About this guide
This guide explains the current legal position on glue trap use in the UK — including the bans on public use in England, Wales, and Scotland — the animal welfare concerns that drove these changes, the restricted circumstances under which professionals may apply to use them, and the effective alternatives that are available. The page supports Apex Pest Control Ltd's mouse control service by clarifying the law before users choose a pest control approach.
Glue traps — adhesive boards or pads that immobilise rodents on contact — were until recently widely available in UK shops and used by both members of the public and pest control professionals. This has changed substantially. Legislation banning the public use of glue traps has now been introduced across all three of England, Scotland, and Wales, driven by significant animal welfare concerns about the suffering they cause.
The current legal position on glue traps
Glue trap use by members of the public is now illegal across Great Britain:
England: The Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 came into force on 9 April 2024. It is an offence for any person who is not an authorised professional to use a glue trap, supply a glue trap for use, or possess a glue trap with intent to use it. Offences carry a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and/or up to 51 weeks' imprisonment.
Wales: Equivalent restrictions came into force on 17 October 2023 under amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with similar offence provisions.
Scotland: Restrictions on glue trap use came into force on 1 August 2024 under the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020.
Animal welfare monitoring studies found that glue traps cause significant and prolonged suffering to captured animals, including exhaustion, dehydration, self-inflicted injuries from struggling, and hypothermia — frequently over periods exceeding 24 hours before death or discovery — which underpinned the legislative changes in England, Wales, and Scotland.
— RSPCA / Animal Aid welfare assessment, 2021
Why glue traps were banned
The legislation reflects longstanding animal welfare concerns about the nature of suffering that glue traps cause. An animal caught on a glue trap cannot free itself. In attempts to escape, animals frequently injure themselves severely — breaking limbs, tearing skin, and in some cases self-amputating appendages. Trapped animals may remain conscious and in distress for many hours before being found. Non-target species — including small birds, hedgehogs, bats, shrews, and other protected wildlife — are also regularly caught on glue traps.
The bans reflect a consensus across the UK pest control profession, animal welfare organisations, and legislators that glue traps are not an acceptable rodent control method when effective, more humane alternatives are available.
If you have purchased glue traps before the legislation came into force, using them is now an offence in England (from 9 April 2024), Wales (from 17 October 2023), and Scotland (from 1 August 2024). Dispose of unused glue traps through normal household waste — do not use them. Contact a pest control professional if you need help with a mouse infestation.
Professional use: limited and licensed
Under the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 in England, authorised professionals may apply to the Secretary of State for a licence to use glue traps in specific, limited circumstances. This is not a blanket exemption for pest controllers — it is a specific licence application for specific situations where no alternative method is reasonably practicable. Licensed professional use also carries stringent conditions, including the requirement to check traps at very frequent intervals and to minimise suffering if an animal is caught.
In practice, the vast majority of mouse infestations can be resolved effectively with snap traps, electronic kill traps, multi-catch traps, or rodenticide bait — making a glue trap licence application unnecessary in almost all situations.
Effective and legal alternatives
Snap traps: The most widely used and effective kill trap for mice. House mice are neophilic — they readily investigate new objects — and will take snap traps quickly when positioned correctly along travel routes. Modern plastic snap traps are significantly more effective than older wooden designs. They are inexpensive, reusable, and produce no chemical residue.
Electronic kill traps: Deliver a rapid high-voltage kill, considered a high-welfare option. Preferred in food production, healthcare, and pharmaceutical settings where both chemical residue and traditional trap aesthetics are concerns.
Multi-catch live traps: Capture multiple mice without killing them, suitable for situations where a client prefers non-lethal control. Note that captured mice must be released — but unlike brown rats, house mice can be released at a suitable location away from the property. They require very frequent checking (every 12 hours minimum under the Animal Welfare Act 2006).
Rodenticide bait stations: Anticoagulant rodenticide in tamper-resistant stations provides systematic treatment of the mouse population. Since house mice are neophilic and readily accept new objects, bait take is typically faster than in rat programmes.
If you had a mouse problem before the ban
If you previously managed a mouse problem using glue traps, any of the alternatives above will provide effective control. A professional pest controller can survey the property, identify entry points, and recommend the most appropriate method for your specific situation. The legislation does not mean mouse control is no longer possible — it means the most welfare-problematic method is no longer permitted for public use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are glue traps illegal in the UK?
Yes, for members of the public. The use of glue traps by non-professionals is now illegal in England (from 9 April 2024 under the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022), Wales (from 17 October 2023), and Scotland (from 1 August 2024). The maximum penalty in England is an unlimited fine and/or up to 51 weeks' imprisonment.
Can pest controllers still use glue traps?
In England, authorised professionals may apply to the Secretary of State for a licence to use glue traps in specific, limited circumstances where no alternative method is reasonably practicable. This is not a general exemption — it is a specific licence for specific situations. In practice, the vast majority of mouse infestations are resolved effectively with snap traps, electronic traps, or rodenticide bait.
Why were glue traps banned?
Glue traps cause significant and prolonged suffering to captured animals. Trapped animals cannot free themselves and frequently sustain severe self-inflicted injuries during escape attempts. They may remain alive and distressed for many hours before being found. Non-target species including birds, hedgehogs, bats, and other protected wildlife are also regularly caught. The legislation reflects consensus that glue traps are not acceptable when effective, more humane alternatives exist.
What should I use instead of a glue trap for mice?
Snap traps, electronic kill traps, multi-catch live traps, and rodenticide bait stations in tamper-resistant containers are all legal and effective alternatives. For most domestic mouse infestations, correctly positioned snap traps or bait stations will resolve the problem. A professional pest controller can recommend the most appropriate method for your specific situation.
I bought glue traps before the ban — can I still use them?
No. The offence is the use of glue traps, not just their purchase. Dispose of unused glue traps through normal household waste and use a legal alternative method. If you need help with a mouse infestation, contact a pest control professional.
Do glue traps catch mice quickly?
Glue traps immobilise mice on first contact but do not kill them — the animal remains trapped and alive, sometimes for extended periods. This is the core welfare problem with glue traps and the primary reason they have been banned for public use. Snap traps and electronic traps provide a faster, more humane kill.
Can non-target animals be caught by glue traps?
Yes, this is a well-documented problem. Small birds, hedgehogs, bats, shrews, and other small wildlife species are regularly caught by glue traps placed indoors and outdoors. Bats are a European Protected Species — catching, injuring, or disturbing them is a serious criminal offence. The risk of non-target capture is one of the additional reasons that contributed to the bans in England, Wales, and Scotland.