A ban that affects what a quote can include
Glue boards were once a cheap standard method of catching mice. In England, using them for rodents is now a criminal offence in most circumstances. This article summarises the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 as published on legislation.gov.uk, the commencement regulations, and GOV.UK guidance. The offences in section 1 are headed “Offences relating to glue traps in England”. The Act extends to England and Wales, but the rules for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not covered here. It is general information, not legal advice.
When it came into force
The Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 (Commencement) Regulations 2024 brought sections 2 and 10 into force on 22 May 2024, covering the power to grant licences and the extent and commencement provisions. All the remaining provisions, including the new offences, came into force on 31 July 2024. The Government’s announcement of the licensing scheme, published on 19 June 2024, gave the same date and said that from then it would be an offence to use glue traps for rodent control unless done under a licence.
What is prohibited
Section 1 creates two main offences. The first is setting a glue trap intending to catch a rodent. The second is setting a glue trap in a manner that gives rise to a risk that a rodent will become caught in it. The Act defines a glue trap as a trap designed, or capable of being used, to catch a rodent using an adhesive substance as the means, or one of the means, of capture.
Knowingly causing or permitting a glue trap to be set is also an offence. On summary conviction, these offences carry up to 51 weeks’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
There is also a duty on anyone who finds a glue trap that gives rise to such a risk: without reasonable excuse, they must ensure it no longer does. A person has a reasonable excuse if they believed the trap was set under a licence. Failing to act carries a fine only.
The licensing exception
Section 1 states that the main offences do not apply if the glue trap is set under, and in accordance with the terms of, a glue trap licence. Under section 2, the Secretary of State can authorise pest controllers to use glue traps for the purpose of preserving public health or public safety, and licences can be revoked. Section 3 makes it an offence to give false or misleading information in a licence application, again punishable on summary conviction by up to 51 weeks’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The GOV.UK announcement says licences are issued to professional pest controllers for the purpose of preserving public health and safety, and that glue traps are permitted only in exceptional circumstances where there is no alternative satisfactory solution. The licence is therefore not a general permission for households.
Why the ban was introduced
When the Government backed the Bill in June 2021, it said glue traps can cause suffering and painful death for animals, that rodents can remain alive for at least 24 hours after capture, and that pets and wildlife can also fall victim. It cited the RSPCA receiving over 200 reports in five years of animals not considered pests, including wild birds, hedgehogs and pet cats, being found stuck in them. Those are the Government’s own statements in support of the Bill and reflect the policy case rather than a measured national incidence.
What other GOV.UK pest-control guidance says
GOV.UK’s general page on pest control on your property lists glue traps designed to catch rodents among the methods that cannot be used for any wildlife, alongside self-locking snares, bows and crossbows, explosives other than legal ammunition for a licensed firearm, and live decoys unless licensed. It also says people should only use traps approved for the species they want to control, only use poison intended for the pests concerned, and protect other animals by placing lethal traps under cover and preventing wildlife from eating poison. It adds that councils may charge a fee for pest control services and that householders can hire a pest controller.
What to check when comparing pest control quotes
In England, a quote that includes glue boards for mice or rats should prompt questions. The Act’s exception applies only where the trap is set under and in accordance with a glue trap licence, and the GOV.UK announcement says licences are for exceptional circumstances with no alternative. A householder can ask whether the company holds a licence and why alternatives, such as snap traps or bait boxes, are not suitable. A householder who finds a glue trap set by someone else, such as a previous occupier, has the duty described above unless they reasonably believe it is licensed.
The bottom line
Since 31 July 2024, setting a glue trap to catch a rodent in England has been an offence punishable by up to 51 weeks’ imprisonment or a fine, unless the trap is set under a licence. Licences go to professional pest controllers for public health or safety in exceptional circumstances. Anyone in England who is offered glue boards for mice or rats should ask about the licence and the alternatives.
Sources
- legislation.gov.uk, “Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, section 1 (Offences relating to glue traps in England)”
- legislation.gov.uk, “Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022”
- legislation.gov.uk, “The Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 (Commencement) Regulations 2024”
- Natural England and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, GOV.UK, “Glue traps licensing scheme opens”
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, GOV.UK, “Government backs Bill banning the use of glue traps for pest control”
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Natural England, GOV.UK, “Pest control on your property”