Glue boards (also known as glue traps) are made of cardboard, plastic or wood covered in an adhesive and are promoted as a rodent control method. They are designed to catch and trap animals who run across their surface. Despite glue boards causing severe pain and suffering, they are legal to use in most Australian jurisdictions. The RSPCA strongly advocates for the prohibition of the sale and use of these traps.
| State/Territory | Are glue boards prohibited? | Name of relevant act/special conditions and requirements |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | Yes | Animal Welfare Regulations 2001 Part 5 7C Prohibited traps – Act s 60. Part 5 Animal trapping 7C Prohibited traps—Act, s 60 (1) The following are prohibited traps: (a) glue trap; (b) metal-toothed rodent trap. (2) In this section: glue trap means a trap (however described) that contains glue, or another viscid substance, that is non-drying. metal-toothed rodent trap means a trap (however described) that has a spring-loaded metal arm and metal-toothed edge around the trap’s base. |
| NSW | Yes | Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2025 Part 6 Miscellaneous 42 Prohibited traps (1) For the Act, section 23(1)— (a) trap— (i) a glue trap is prescribed as a type of trap that must not be set unless the glue has a cage or other protection which prevents an animal from contact with the glue, adhesive material or viscid substance used in the trap, or (ii) is otherwise designed to prevent the capture of an animal in the trap, and (b) the whole of New South Wales is prescribed as the part of New South Wales in which the trap must not be set. (2) In this section— glue trap means a trap that— (a) is capable of trapping an animal, and (b) uses glue, adhesive material or viscid substance that is non-drying as the mode of capture. |
| NT | No | There are no current prohibitions. |
| QLD | No | The Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 does not explicitly define glue traps or glue boards as a prohibited trap in the Act or regulations however S42 of the Act covers feral or pest animals stating that any control method should cause "as little pain as is reasonable." Glue traps are known to cause prolonged suffering, as animals caught on these traps often experience distress, injury, and dehydration before they are found. This may challenge the "as little pain as is reasonable" requirement, potentially making their use problematic under the Act. RSPCA Qld is advocating to have these traps prohibited under the ACPA regulations. |
| SA | No | There are no current prohibitions. |
| TAS | Yes, but exemption | Under Animal Welfare Act 1993 Amendment in 2008 the use of glue board traps, to entrap animals, has been banned, other than with Ministerial exemption which currently allows licensed commercial pest control operators to use glue boards. 12. Traps (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person must not set, lay or place a leghold trap, glueboard trap or snare. Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units. (2) A person may apply to the Minister for an exemption to use a leghold trap, glueboard trap or snare. (6) In this section – "glueboard trap" means a device that uses an adhesive substance to entrap an animal. Linked here is the text of the Minister's exemption from the ban for "All persons licensed as commercial operators under section 22 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1995." Such commercial operators' use of glueboards for rodent control must be in accordance with the Australian Environmental Pest Managers' Association's Guidelines for the Use of Rodent Glueboards in Australia by the Pest Management Industry. The exemption document linked above details those guidelines. |
| VIC | Yes | Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 Division 8—Glue traps Sale, setting or use of glue traps (1) A person must not sell a glue trap capable of trapping an animal. (2) A person must not set or use a glue trap for the purposes of trapping an (3) A person may sell, set or use a glue trap for the purposes of capturing insects if the trap— (a) has a cage or other protection which prevents any animal from contact with the adhesive surface; or (b) is designed to prevent the capture of an animal. |
| WA | No | There are no current prohibitions. |
What can be done?
The RSPCA and other animal advocacy groups continue to advocate for the prohibition on the sale and use of glue boards in those jurisdictions where they are permitted. Community pressure and support for a ban on the sale and use of glue boards are an important part of achieving change.
The information presented here is not intended to be relied on for legal advice and you should seek advice from the relevant authority and/or a lawyer about your individual circumstances.
