Glue trap

A glue trap (also known as sticky trap, adhesive trap, or glue board) is a flat panel or enclosed structure, often baited, that ensnare insects, birds, or other animals with a non-drying adhesive substance. Trapped animals become unable to move, dying a prolonged death by starvation, dehydration, or suffocation. Glue traps are widely used in agricultural and indoor pest monitoring, but criticized as inhumane and indiscriminate, trapping a range of animals in addition to the target species. They are banned or partially banned in England, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Norway, and in individual municipalities in the United States.

Description

Glue traps are flat panels or enclosed structures, often baited, that are used to ensnare insects, birds, or other animals with a non-drying adhesive substance. The goal is to prevent the animal from moving, unlike traps that kill directly using poison, spring-loaded bars, or electricity. The trapped animal becomes further ensnared as it tries to free itself, and, unable to move typically die of starvation, dehydration, or suffocation. Baitless glue traps are nicknamed "blunder" traps, as insects or animals might accidentally stumble into them.[1] Baited shelter traps such as "Roach Motels", which take advantage of an insect's tendencies to seek shelter in loose bark, crevices, or other sheltered places, often have adhesive material inside to trap insects.[2]

Though not the first instance of Glue traps are widely used in agricultural and indoor pest monitoring.[3][4]

Criticism and legality

Glue trap placed outside, with a variety of insects ensnared
A bird taken to a wildlife rehabber after its feathers were damaged by glue trap

Animal welfare and public health advocates regard glue traps as both indiscriminate and inhumane.[5]

The traps are typically deployed to catch one kind of insect or animal, such as cockroaches, spotted lanternflies, or rats, but ensnare a wide range of other insects and animals, including native and beneficial wildlife like birds, bats, hedgehogs, chipmunks, foxes, lizards, rabbits, and squirrels.[6][7] Traps placed on trees to catch lanternflies, for example, easily trap birds or pull off their feathers or skin.[5][8]

The ensnared animals die a prolonged death, sometimes chewing off their own limbs to try to escape.[7]

Glue traps can also be harmful to humans due to the panicked activity of trapped animals. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, trapped rodents urinate when they get scared, which can spread diseases like hantavirus.[9][10] The time it takes to die also means a build-up of waste.[5]

Many retailers have stopped selling the traps, including Target, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Wellness Forever.[11][12]

Several countries ban or restrict use of the traps. In England, they are illegal to use without a license, although selling them in shops remains legal.[7] Iceland bans glue traps as part of its animal welfare law, prohibiting "methods which cause unnecessary entrapment or pain".[13] Scotland permits use for insect control, but bans all other uses.[14] They are also banned in Ireland, New Zealand, and Norway.[15] In India, restrictions have been placed by 32 states and union territories.[12] In the United States, there have been national, state, and local laws proposed or enacted to prohibit use of glue traps. At the national level, Representative Ted Lieu of California introduced the Glue Trap Prohibition Act of 2024 (HR 7018).[16] A similar law was proposed in New York the same year.[10][17] New Hampshire considered a ban, House Bill 152, in 2025.[11] West Hollywood, California and Ojai, California banned use of glue traps in 2023 and 2024, respectively.[18][19][20]

References

  1. ^ Harmon, James D. (1993). Integrated Pest Management in Museum, Library, and Archival Facilities. Harmon Preservation Pest Management. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-9638161-0-8. They have earned the nickname "blunder traps" because the insects blunder into them and get stuck. Blunder traps are good for monitoring ingress of crawling pests into a room or building.
  2. ^ Robert Arnold Wardle, Philip Buckle (1929). The Principles of Insect Control. Manchester University Press. p. 212.
  3. ^ Nancy D. Epsky; Wendell L. Morrill; Richard W. Mankin (2008). "Traps for Capturing Insects" (PDF). In Capinera, John L. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Entomology. Dordrecht: Springer. pp. 3887–3901. ISBN 978-1-4020-6242-1.
  4. ^ "What is a sticky trap?". Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c "NYC lawmakers push to ban glue traps, pest control debate". www.amny.com. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  6. ^ "Ojai becomes 2nd U.S. city to ban 'horrible, indiscriminate killing devices': glue traps". Los Angeles Times. 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  7. ^ a b c "Investigation finds shops tell customers how to illegally use glue traps". The Independent. 2025-08-03. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  8. ^ "Meant to Catch Spotted Lanternflies, Glue Traps Are a Horrifying Hazard for Birds | Audubon". www.audubon.org. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  9. ^ CDC (2024-04-18). "How to Trap Up to Remove Rodents". Healthy Pets, Healthy People. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  10. ^ a b "Are Glue Traps Too Cruel to Use in the Fight Against Mice and Rats? (Published 2024)". 2024-03-28. Archived from the original on 2025-10-18. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  11. ^ a b Sullivan, Claire (2025-02-28). "Glue traps called '19th-century solution' as lawmakers push for NH to become first state to ban them • New Hampshire Bulletin". New Hampshire Bulletin. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  12. ^ a b "Mumbai: Wellness Forever Stops the Sale of Cruel Glue Traps After Activists Write to Authorities". The Times of India. 2025-11-04. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  13. ^ "Glue Traps And Bucket Traps For Mice Banned In Iceland". The Reykjavik Grapevine. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  14. ^ "Robin found dead in illegal glue trap in Fort William". www.bbc.com. 2025-12-05. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  15. ^ "Here's why rodent glue trap sales could be banned in the U.S." Animals. 2026-01-19. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  16. ^ "H.R.7018 - Glue Trap Prohibition Act of 2024". United States Congress.
  17. ^ N; P; R (2024-04-02). "New York considers banning glue traps used to catch mice and rats". NPR. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  18. ^ "Ojai becomes 2nd U.S. city to ban 'horrible, indiscriminate killing devices': glue traps". Los Angeles Times. 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  19. ^ "West Hollywood is first American city to ban rodent glue traps". Los Angeles Times. 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  20. ^ "WeHo bans glue traps for rodent control - CBS Los Angeles". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
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