Blue Mountains City Council has voted unanimously to advocate for a complete ban on “harmful” glue traps in NSW.
Glue traps are a device used to trap pests, including rodents and insects, that can result in an inhumane death with animals slowly starving to death or causing themselves agonising injuries, the Council said in a statement. The traps often inadvertently kill or harm native animals too, it said.
While the current NSW Government banned the use of glue traps through regulations in 2025 and the devices are illegal to set, the devices are not illegal to sell and are widely available to buy in NSW.
Mayor, Mark Greenhill condemned the practice, saying, “Animal glue traps are a cruel and unnecessary way to trap animals, resulting in prolonged suffering for both native and non-native species. While we understand the need for pest control, there are more effective and humane methods.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to protect and manage our natural areas and the native flora and fauna of our World Heritage area, and the delicate ecosystems they support, we call on the State government to clarify the legislation around glue traps. Currently it is confusing, inconsistent and not fit-for-purpose.
“As a Council we have voted unanimously to advocate for a total prohibition on the sale of glue traps in NSW, bringing it in line with other state governments, including Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT.
“These states have already amended legislation to ban glue traps for the capture of animals and to require insect glue traps to be wildlife friendly.”
Council has advised it will write letters of advocacy raising its concerns with the relevant Ministers and MPs: Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Heritage, Penny Sharpe; NSW Attorney General, Michael Daley and Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle.
