WeHo is first city in nation to ban glue traps

West Hollywood became the first city not just in California but in the nation to ban glue traps, which are targeted at rodents and insects but often end up stuck to birds, cats and squirrels, according to PETA.

At Monday night’s meeting, City Council unanimously approved a proposal to prevent the use and sale of these traps.

Glue traps are commonly used by homeowners, food processors, and pest management companies to control rodent populations. The traps are designed to entrap rodents and other pests by using a non-drying adhesive that captures their feet and bodies. The animals are then unable to free themselves and eventually die from starvation, dehydration, or suffocation. The process is deemed inhumane and cruel by animal welfare advocates. There have also been numerous cases of cats becoming stuck in vertebrate glue traps and requiring veterinary assistance.

“By keeping cruel glue traps out, WeHo is a trailblazer for vulnerable little animals,” said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA thanks city officials for protecting animals from horrific cruelty and urges lawmakers across the country to follow their lead.”

The CDC has also warned against the use of these traps as trapped animals produce urine and feces, which may have harmful human health impacts. Additionally, the use of glue traps within the home can pose a risk to curious pets and children who may stumble upon them.

While glue traps designed to capture vertebrate animals such as rats pose the most significant problem due to their increased likelihood to capture larger and multiple animals, glue traps designed to capture invertebrate animals such as insets, ants, flies, and cockroaches present similar dangers.

These glue traps are much smaller and typically include a tent or other structure on top to protect larger animals from getting caught. However, insects caught in these traps sustain injuries in an attempt to free themselves and eventually succumb to their injuries, exhaustion, starvation, or dehydration.

The ordinance amends the West Hollywood Municipal Code to prohibit the sale and use of glue traps and amend the city’s penalty provisions.

Following the vote to prohibit the use and sale of glue traps in the City of West Hollywood, more humane and targeted methods have been suggested as alternatives. For vertebrate animals, options include snap traps, live traps, and electric traps, which have a higher chance of killing rodents instantly. Live traps, also known as catch and release traps, capture animals in a device through the use of single or multiple entryways that snap shut, trapping the animal inside. Once captured, the animal can be safely released to another location.

For small invertebrate animals, viable alternatives depend on the type of animal. For example, electric traps that entice a bug with bright lights and deliver a shock when the insect makes contact with the device, killing them instantly, can be a viable alternative for flying insects. For wingless insects, like spiders, cockroaches, and similar insects, there exists a variety of catch and release devices that trap the insect so they can be safely relocated.
In addition to the use of more humane traps, preventative measures such as maintaining a clean space free of food and litter, weather stripping, and door sweeps can help keep rodents and insects away.

West Hollywood would be the first city in California to prohibit the use and sale of glue traps. However, a number of US cities, countries, and many well-known agencies/businesses around the world have taken steps to ban either the sale or use of glue traps over both animal welfare and health concerns.

The report finds that banning glue traps is a valid exercise of the city’s police power, not preempted by state or federal law. It recommends implementing an integrated pest management program with chemical and non-chemical measures and educating the public on glue trap dangers and alternative pest control methods.

The City of West Hollywood has a history of supporting animal welfare measures and is known as a highly animal-friendly city. If adopted, the ordinance would become effective one year from its passage, allowing retailers and exterminators to comply.

THE FIRST-HAND HORRORS OF GLUE TRAPS

Patricia McMahon and James Garrett wrote to City Council about a terrible experience involving their cat and a glue trap:

“My personal experience was with a kitten, caught in a glue trap, having its feet stuck to its face & found glued to the trap. The near death kitten was rushed to a veterinary hospital; his fur was shaved attempting to rid the glue; detaching tiny feet and legs from his face, neck. His skin tore. The veterinarian suggested putting ‘GLUEY’ down, staff persisted. Stitches wove his skin wounds together. After a week with constant care helping the kitten through seizures and near death episodes, an exhausted staff member, told the tale of the kitten dubbed-‘Gluey’ to my husband. As my husband plucked up the baby, blowing bubbles into his belly, ‘Gluey’ reacted and wrapped his paws around my husband’s nose. We took him home, renamed him ‘KEEPER’ for the better side of humans, first rescuing him, then refusing to let him die. Our first hand learning experience with the abomination and cruelty of GLUE TRAPS will never be forgotten.”

OTHER WEHO FIRSTS

Banning glue traps would be the latest in a long line of “firsts” that WeHo has pioneered.

1. Domestic partnership registry: In 1985, West Hollywood became the first city in the United States to create a domestic partnership registry, extending legal recognition and benefits to same-sex couples long before marriage equality was enacted at the national level.
2. Fur sales ban: West Hollywood became the first city in the U.S. to ban the sale of fur clothing and accessories in 2011, reflecting its commitment to animal welfare.
3. Gender-neutral restrooms: In 2015, West Hollywood became the first city to require all single-stall restrooms in businesses and public spaces to be gender-neutral, aiming to create a more inclusive and safe environment for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
4. Cannabis cafes: West Hollywood was one of the first cities in California to allow cannabis consumption lounges, where customers can legally consume marijuana in a social setting.
5. Green building requirements: West Hollywood has been a leader in environmental sustainability by adopting green building requirements and promoting eco-friendly construction practices.
6. Tobacco sales restrictions: West Hollywood has taken steps to regulate tobacco sales, including being the first city in California to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in 2019.