Australian scientists have claimed controversial gene manipulation could be the answer to wiping out one of the country’s major pests, the cane toad, for good.

CSIRO researchers said there may be no need for cricket bats or Dettol sprays anymore with the method having the potential to at least control the spread of the creatures throughout the country, The Courier Mail reports.

With current methods failing to make much of a difference CSIRO research director Dr Andrew Sheppard said it could be time to try something else with gene manipulation an ideal option.

Speaking with the federal parliament’s environment and energy committee this week, Sheppard explained the technology could see the population of cane toads effectively turned male.