The Scottish Government has confirmed to BPCA that a ban on the use, supply and possession of rodent glue traps will take effect on July 1, 2026, under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024.
The move follows the introduction of an exclusion under the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, allowing Scotland to proceed with prohibiting sales.
From July 1, 2026, it will be an offence in Scotland to use a glue trap for the purpose of taking or killing any animal, set a glue trap in a way likely to cause injury, supply or offer to supply a glue trap, possess a glue trap, or cause or permit another person to do so. The offences do not apply to invertebrates. Convictions may result in significant fines and imprisonment.
In practice, from that date it will be against the law in Scotland to use a glue trap for rodents without a reasonable excuse.
BPCA has reiterated its support for banning glue traps for the general public, stating they should not be available for untrained or casual use.
However, it is calling for clarity on whether and how professional pest controllers may use glue boards in tightly defined circumstances.
When the legislation was first introduced, the Scottish Government indicated it was open to pest professionals retaining access in specific situations critical to public health. BPCA said clear guidance is now needed on how that would operate in practice.
The association points to rare but serious scenarios where a glue board may be the only viable option to mitigate an immediate risk, such as a rodent sighting in a high-risk food production environment, activity in a hospital setting involving vulnerable patients, or cases where alternative methods would not act quickly enough.
Rosina Robson, BPCA chief executive, said the profession needs certainty.
“Glue boards should not be in the hands of the public,” Ms Robson said. “We support decisive action to prevent misuse.
“But professional pest controllers sometimes face high-risk situations where speed and precision are critical. If the law allows use with a reasonable excuse, we need that route to be clearly defined and workable.
“Public health and safety in sensitive environments must be part of that conversation. Our members need certainty about what is and is not permitted.”
BPCA is engaging with the Scottish Government to seek detailed guidance on what may constitute a reasonable excuse and how any professional use would be authorised, recorded and enforced.
The association has also said it will continue pressing for clear, proportionate glue trap legislation across the UK, including addressing loopholes in England and Wales that allow glue traps to be legally purchased by the public even where their use is restricted.
