Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The Glue Trap Prohibition Act of 2024, H.R.7018 is now before Congress. This bill will make the sale of glue traps illegal.

Rodent management is one thing, purposefully inflicting the type of suffering caused by glue traps is a different story. It’s barbaric.

Glue traps are banned in England, Ireland, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and several U.S. cities. Many stores have stopped selling them. Unfortunately, there are still several stores that continue to sell glue traps.

Glue traps don’t address the root cause. Rodents populate where food is available. Successful deterrents include sealing holes, mint sprays, ultra sonic plug-in devices, and raised and sealed bins. If traps are needed there are humane traps available.

As a compassionate community we must care for all of our members, especially those with no voice. Rodents, and other animals, who get stuck on these traps are intelligent, sentient beings who feel extreme fear, and unbelievable pain.

Please contact your representatives and ask them to support the Glue Trap Prohibition Act. H.R.7018:

Cong. Bill Keating: 202-225-3111

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: 202-224-4543

Sen. Ed Markey: 202-224-2742

Betsy Burmeister

West Tisbury