Sticky glue traps are not pest control—they are tools of torture that inflict horrific pain and suffering on animals, many of whom were never even intended as their targets. These traps, which are readily available in stores and online, are indiscriminate in their cruelty, ensnaring any creature that comes into contact with their adhesive surface. From native birds and reptiles to small marsupials and even pets, these traps leave devastation in their wake, and it’s time to call them out for what they are: a barbaric method of pest control that has no place in a compassionate society.

Unimaginable Suffering

Imagine being stuck, your body pressed against a sticky surface that clings to your skin, fur, feathers, or scales. Every attempt to break free only pulls and tears at your flesh. Birds lose feathers and injure fragile wings. Lizards twist and break their tails. Possums, frogs, and small mammals injure themselves in desperation, often ripping off skin, dislocating limbs, or even gnawing off their own legs in a futile bid for freedom.

Animals caught in glue traps don’t die quickly. Instead, they endure prolonged agony, starving, dehydrating, and succumbing to infections. The injuries caused by these traps are often so severe that even when an animal is discovered alive, euthanasia is the most humane option. This isn’t pest control; it’s slow, merciless torture.

Not Just "Pests"

While these traps are marketed for rodent control, they are indiscriminate in what they catch. Reports from wildlife carers and veterinarians frequently highlight the devastating toll these traps take on non-target species:

Native birds like honeyeaters, wrens, and parrots, who are vital for pollination and pest control, often fall victim while scavenging for food.
Reptiles such as geckos and skinks are commonly found stuck, struggling hopelessly.
Even small marsupials like possums and gliders have been discovered on glue traps, their fur stripped and their bodies broken.

These traps don’t just harm individual animals; they have ripple effects that destabilise local ecosystems, killing species that play crucial roles in pest control, seed dispersal, and maintaining biodiversity.

Carelessness Amplifies Cruelty

To make matters worse, many glue traps are simply discarded with live animals still attached. Some are thrown into bins or dumpsters, where the trapped creatures are left to die slow, agonizing deaths. Others are left out for days, leaving animals to bake in the sun, drown in rain, or succumb to predators while utterly defenseless. This level of negligence is beyond cruel—it’s inhumane and unacceptable.

A Needless and Outdated Practice

There is no excuse for the continued use of sticky glue traps. Humane pest control methods exist—methods that can effectively manage rodents without inflicting unspeakable pain and killing unintended wildlife. These alternatives include live-capture traps, exclusion methods, and integrated pest management strategies, all of which focus on addressing the root causes of pest infestations without causing suffering.

Glue traps, on the other hand, are a relic of lazy and careless pest control. Their availability on store shelves perpetuates ignorance about their cruelty, and their use reinforces the idea that convenience trumps compassion.

The Call for Change

It’s time to act. Sticky glue traps should be banned outright, just as they have been in other parts of the world. Governments need to implement legislative bans on the sale and use of these traps, and retailers must take responsibility by removing them from their shelves. Public education campaigns are critical to raising awareness about the suffering these traps cause and to encouraging humane alternatives.

If you are as outraged as we are, here’s what you can do:

Write to your local council and state representatives to demand a ban on glue traps.
Contact retailers and ask them to stop selling these cruel products. Bunnings are the biggest seller of this babaric product.
Raise awareness in your community by sharing stories of the suffering caused by glue traps.
Support wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organisations that are left to pick up the pieces of this unnecessary cruelty.

The Time for Compassion is Now

Animals, whether native wildlife or not, deserve better than to suffer in silence on sticky glue traps. These devices are nothing short of torture tools that have no place in modern society. Every bird, reptile, or marsupial trapped on a glue board is a reminder of our failure to act with compassion and responsibility.

Let’s end the silent epidemic of suffering caused by glue traps. Let’s fight for a future where coexistence with wildlife is achieved through respect, compassion, and humane solutions. Let’s say no to cruelty and yes to a kinder world.

Wildlife deserves better. Let’s make it happen.

How can you help an animal stuck in a trap

If you find an animal stuck on a sticky glue trap, it’s crucial to act quickly and with care to minimize the suffering. Do not attempt to pull the animal off the trap, as this can cause further injury. Instead, gently cover the animal to keep it calm and warm, and immediately contact a wildlife rescue organization or veterinarian for assistance. If no immediate help is available and you need to intervene, use a safe, non-toxic oil like vegetable oil to carefully loosen the glue. Apply the oil to the trap around the stuck areas—not directly on the animal—and gently work to free them. Once the animal is free, clean off any remaining oil with warm, damp cloths, and ensure they are placed in a safe, secure environment until professional care can be sought. Always remember that handling wild animals can be stressful for them, so limit interaction as much as possible and prioritise getting expert help.

In managing pest populations, it's easy to focus on the inconvenience they cause—but we must remember that these are still living, breathing beings that play roles in the ecosystem. Sticky tape traps, commonly used for flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches, as well as mice and rats, have gained popularity for their simplicity. However, these traps can cause immense suffering, often leaving animals stuck for hours or days in pain and fear.

Sticky Tape and Humane Pest Control: Ethical Solutions for Mice, Rats, and More

In managing pest populations, it's easy to focus on the inconvenience they cause—but we must remember that these are still living, breathing beings that play roles in the ecosystem. Sticky tape traps, commonly used for flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches, as well as mice and rats, have gained popularity for their simplicity. However, these traps can cause immense suffering, often leaving animals stuck for hours or days in pain and fear. Imagine being caught on one of these traps, struggling to escape, only to have your skin ripped off while your fur remains stuck, and even your tiny toes left behind.

Ethical pest control is not just about effectiveness; it’s about finding ways to manage pests without inflicting undue harm. There are far more humane alternatives to sticky tape traps:

Live Traps: These offer a way to safely capture and relocate rodents and other pests, ensuring they are unharmed.
Exclusion Methods: Prevention is key. By sealing entry points, removing food sources, and making spaces less attractive to pests, infestations can be minimized.
Natural Deterrents: Using essential oils like peppermint or lavender can repel pests without harming them.
Ultrasonic Repellers: High-frequency sound waves deter rodents, creating an unwelcoming environment without causing harm.

For larger pests like mice and rats, humane solutions go a long way in managing populations ethically. Live traps allow for relocation, while exclusion and deterrents create barriers to prevent them from entering living spaces.

While we may not want certain pests around, we have a responsibility to treat them with compassion. Cruel and painful methods do not align with our values, and the pursuit of humane solutions reflects care not only for wildlife but for our shared planet. Together, we can make pest control a practice of responsibility and kindness.

The Unseen Suffering: Why Sticky Glue Traps Must Be Banned