Research on Glueboards
Evaluation of the Humaneness of Rodent Capture Using Glue Traps, Prepared for the Canadian Association of Humane Trapping, 31 July 2013 Author: Nicole Fenwick, M.SC., December 9th, 2014
"Summary
"Glue traps are used for rodent pest control, particularly when chemical control methods (e.g. rodenticides) are undesirable, but their humaneness is questioned. Few scientific studies report on the effects that glue trapping has on rodents due to the ethical concerns of conducting harmful animal research. However, these findings show that rodents struggle to escape and become fully entangled in the glue, with feet, body and head eventually becoming stuck. Other data shows that a large proportion of glue-trapped rodents remain alive for at least 24 hours after capture. In evaluations of vertebrate pest control, methods that are considered the most humane generally cause the least amount and shortest duration of pain and distress. Therefore, the available evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that the use of glue traps for rodent pest control does not meet established standards for either humane restraint or humane killing."
See full text:
http://www.caht.ca/evaluation-of-the-humaneness-of-rodent-capture-using-glue-traps/
New Zealand Outlawing Glueboards
New Zealand has prohibited use of glueboard traps by the general public to trap rodents and phased out most other uses. As of January 2010, only a limited set of pest control operators, Department of Conservation contractors or employees, and boat operators transporting persons or goods in close proximity to islands free of mammalian pests were allowed to continue using such devices. And as of January 1, 2015 there were further restrictions, with glueboards only permitted to be used to trap rodents by approval of the Minister, with restrictive conditions controlling type, purpose, duration and monitoring. Read more to see extracts of the original Order....
Limiting Use of Glueboards in the U.S.
- In the U.S., Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Safeway, Dollar Tree, and Albertsons have all agreed to stop selling glueboards, and PETA has been working to encourage Lowes to do the same.
- NYPD wins PETA award for switching from glue mouse traps to spring ones
- The Empty Cages Collective has attempted to ban glue pans at Columbia University
Irish prohibition on glue traps
According to the Wildlife (Amendment) Act of 2000., the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands has authority to define allowable traps. Glue traps were not among those subsequently allowed according to the WILDLIFE ACT 1976 (APPROVED TRAPS, SNARES AND NETS) REGULATIONS 2003.
See more below re: a subsequent press release regarding enforcement
Glueboard Ban, State of Victoria, Australia
Regulation 53 of the State of Victoria, Australia's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations provides that:
A person must not set or use a glue trap unless –
(a) the person is a commercial pest control operator; and
(b) the person sets or uses the trap for the purposes of trapping rodents; and
(c) the person has been approved by the Minister to set or use the trap; and
(d) the person sets or uses the trap in accordance with any determination by the Minister as to –
(i) the period of time during which setting or using a glue trap is permitted; and
(ii) any other conditions of setting or using a glue trap that the Minister considers appropriate.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_reg/poctar2008469/s53.html
Glueboard ban, India
2020: Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) reiterates its call for glue board ban
In December, 2020 the AWBI referenced its 2011 advisory and stated that "it has come to the knowldedge of the AWBI that the Glue traps are still widely manufactured and sold across india." Descrbing their use as "a cruel reoccurring practice... which is in direct violation of section 11(1) of PCA Act, 1960" the AWBI asked all Chief Secretaries of State of Union Territory Governments "to issue appropriate directions to prohibit the manufacture, sale and use of Glue traps. The Director-General of Foreign Trade is requested to issue strict apropriate directions to impose the ban on the import of glue traps. The Indian Pest COntrol Association may also issue appropriate advisories to its members."
It concluded by noting: "This may be treated as MOST URGENT."
Earlier, in 2011, according to FIAPO:
"Animal Welfare Board of India Declares Glue Boards Violate Anti-Cruelty Law"
"The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), in collaboration with UK charity ACTAsia for Animals, has achieved another victory for animals, this time for the poor creatures that suffer and die in inhumane glue traps."
"In response to a petition by FIAPO, Major General Dr. R.M Kharb, Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), has issued an advisory stating that the use of glue traps causes unnecessary pain and suffering and hence is in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. It also asks the Chief Secretaries of state governments and the Director General of Foreign Trade to prohibit sale, manufacture, use and import of glue traps.
"Glue traps, also known as glue boards or sticky traps, are a type of non-lethal or restraining rodent trap used mostly to trap rats and mice. The animals are caught in the trap by their feet or fur and these attached animals are thrown away still stuck to the trap, and cannot escape. They endure a prolonged period of terror, pain and distress before death. Their desperate efforts to escape from the trap result in torn skin and broken legs while some even try to bite through their limbs in an attempt to get away. Birds and other animals can also end up in these traps and then suffer
a similar fate.
"The use of glue traps for controlling rats and rodents is in contravention of the provisions contained in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960"; said Dr Kharb.
"Our campaign is now under way to get the sale, manufacture and import of glue traps banned as well to get a total ban on these inhumane traps, and we need your help to do so.
"For further details please visit www.fiapo.org <http://www.fiapo.org/>... to view the different ways in which you can help us to get a ban in your state or local area and to donate to the campaign.
"Information:
"AWBI is a statutory body of the Government of India
(GoI) established in 1962 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. It has been constituted to promote animal welfare in general and for protecting animals from being subjected to unnecessary pain and suffering.
At present, AWBI works under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI.
"FIAPO is India's umbrella animal welfare body concerned with the protection and welfare of all animals, with hundreds of members and colleagues across the country."
