A pair of New York City lawmakers want to end the sale of mouse traps using glue in New York state.

A.10052/S.9553 was introduced recently by Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, D-New York City, and Sen. Jabari Brisport, D-Brooklyn. The law would add a new section to the state General Business Law to end the production, sale and use of adhesive-based rodent traps. The legislation could be discussed when the next legislative session begins in January.

“The CDC recommends against the use of glue traps, since rodents who are caught in them are likely to urinate, defecate, or bleed which may contain germs that expose humans to diseases,” Epstein and Brisport wrote in their legislative justification. “Additionally, because glue traps are indiscriminate, other animals like birds and house pets are often accidentally caught in them. Mice and rats are highly intelligent, social animals, who experience pain and distress. The use of glue traps is one of the most inhumane methods of capturing rodents. The sale, production, and use of glue traps should be banned entirely in New York state.”

Similar legislation has been introduced in Massachusetts while legislation took effect earlier this year in the United Kingdom. Members of the public or pest controllers would have to receive a license to use a glue trap, with such traps used only if necessary to protect public health. Those who see a glue trap but don’t dispose of it could also face a fine.

Brisport and Epstein cited a 2018 University of Nebraska study that found snap traps captured a total of fifty-four mice per ninety-six traps for a total capture rate of 56.2%, whereas glue traps captured only four mice, for a total capture rate of just 8.3%.

“Many New Yorkers use glue traps as a method of pest control. Glue traps do not instantly kill the rodent; rather, they slowly die over the course of several days due to starvation, dehydration, and exhaustion,” the lawmakers wrote in their legislative justification. “The glue used is also extremely toxic, and burns the animals’ skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. They will often rip off their own skin and fur, cause self-inflicted injuries, and chew their own limbs off trying to escape.”