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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion of the Sustainability Subcommittee’s Recommendation to Ban the Sale and Use of Glue Traps Citywide; and (2) If Desired, Direction to the City Manager to Draft an Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale and Use of Glue Traps Citywide.
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Meeting Date: May 27, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Wallis Nash/Public Works - EPO
Phone Number: (310) 253-6445
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [X] No [ ]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: Email via GovDelivery: Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/22/2025):
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Director of Public Works, City Engineer (05/07/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) discuss the Sustainability Subcommittee’s recommendation to ban the sale and use of glue traps citywide; and (2) if desired, provide direction to the City Manager to draft an ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of glue traps citywide.
BACKGROUND
At the February 27, 2025 meeting of the City Council Sustainability Subcommittee (Vice Mayor Puza and Council Member McMorrin), the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) made a presentation and requested consideration and passage of a ban on the use and sale of glue traps.
DISCUSSION
A glue trap, also known as a glue board or sticky board, is a pest control measure comprised of a layer of cardboard, plastic or wood, that is coated with a non-drying adhesive or shallow tray of adhesive. The animal becomes trapped in the glue and eventually perishes.
Glue traps are considered cruel because they cause prolonged suffering to animals. When an animal gets stuck, it faces a slow death due to dehydration, starvation, or exposure, as the glue is non-lethal and does not kill instantly. The Centers for Disease Control warns that glue traps should not be used, as animals stuck in glue continue to produce urine and feces through which pathogens such as hantavirus can be spread to humans. Other non-pest creatures, including lizards, birds, and small non-invasive animals, may get caught in the traps and suffer the same fate. Finally, glue traps are ineffective in managing rodent populations, as they do not address the underlying issues causing infestation or reasons why pests are present.
There are many reasonably priced pest control alternatives to glue traps available locally and online that do not involve prolonged suffering or capture of non-intended creatures.
There has been movement nationwide to phase out the sale and use of glue traps. Locally, the cities of West Hollywood and Ojai have already passed glue trap bans (See Attachments 1 and 2, respectively), and Representative Ted Lieu introduced HR 7018, the Glue Trap Prohibition Act of 2024 into the House of Representatives, but it has been referred to a subcommittee at this point.
Glue traps are sold in local retailers such as hardware stores and grocery stores, however, many businesses have elected to voluntarily stop selling glue traps in stores, such as Target, Dollar Tree, CVS, Walgreens, and others.
The Sustainability Subcommittee recommends the ban of the sale and use of glue traps citywide and that an ordinance be drafted and considered by the full City Council.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Exact amounts of sales tax revenue generated by the sale of glue traps is not available, however the fiscal impact is expected to be minimal based on the general trend away from the sale and use of these traps. There is sufficient current funding to expand the Environmental Programs and Operations Education Outreach contract to include glue trap ban outreach.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-05-27-ATT- West Hollywood Ordinance Adopted Glue Trap Ban
2. 2025-05-27-ATT- City of Ojai Ordinance Adopted Glue Trap Ban
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Discuss the Sustainability Subcommittee’s recommendation to ban the sale and use of glue traps citywide; and
2. If desired, provide direction to the City Manager to draft an ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of glue traps citywide for consideration by the City Council at a future meeting.