WAYNESBORO, Va. (WHSV) – The Wildlife Center of Virginia regularly sees patients caught in glue traps.
Olivia Schiermeyer, a veterinary researcher at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, said they have observed birds and snakes getting stuck on the sticky traps. A sticky trap is made of thick, sticky glue with a paper backing that is often used to catch rodents and insects.
“They get stuck in the glue and die of dehydration and hunger. It’s a terrible death,” said Schiemeyer.
When the mice and insects are caught in the glue traps, Schiermeyer says, the snakes and birds see their prey on the traps and then also get caught in the trap.
Schiermeyer said that while snakes caught in the glue traps do not suffer many serious injuries, they are usually dehydrated.
Birds can suffer serious injuries.
“They often lose a lot of feathers, their wing joints can become dislocated, and bones can break,” says Schiermeyer.
Due to the stickiness of the glue, it can be difficult to remove, which causes great stress for the animal.
“We have to use mineral oil to remove it. The oil is a contaminant and then we have to bathe them,” Schiermeyer said.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia recently admitted its 100,000th patient: a snake caught in a glue trap.
“There were also two other ring-necked snakes on the same sticky trap that were already dead,” said Schiermeyer.
The snake died of dehydration and starvation shortly after arriving at the center, Schiermeyer said. Another snake, caught in a glue trap, is expected to be released in a week or two.
“It developed subcutaneous emphysema, which is basically air under the skin, because the animal’s skin was stretched so far by the glue trap,” Schiermeyer said.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia advises against using sticky traps. There are a few ways to keep unwanted rodents away without using traps. Schiermeyer said the best method is to attract their natural enemies. There are also several traps you can use without killing the animals.
If you see an animal caught in a glue trap, do not attempt to free the animal yourself as this may cause further injury.
“Cover the remaining glue with flour, cornstarch or paper. This way no other parts of the animal’s body will get stuck when it frees itself. Then take it to a zookeeper,” said Schiermeyer.
Schiermeyer said the sight of patients in glue traps is sad for staff and does not often lead to release because the animals are in poor condition.
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