Police: Sticky Traps Are Dangerous to Wildlife

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Image: Two chickadees caught in a glue trap (Fairfax County Police Department).

In Fairfax County, Animal Control officers routinely respond to calls for birds, snakes and other wildlife being caught in glue traps, which are designed for nuisance rodents. These reports are more common in spring and summer, according to the county police.

Recently, several chickadees were caught on the glue sheets, with deadly results. Animal Control officers responded and took the sheets and birds to a local veterinarian for removal. The stress of getting entangled caused several of the birds to pass away.

Glue boards also trap local snakes, the natural predators of mice and rats. Cats, bats and other animals can be trapped, unintentionally, as well.

For more information on this issue, please click here on the U.S. Humane Society’s website.