Glue Traps: The Cruel Convenience

It starts with a faint scratching sound inside the false ceiling or a dark shape darting behind the washing machine on the utility balcony. Whether it’s a dry summer night in Malleswaram or a wet monsoon evening in Whitefield, the reality of urban living eventually creeps in: we are not alone in our homes.

Rats and mice are not just seasonal visitors; they are the permanent shadow of Bengaluru’s rapid growth. As old bungalows make way for massive construction projects and our waste management struggles to keep pace with density, rodents are constantly displaced from the streets into our living spaces.

When we spot one, the knee-jerk reaction is panic. We want it gone, and we want it gone now. In a city addicted to instant convenience, we open a quick-commerce app, search for “pest control,” and add the cheapest, “cleanest” looking solution to our cart: The Glue Trap.

It looks harmless enough—no poison, no fumes. But as an urban ecologist observing the biodiversity of this city, I have to tell you: this “easy” solution is one of the cruelest and most ecologically damaging hazards present in our modern landscape.

The Deep Dive: A Quick Fix for a Complex Problem

Why are glue traps suddenly everywhere in Bengaluru? The answer lies in the friction between our biology and our infrastructure.

Displacement by Design: The relentless digging for the Namma Metro and new tech parks has displaced millions of burrowing animals. As old houses and empty plots in Malleswaram or Indiranagar are replaced by concrete complexes, animals lose their habitat and move into our basements.

The “Garbage City” Legacy: Despite improvements, our waste management struggles to keep up with the “Silicon Valley” population boom. Food waste hotspots near PGs and eateries provide an all-you-can-eat buffet for rodents, increasing their numbers.

The Sealed City: Modern apartments restrict natural airflow and movement. When pests get in, they stay in. RWAs, pressured by residents for “instant results,” turn to glue traps because they are cheap and non-toxic to humans, ignoring the cruelty they inflict on animals.

The Impact: The Innocent Bystanders

Glue traps are non-selective. They function as open biological minefields. They don’t just catch rats; they punish our city’s most helpful and beautiful wildlife.

The Natural Pest Controllers (Snakes & Owls) This is the most common collateral damage. Spectacled Cobras and Rat Snakes (Dhaman)—vital species that naturally keep rodent populations in check—enter homes tracking the scent of a mouse. They see the mouse stuck on the trap and strike, only to get adhered to the board themselves. Similarly, Spotted Owlets and Barn Owls, which hunt by movement, swoop down on the struggling rat and get their wings plastered to the glue.

The Garden Visitors (Birds & Geckos) Glue traps placed on balconies often trap insects first. These struggling insects act as bait. Magpie Robins, Purple-rumped Sunbirds, and Common Tailorbirds swoop down for an easy meal and find themselves grounded. Even the humble House Gecko, which eats mosquitoes, frequently falls victim.

The Ripple Effect By using glue traps, we are systematically removing the predators (snakes, owls, and lizards) that eat pests. This creates a vacuum, leading to more rats and mosquitoes in the long run, creating a vicious cycle where we buy more traps to solve a problem we are worsening.

The Community Action Plan: Unsticking the City

We can manage pests without torture. Here is how you, your family, and your Resident Welfare Association (RWA) can make a shift:

1. Proofing Over Catching (The Root Cause): Rats enter because there is food and a way in.

   • Action: Install simple wire mesh (hardware cloth) over drain pipes and utility ducts. Ensure wet waste is in sealed bins. If you deny them entry and food, they will move on.

2. The “Oil Rescue” Protocol: If you find an animal (even a rat) or a non-target bird/snake stuck on a glue trap, DO NOT PULL THEM OFF. Pulling tears skin and feathers, often fatally.

   • Action: Gently pour vegetable oil (coconut or sunflower oil) over the contact points. The oil dissolves the glue’s bond. Massage it gently until the animal slides free. Note: If it is a snake or a raptor, call professional rescuers (like BBMP Forest Cell or ARRC) immediately.

3. Switch to Humane Traps: If you must remove a rodent, use a reusable cage trap. If lethal control is absolutely necessary for hygiene reasons, old-fashioned snap traps are vastly more humane than glue traps because they deliver an instant, quick death rather than days of starvation and suffocation.

4. Advocacy at the Counter: Many store owners don’t realize the cruelty. Politely ask your local supermarket or hardware store to stop stocking glue traps, explaining the danger to birds and pets.

Conclusion

Bengaluru is a city of innovation. We pride ourselves on finding smart solutions to difficult problems. Using a medieval torture device to handle household pests is beneath us. By securing our waste and choosing humane alternatives, we can keep our homes clean without silencing the Magpie Robins or maiming the Rat Snakes that share this vibrant city with us. Let’s make our homes safe zones, not death traps.