Experts urge humane pest control in Bengaluru
Despite a legal ban, glue traps continue to be widely sold and used across Bengaluru, putting not only rodents but also innocent wildlife, pets, and even humans at risk. These adhesive-based traps, often marketed as a quick and cost-effective pest control solution, have raised serious ethical and environmental concerns. Experts argue that their indiscriminate nature leads to prolonged suffering and unintended harm, making them both cruel and ineffective. The Avian and Reptile Rehabilitation Centre (ARRC) has recorded a steady increase in cases of non-target animals, including birds and reptiles, being trapped, indicating that their usage remains alarmingly high.
Despite growing awareness, Bengaluru continues to struggle with weak enforcement of wildlife protection laws. Over the past three years, ARRC has rescued 78 animals from glue traps, with incidents rising from 15 cases in 2023 to 28 cases in 2024. Early figures for 2025 suggest the problem is far from resolved. Victims often include black kites, shikras, barn owls, Indian palm squirrels, and even snakes, all of which play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Animal welfare experts argue that while glue traps may temporarily reduce rodent numbers, they fail to address the root cause of infestations, often exacerbating the issue rather than solving it.
Civic Issues and Public Awareness Gap
The persistence of glue traps in Bengaluru underscores the broader failure of public awareness and law enforcement. These traps, often available at local hardware stores and online marketplaces, continue to be sold despite clear legal restrictions. Many shopkeepers and users remain unaware of the ban or choose to ignore it, citing the lack of effective alternatives. Additionally, improper disposal of used traps, often with decaying rodents or birds still attached, creates hygiene hazards, attracts more pests, and poses risks of disease transmission.
Experts warn that Bengaluru’s approach to pest control needs to shift towards sustainable, humane solutions. Cities like Mumbai and Delhi have witnessed successful community-driven rodent management programmes, focusing on waste control, sealing entry points, and promoting natural predators. Bengaluru, in contrast, still relies on outdated and harmful methods, highlighting the urgent need for a citywide campaign on ethical pest control. If unchecked, this issue could escalate into a larger ecological and civic crisis, with rising pest populations and deteriorating urban biodiversity.
Sustainability and Ethical Pest Management
Addressing Bengaluru’s pest problem requires a long-term, eco-friendly strategy. Glue traps disrupt natural predator-prey cycles, affecting bird and reptile populations that help keep rodent numbers in check. Non-lethal solutions, such as catch-and-release traps, better waste disposal, and habitat modification, offer more effective and sustainable results. Urban planners and environmentalists advocate for greater reliance on nature’s own pest control mechanisms, including encouraging species like owls, shikras, and snakes, which naturally regulate rodent populations.
Moreover, municipal authorities must integrate sustainable pest control practices into Bengaluru’s urban planning. Proper sanitation, rodent-proofing buildings, and enforcing stricter regulations on illegal pest control methods can help reduce the demand for harmful traps. Countries like the UK and Australia have already adopted progressive pest management policies, proving that humane methods can be just as, if not more, effective than cruel alternatives. Bengaluru needs to follow suit if it aims to be a more sustainable and animal-friendly city.
Experts Urge Immediate Action and Ban Enforcement
Animal welfare groups, environmentalists, and concerned citizens are calling for stronger enforcement of the glue trap ban, alongside public education campaigns on ethical pest control. While ARRC and similar organisations continue to rescue trapped animals, the onus lies on policymakers and civic authorities to prevent their suffering in the first place. Stricter penalties for those selling and using banned glue traps, coupled with incentives for humane alternatives, could help curb their widespread use.
Bengaluru has an opportunity to set a national precedent for responsible urban wildlife management. By prioritising sustainability, enforcing humane pest control measures, and holding violators accountable, the city can strike a balance between human needs and environmental responsibility. However, without swift and decisive action, glue traps will continue to wreak havoc on the city’s delicate ecosystem, making Bengaluru’s fight against this inhumane practice an urgent one.