Rodent pest control is a major source of wildlife welfare concern, as the methods most commonly used — glue traps and some rodenticides — cause prolonged and severe suffering before death.
Rodent pest control causes enormous welfare suffering globally. Glue traps — which are cheap and widely available — are among the most inhumane control methods in common use, causing animals to die slowly through exhaustion, dehydration, hypothermia, and injury from frantic escape attempts. Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides cause haemorrhagic death over multiple days and additionally kill non-target wildlife including raptors and foxes through secondary poisoning. Electronic kill traps and modern snap traps offer more humane lethal control options. Non-lethal Integrated Pest Management — sealing entry points, removing food sources, and using deterrents — can significantly reduce the need for lethal methods. Consumer pressure, professional pest controller standards, and regulation are all levers for improving rodent pest control welfare.