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Glue traps (also known as glue boards) are plastic or metal boards covered with glue that are used to catch rodents, not kill them. Animals step on the glue and their limbs, faces or bodies become stuck to the board, preventing them from escaping.  

Glue traps do not address the root cause of rodent issues and cause serious harms to rodents and other animals, like birds, that may become trapped.

A poll* conducted on behalf of the BC SPCA found that more B.C. residents consider glue traps to be cruel and dangerous than believe them to be effective and necessary.  

* Stratcom poll conducted for the BC SPCA May 23rd– 28th, 2024 n=1,002 BC residents, +/- 3.1 %, 19 times out of 20 

Here are 5 reasons to stop using glue traps for mouse and rat control: 

Glue traps don’t kill rodents instantly

Glue traps are not designed to kill, which means animals caught in glue traps often suffer a slow and painful death. Trapped animals are often unable to move and suffer for days until they die from dehydration, starvation or exhaustion, or may attempt to free themselves by chewing off the stuck limb.

In some cases, in their frantic attempt to free themselves from the glue, their noses and faces become stuck, and they die from suffocation.

Glue traps are dangerous to birds and other animals

Even though glue traps are marketed exclusively for rodents, non-target species such as small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and even companion animals have been found stuck on them.

Glue traps are usually placed on the ground in areas where rodents have access. Unsuspecting non-target animals who also have access to these areas can find themselves stuck or with the glue trap attached to their fur, feathers, or limbs. When wings, snouts or bodies are stuck on a glue trap, the chances of survival are slim.

Even if a larger animal can move away, a glue trap stuck to fur, skin or feathers will often result in injury or prevent normal activity like foraging for food.

Glue traps can be hazardous to human health

Health risks associated with exposure to rodent urine and feces can also be a concern for glue trap users. The risk of disease spread through the urine and feces of trapped animals can greatly increase for humans who come in contact with them.

Mice and rats caught on glue traps are typically found alive, panicked and struggling to free themselves. This may increase the risk of being bitten for the person handling and disposing of the trap causing additional health concerns.

Glue traps are not effective

Like other temporary fixes, glue traps do not address the root cause of rodent problems. If you have unwanted mice or rats at home, use our rodent-proofing guide and checklist (PDF) for effective prevention and exclusion tips.

To eliminate the risk of rodents entering your home, you must ensure food is properly stored, avoid leaving pet food and bird feed lying around, identify entry points (i.e. holes in the building) and maintain your property.

If you already have an infestation, it’s recommended that you find a rodent-control company that uses animal-friendly methods and can help you find a long-term solution that will deal with the issue for good!

There are effective and humane alternatives to glue traps

Dealing with unwanted mice and rats on your property can be distressing. But before choosing glue traps for rodent control, it’s worth asking: are there more effective methods for dealing with unwanted mice and rats that don’t cause unnecessary suffering to animals? Yes, there are! And should glue traps be used for rodent control? The answer is no!

Effective alternatives to glue traps include:

• Removing food attractants such as bird feeders, unsecured garbage and pet food
• Rodent-proofing your home with interior and exterior repairs to holes and other access points
• Using snap traps or captive bolt traps (which are designed to kill rodents instantly) if lethal control is necessary for health and safety reasons
• Maintaining your yard and landscaping to prevent ‘rodent-highways’ towards your home. Clear all brush and foliage at least a person’s width away from your home and don’t let things pile up in your yard or next to buildings – declutter, declutter, declutter!
• Creating a regular ‘rodent-check’ schedule to check your home for attractants and necessary repairs to prevent rodents from gaining access — the trick to preventing rodent problems is regular maintenance!

Remember that finding a long-term solution is the only way to successfully deal with unwanted rodents on your property. Working with a professional company that uses animal-friendly methods and focuses on prevention is the key to success.

What is the BC SPCA doing to prevent the use of glue traps also known as glue boards?

The BC SPCA has information on how to use alternatives to glue traps for rodent control and how to request that any wildlife control professional you hire uses only animal-friendly methods.

The BC SPCA and caring British Columbians are not alone in their concerns about glue traps. Local government officials will be voting on a resolution asking the provincial government to ban the sale, purchase and use of glue traps at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention in September 2024. The BC SPCA helped draft the resolution, which was sponsored by the District of Saanich and the Town of View Royal.

Need help?

• Find a wildlife and rodent control company
• Rodent-proofing guide & checklist: Questions to ask before hiring a rodent control company (PDF, see page 2)
• How to choose a snap trap (when lethal control is necessary)
• Dealing with rodent problems the poison-free way
• Rodent-proofing your home in 4 simple steps