Glue Trap Rescues

[Aviara]

The store where I now work uses glue traps to survey moth infestations so we can wipe them out quickly. Being a pet store, we have to be very careful about pest control, because we will not use any form of pesticide in-store (which I am very happy about since we carry small animals, reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians, etc.). However, the problem with the glue traps is that they are also catching other animals, especially Mediterranean house geckos. Many have tried before me and failed to get management to agree to stop using them, so I know that isn't an option. Also, I know that these house geckos are an invasive species here in Texas, but I still feel bad for them when their tummies are stuck in the trap and they're slowly dying next to their decaying friends, and they do help control some of our in-store bugs, including escaped crickets.

What are some methods for freeing these little guys without hurting them further? Obviously they have extremely fragile skin and scales on their stomachs, and with very little force the situation could be made even worse. I'd like to have something on-hand at the store, if there is anything, that we could use to attempt to free them from the traps the next time they get stuck. I've heard cooking oil will work, but does it? And are there better solutions? Most of my research on the Internet led me to pest control sites recommending the use of glue traps for lizard "infestations".

 

[pitbulllady]

Man, I hate those glue traps! I've seen reptiles injure themselves horribly while trying to escape from those things, and no animal, not even a pest like a house mouse, deserves to suffer like that. Even poison is more humane and quick, and THAT is saying something!
You can use Pam cooking spray or vegetable oil to slowly release the glue, but it's not instant. It still takes several minutes for it to work and for the animal to be able to get loose, and often by the time you discover it, the poor thing is too exhausted from struggling to be able to free itself even with the glue temporarily dissolved. If it's stuck flat, it takes time for the oil to work its way underneath the animal, too, and it's not uncommon for the animal to have already sustained serious injuries like rips to its skin, eyeballs torn out, tongues torn out, toes ripped off, etc. from its struggles. In the case of geckos and anoles, the lamulae on their toes will have been torn off, so they won't be able to climb until after they shed. It seems to me that those green cone traps used to survey insect pests in agricultural areas would do a better job of trapping moths for that purpose, since that's what they are designed for. They are non-lethal, so if checked on a frequent basis, anything trapped inside can be released unharmed, and they are target-specific, using pheromones to attract insects. Any incidental trapping of non-insects in accidental and fairly rare, and like I said, they won't be harmed and can easily be released. Check with your nearest agricultural supply store or county extension office; you shouldn't have any trouble finding those in TX. Those things aren't very expensive, either, and can be used over and over again with fresh pheromone supplies. If it's flying insects you're targeting, that's the way to go. Let the geckos take care of the rest!

pitbulllady

 

[BQC123]

Mineral oil has worked well for releasing my accidental catches. My only casualties have been when a catch went unnoticed. they are a real pain to release and extreme care is required. I use these for fly infestations, and prefer to put in a small container, with small wire mesh to coverm, and heep non-target animals out.

 

[Louise E. Rothstein]

Could the glue traps be caged?
Could a glue trap cage keep "bycatch" animals out?

Would somebody try it?

And report results?

This could be interesting.

---------- Post added 12-05-2012 at 10:45 PM ----------

This may have already been done:
If Arachnobaron's "small container with small wire mesh" did "heep" "non-target animals out" he may have already demonstrated a "glue trap cage."

 

[BQC123]

I was caging mine by putting in a small, shallow container and fitting a wire mesh lid. 1/8" kept everything out but fungus gnats and fruit flies, which I was targeting. I used these in cages with small herps without any incidents.