There are dozens of ways to catch rodents. These include methods like spring traps, humane traps, bait boxes and even smart rodent control devices. Along with this, there are also glue traps. But here’s the question: can you use these traps and are they legal in the UK?
You soon won’t be able to use glue traps in the UK
When destroying animal pests like rodents there is always one thing that you need to keep in mind. You want the animal to suffer as little as possible. The problem with glue traps is that they cause immense amounts of suffering. While rodents and rodent droppings can be dangerous, this doesn’t justify cruelty when there are perfectly good alternatives.
When rodents are caught in glue traps it’s usually their legs that get stuck. The rodent will do everything it can to free itself. They pull, and pull, and pull, and eventually rip the skin of their feet off or break bones. Other parts of the rodent‘s body may also get stuck to the trap, such as their tail. This can also be damaged or pulled off.
As you can imagine, this is extremely painful. The bottom line is that these traps are cruel, which is why a bill has been passed banning their use, and they are to become illegal in the UK from April next year (2024). They’re also extremely ineffective, and not worth using.
There are better ways to catch rodents than glue traps
By way of an example, you can use traditional spring traps. These kill the rodent instantly and do not cause prolonged pain and suffering. Rodent pellets also work wonders for mouse or rat pest control and for getting rid of these pests.
You can also experiment with humane traps. These devices trap the rodent without killing it. The easiest way to do this is by placing these traps near to where the rodents are living. Put some type of bait in the trap (peanut butter works best). You can then release any pests you capture away from your home. This is by far the most humane way to get rid of rodents.
Something you should do as a preventative measure is block up entrance points. This stops the rodents from getting into your home in the first place. Finally, don’t be afraid to call your local London pest company. We can quickly handle any mouse or rat control problem. Not only that, we’ll advise you on how to make sure that it’s done legally.