Renewed calls to ban controversial garden product: 'Should be prohibited'
Sticky traps have been branded 'evil' and while some retailers has made major changes, more can be done according to the RSPCA.
Calls have been renewed to ban a backyard product sold at hardware stores and online retailers used for catching pests after a recent spate of native wildlife were injured by the products.
Online, glue traps are seen being sold by retailers including Kogan, Amazon, Temu and Dick Smith. While retail giant Bunnings confirmed to Yahoo its phase-out of stand-alone insect sticky trap refill packs, it continues to sell sticky traps that are designed with a cage to prevent incidents with other wildlife.
RSPCA Queensland told Yahoo that action by retailers is "insufficient" in preventing the widespread use and animal suffering. "Glue traps are essentially adhesive traps (or boards) so when an animal walks across them, they get stuck and are unable to free themselves," RSPCA Qld spokesperson Emma Lagoon told Yahoo News Australia.
"Although some retail chains have ceased stocking these products, this is insufficient to prevent widespread use and therefore animals suffering," she said. "Unfortunately, glue traps are still readily available in most states in a range of stores and online."
Despite RSPCA's repeated warnings, Bunnings is adamant its changes are in line with government requirements. "We understand there are a range of views on sticky insect traps, and we work closely with our suppliers and regulatory bodies in reviewing our product range," Bunnings General Manager of Merchandising, Adam Cole told Yahoo.
"Following the phase-out of outdoor ‘naked’ insect sticky traps, we only sell outdoor insect sticky traps which come with a cage with small openings designed to catch only insects."
Why are glue traps so dangerous to wildlife?
According to Lagoon, the RSPCA continues to see small birds as well as smaller creatures like snakes and lizards continuing to get stuck on the adhesive traps and are unable to free themselves.
"On average, we can see around 20 cases of wildlife being trapped on glue traps that we see just through our Wildlife Hospital in Brisbane alone," she said. "These smaller species become stuck and require anaesthesia and removal of the adhesive using a range of products. Some will require multiple treatments to remove the adhesive.
"If the animals aren't professionally removed from these traps promptly and treated for any injuries, they essentially die a slow and painful death from dehydration or starvation."
Recently, RSPCA saw two cases where a kookaburra was stuck in a glue trap along with multiple dead skinks on the same trap. In another instance, a blue tongue lizard stuck on a glue trap. It's not clear where the glue trap items were purchased, but it's understood they were intended to capture rodents.
"Both patients were thankfully able to be treated and removed from the traps. The Kookaburra has been released back into the wild and the lizard will be making its way back out into the wild very soon," she said.
Regardless of whether they are native species or pests, it's RSPCA's view that the traps in any form are unnecessarily cruel due to the unacceptable levels of pain and suffering they cause to animals.
"An animal’s feet are generally stuck first to glue traps, but as escape attempts are made, other parts of their body also become stuck which may result in bone fractures, skin tears, bruising, with some animals chewing limbs off to escape," said Lagoon.
"This causes severe pain, fear, stress and anxiety which can be prolonged. Stress can also cause animals to defecate and urinate which contributes to further distress. A review of the use of glue traps for controlling rats reported that the welfare impacts were prolonged (for hours) and considered extreme."
RSPCA advises that to prevent pests like rodents, "it is essential to ensure that they are unable to access buildings and food," Lagoon said.
What are the rules around the use of glue traps?
Glue trap rules vary across Australia — with the ACT the only territory or state to prohibit their use entirely. In Victoria and Tasmania, they are only available to commercial pest control operators. While in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales, there are no regulations in place for the use and sale of or use of glue traps.
"These devices should be prohibited under legislation to help ensure that they are not used," said Lagoon. "The RSPCA believes that any use of glue traps is not necessary given that there are more humane alternatives available.
"As every state has different legislation around the sale and use of glue traps, we’re advocating for a ban on the sale and use of these traps across the country and for consistent rules and regulations to be put in place regarding these traps."
Bunnings changes to sale of traps
After a petition was signed by thousands of Australians in 2022, Bunnings agreed to phase out certain products such as the "naked" traps.
The trap products it sells are designed to sit in cupboards with small openings to reduce the risk of non-insect species becoming trapped. All of the products that Bunnings sells are compliant with the relevant state legislation and regulations although RSPCA would like to see those regulations strengthened.
Yahoo understands that packaging at Bunnings has also been upgraded to ensure that customers can clearly learn how to use the products correctly and safely as well as stocking a series of other products that aren't sticky.
Bunnings no longer sells Buzz Fly Papers Insect Trap, the Trapit Sticky Insect Trap, or the standalone Buzz Outdoor Insect Catcher Refill packs, which Yahoo has reported on previously.
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