Welfare of Animals in Pest Control

Rodent and pest control kills billions of animals annually using methods that often cause prolonged suffering.

Key Facts

Rodenticides are estimated to kill tens of millions of small mammals globally each year
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides cause multi-day deaths from internal bleeding
Snap traps kill instantly when placed correctly but often cause injury and slow death when misplaced
Glue traps are considered among the cruellest pest control methods and are banned in several countries
Integrated pest management reduces reliance on lethal control through habitat modification

Welfare Considerations

Pest control represents a vast area of largely unregulated animal welfare harm. The scale of rodenticide use means hundreds of millions of animals die slowly from internal bleeding each year, and the secondary poisoning of raptors and foxes that eat poisoned rodents compounds the welfare harm. Glue traps cause days of suffering before death from dehydration, injury, and distress. Welfare-conscious pest management requires transitioning to quick-kill methods and preventive approaches.

What You Can Do

Never use glue traps for rodent control
Use snap traps or electric traps as more humane alternatives to rodenticides
Prevent pest problems through habitat modification — seal entry points, remove food sources
Advocate for glue trap bans in your jurisdiction
Choose pest control companies committed to humane and integrated management approaches