Illegal glue traps for mice and rats, banned in Scotland since July 1 over animal welfare concerns, remain widely on sale, a Sunday Mail probe has revealed. The investigation found UK-based pest control shops still advertising the cruel devices online with no restrictions for customers north of the border.
Retailers Unaware of Scottish Ban
Most retailers investigated appeared unaware of the total ban in Scotland, carrying outdated and inaccurate information about the law. While a less stringent ban in England allows licensed professionals to sell glue traps, animal welfare charities say illegal traps are being openly sold to the public in high street DIY stores across Scotland.
Animal Welfare Concerns
Nick Hawkes, senior wildlife officer at Humane World for Animals UK, said: “It’s great news that glue traps are banned in Scotland. But we’d urge the authorities not to repeat mistakes made in England, where these illegal traps are still being widely sold. When people find these products on shelves and common online platforms such as Amazon, they understandably assume they are lawful to buy and use. That puts animals at risk of appalling suffering and puts the public at risk of breaking the law.”
The inhumane traps—typically trays coated with a sticky adhesive—do not immediately kill animals but can cause severe and fatal injuries. Although commonly used to ensnare mice and rats, the devices can capture birds, bats, and even household pets.
Rebranding and Enforcement Challenges
Kirsty Jenkins, policy director at OneKind, said some producers have rebranded their glue boards as for insects only, but reviews on Amazon clearly show customers using them on rodents. She told the Sunday Mail: “The nature of online sales makes enforcement really challenging. There is going to be this really complicated situation where it’s not illegal to sell them elsewhere in the UK, but it is in Scotland.”
Jenkins warned the issue extends beyond online retail. She added: “We’ve had some of our Scottish supporters getting in touch recently saying that they’re still on sale in hardware shops. One said when they asked about what to do about rats and mice that someone in the shop recommended glue traps. That was within the last few months, and obviously the retailers knew this was coming, so that doesn’t really reassure us. Enforcement will be key.”
Suffering Caused by Glue Traps
As animals struggle to free themselves from glue traps, they rip out feathers, patches of fur, and break bones. Many die from their injuries or succumb slowly to dehydration, hunger, or exposure. From July 1, it is a criminal offence to use, supply, or possess a glue trap in Scotland, with offenders facing a fine of up to £40,000 or 12 months in prison.
Incidents and Enforcement
Between 2023 and 2026, the Scottish SPCA received 48 reports of animals caught in glue traps. In 2025, a magpie had to be put down after getting stuck in a device in Glasgow. In 2024, two robins died after suffering severe injuries from a glue trap in Edinburgh. The same year, a seagull was saved after getting stuck on a glue board in Aberdeen.
On four online shops visited, glue traps were available to buy and deliver to Scotland. Three of the four retailers wrongly stated: “In Scotland… there remain no restrictions on sale or use of rodent glue boards.”
