Glue traps - use and possession now illegal in Scotland as from today 1 July 2026 - JUST SO YOU KNOW

[enfieldspares]

From 1 July 2026, under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024, it will be a criminal offence to use, supply or possess a glue trap.

Offenders face a fine of up to £40,000 or up to 12 months in prison.

Although the ban was passed in 2024, it could not immediately come into force in full. The UK Government's Internal Market Act 2020 requires that goods lawfully sold in one part of the UK can generally be sold in any other part. To close this gap the UK Government to introduce a Statutory Instrument to exempt glue traps from those internal market rules.

With that exclusion now in place, the Scottish Government can commence the full ban - covering use, possession and sale.

 

[muddy42]

whats defined as a glue trap? what about fly paper or those hormone moth trap things.

 

[andyk]

I did just look at this, it’s exempt if it’s only designed to catch insects and could only catch insects.

Perhaps a bit grey, but if it’s a hanging fly paper, I can’t see how anyone could say it could catch a rodent.

 

[enfieldspares]

whats defined as a glue trap? what about fly paper or those hormone moth trap things.

Any sticky or glue coated trap designed to catch vertebrates is, I belive, how it is written in the legislation. Here's some opinion from a trade body:

Guidance: Scottish glue trap ban - July 2026

 

[Mick9abf]

Another incredibly important piece of legislation passed by the Shortbread Senate whilst they ignore what they should really be looking at, absolute waste of space the lot of them.

 

[shakey jake]

What more stupid is in england glue boards are almost banned for use but perfectly legal to sell and to own!

 

[Dunwaters]

What more stupid is in england glue boards are almost banned for use but perfectly legal to sell and to own!

Don’t knock it

 

[shakey jake]

Don’t knock it

Why shouldnt i knock it?
Being a pro pest controler i cant use them unless i jump through several hoops and its in a hospital operating theatre, a major food distribution hub or a plane. But some one with no training or any swcond thought can buy a pallet load and chuck them down never to check again.
More stupid rules by a stupid gov, just ban them for amature use, ban the sale with out a proper training cert.
Id be all for the banning of amature use rodenticide at the same time

 

[Dunwaters]

Why shouldnt i knock it?
Being a pro pest controler i cant use them unless i jump through several hoops and its in a hospital operating theatre, a major food distribution hub or a plane. But some one with no training or any swcond thought can buy a pallet load and chuck them down never to check again.

That’s what’s not to knock.

More stupid rules by a stupid gov, just ban them for amature use, ban the sale with out a proper training cert.
Id be all for the banning of amature use rodenticide at the same time

Go for it, the answer to over regulation is obviously more regulations.

 

[shakey jake]

That’s what’s not to knock.

Go for it, the answer to over regulation is obviously more regulations.

I dont understand you, im not annoyed about over regulation, im annoyed they only went half way, i want more regulation.

 

[Dunwaters]

I dont understand you, im not annoyed about over regulation, im annoyed they only went half way, i want more regulation.

I definitely got that impression, but why?
How widespread is the misuse of glue traps? Do they actually need more regulation?
Why would you specifically want to regulate glue traps but not the old fashioned back breaker spring traps?
If I have a problem with vermin, I’ll deal with myself, I’m not asking for permits or doing a course for certification especially not one of those useless “ course completion “ certificates that are so popular nowadays. I use glue traps for mice because they work and because they are effective. Just push the sheet close to the wall and wait. I use spring traps for rats indoors because if you use poison they stink out the place when they die and decay it also seems to be quite a painful death.
My preferred option would be to stop treating everyone who doesn’t have a certificate as morons.
Of course that won’t happen, because the people and organisations that insisted certification was necessary in the first place are the very same people now making a nice little income out of the certification process.
There are enough regulations, we don’t need more.

 

[Bowland blades]

The captured creature is bonded until the trapper decides to pick up all the traps they set . In the real world , these glue traps will not be checked regular enough and neither is it possible to release bycatch . Imagine a little vole treading on one of these glue traps for 24 hours unable to move ! Then there is people who will set such things and just forget about it, leaving the victim to demise over a week or more ! If your going to kill something , kill it fast and clean as you can !

 

[shakey jake]

I definitely got that impression, but why?
How widespread is the misuse of glue traps? Do they actually need more regulation?
Why would you specifically want to regulate glue traps but not the old fashioned back breaker spring traps?
If I have a problem with vermin, I’ll deal with myself, I’m not asking for permits or doing a course for certification especially not one of those useless “ course completion “ certificates that are so popular nowadays. I use glue traps for mice because they work and because they are effective. Just push the sheet close to the wall and wait. I use spring traps for rats indoors because if you use poison they stink out the place when they die and decay it also seems to be quite a painful death.
My preferred option would be to stop treating everyone who doesn’t have a certificate as morons.
Of course that won’t happen, because the people and organisations that insisted certification was necessary in the first place are the very same people now making a nice little income out of the certification process.
There are enough regulations, we don’t need more.

For the first time i agree with bowland, ive seen countless glue boards put down for mice and left, the code used to be 24 hour checks i think, but i think that changed to 12.
Comparing them to break back is simplistic, break backs are designed to kill glue boards arent.
Ive seen plenty of evidence to think people need training on rodenticide.
We dont live in the same country, i couldnt give a stuff what ireland does. missuse of rodenticide and glue boards by amature and fools has lead to more restrictions for me in england.
Im fully on board with crru, i use break backs outside for routine rodent control, ive never needed to use glue boards. But as a proffesional i should be allowed as many legal options as possible, because im trained and understand the risks

 

[Sol]

Quite a lot of swifts end up perishing from the fly paper/tape apparently, there quite common too be used in horse barns conveniently where the swallows are.

I do think a ban of glue traps are a good idea though, Its a shame Its easier for the average joe too use and get ahold of them than regulated pest controllers who know the legalization & would benefit from them.

Its the stupid people using them incorrectly what is the issue.

 

[Dunwaters]

For the first time i agree with bowland, ive seen countless glue boards put down for mice and left, the code used to be 24 hour checks i think, but i think that changed to 12.
Comparing them to break back is simplistic, break backs are designed to kill glue boards arent.
Ive seen plenty of evidence to think people need training on rodenticide.

We dont live in the same country,
i couldnt give a stuff what ireland does. missuse of rodenticide and glue boards by amature and fools has lead to more restrictions for me in england.

Is there some rule, regulation, reason or convention dictating that my nationality automatically means that my comments should be so rudely dismissed?
Why is it necessary to make an issue of where I live?

Im fully on board with crru, i use break backs outside for routine rodent control, ive never needed to use glue boards. But as a proffesional i should be allowed as many legal options as possible, because im trained and understand the risks

 

[shakey jake]

Is there some rule, regulation, reason or convention dictating that my nationality automatically means that my comments should be so rudely dismissed?
Why is it necessary to make an issue of where I live?

I mention where you live because you said we dont need more laws, there isnt a we. You live in ireland im in england,

 

[NullMac]

Another incredibly important piece of legislation passed by the Shortbread Senate whilst they ignore what they should really be looking at, absolute waste of space the lot of them.

They have to do something to fill their day until the next election

 

[Dunwaters]

I mention where you live because you said we dont need more laws, there isnt a we. You live in ireland im in england,

You believe that you need more regulation in the UK?

 

[enfieldspares]

You believe that you need more regulation in the UK?

LOL!

Alas there are some individuals and some organisations that seemingly live in the hope of it. Either to elevate their standing or line their pockets. Or both. Anyway I'm off to put in an extra shift at work to get the money together for my BASC Wild Boar Certificate at a bargan £213 for a day and a half course so can't tarry here and write more.

Wild boar certificate

This course is designed for the sportsman or woman as part of their ongoing commitment to humane and responsible hunting of wild boar.

basc.org.uk

 

[shakey jake]

You believe that you need more regulation in the UK?

We have terrible rules at the mo, illegal to use glue boards but legal to buy sell and have?
Also not the uk, just england, dont care what wales and the scots do.
We need laws that make sense. Training should matter.