Black Racer Freed from Glue Trap

Glue traps are a common pest control frequently seen at grocery and home improvement stores. At first glance, they seem like an easy solution to a pest problem, but the reality is that these traps are the most inhumane form of pest control. Glue traps are responsible for more suffering than virtually any other form of wildlife control on the market. In fact, there are no claims that they provide a quick death or a solution to rodent infestations.

Glue traps are plastic trays coated in a very sticky adhesive. Any and everything that encounters this adhesive can become entrapped. While these traps typically target rats or mice, they often catch non-target wildlife or pets. These animals usually meet a slow death due to starvation or suffocation and frequently cause further injury while struggling to free themselves.

Luckily for this Black Racer (24-2079), a caring finder quickly reacted when they found it stuck to a glue trap. Staff quickly removed the snake from the trap using dust to help free it from this sticky situation. After a dust bath to remove the remaining adhesive, the snake was placed in a soft-sided enclosure in our reptile room and monitored overnight. The next day, staff examined the snake to ensure no adhesive remained and no secondary injuries. After the examination, staff cleared the snake for release.

While this snake was one of the lucky victims of glue traps, most meet a slow, unfortunate end. If you find an animal stuck to a glue trap, please bring it to CROW or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Never try to remove an animal on your own because it could cause further injury to the animal. Use preventative forms of pest control, including securing attractants such as trash, pet food, or fallen fruit, keeping vegetation trimmed away from the building, and sealing entry points. Let nature do the work by inviting natural predators such as raptors (owls or hawks) to manage rodent populations by planting canopy trees and installing a nest box.