will be there soon. Hope your eye gets better too.
Please update us later.

[Maudlinmaud]

When I bought my first house, I thought the neighbours hated me as I kept finding shrivelled up frogs all over the place. Then I saw them merrily hopping in of their own accord..I hope toad can be rescued.

[SnakesandKnives]

And please get photos :)

[justkeepswimmingg]

I'd be petrified too OP. My DH works a good hour or so away from home, so I'd probably lock myself and DS upstairs until he got home . Glad your DH is coming to your rescue!

[artycakemaker]

Sofa really IS lovely.

I hope you and the poor toad are happily relieved soon!! Good luck.

(I love frogs and toads..... but would be in exactly your position with a spider... shudder).

[Clandestino]

Apparently toads can squeeze through tight places but I hope this one will avoid your furniture and radiators. Hope everything ends well for you and the poor little amphibian.

P.S. Kiss it!

[Funnyonion17]

I had to LOL at this. However I would be petrified too.

I'd ring anyone and everyone to get it out tbh.

[insancerre]

Hope he gets there soon
Dh stood on a frog in our garage a couple of weeks ago
I'm still too scared to go in there now
Even for ice for my gin and tonic

[Aquablu]

There is an over 50s home with a pond nearby and I think the cat must be dragging them over from there, which is quite a feat as there would be 2 fences to get over. Once there was one under our barbecue so maybe they're in our garden ? The one on Fri was the size of my hand, but I literally can't even do more than glance at them.

[bruffian]

this is almost literally my worst nightmare

you have every last bit of my sympathy

my cat used to bring them in to my bedroom when I was little

they scream like a frightened child

they are horrible horrible things

I can do spiders, rats, mice, blood anything except frogs and toads