Wildlife rescuers are calling on Bunnings, the hardware giant with a massive outlet on Euston Road in Alexandria, as well as other retailers to remove the sale of glue traps in their inventory.
Whilst the glue traps are meant to catch rodents and other pests, they can also be indiscriminately snaring other animals like micro bats, kookaburras, or blue-tongued lizards. A veterinary clinic in Sydney has also desperately saved kittens as they have been trapped in devices meant for rats.
When trapped, the rescuers said the animals could slowly die of starvation or dehydration. Some species also try to remove themselves from the glue trap by biting or gnawing through their limbs.
“These traps cause horrific pain and suffering to any animal that comes in contact with them,” the online petition to stop the sale of glue traps stated.
“A Bunnings representative said, whilst they complied with all Australian laws for selling glue traps, they were also aware of the risks associated with the products they sell, on birds and other wildlife.”
“We are asking Bunnings, Chief Operating Officer, Mr Ben McIntosh if he will help in getting Bunnings to uphold community standards for environmental responsibility and animal welfare.”
As of press time, the petition has over 17,000 signatures.
Adrian Pearce, the general manager of merchandise for Bunnings, said that the sticky traps they sell contain glue strong enough to trap insects but not mammals and birds. These are recommended for indoor use only, which shouldn’t be exposed to wildlife. The “indoor use” label is on the packaging.
Mr Pearce also said that, unlike other retailers, they do not sell glue traps for catching rodents. The retail giant works with innovative suppliers to follow the advice of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and state regulatory bodies. Glue traps have been banned in Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT.
A quick look at the stocks online indicates that Bunnings Alexandria currently has one product, The Buzz Indoor Pest Glue Trap, with advanced soft-set insect glue traps. The packaging indicates that it’s featured with a “professional strength glue” meant for capturing spiders, cockroaches, scorpions, earwigs, and “other unwanted household pests.”
