Welfare Science

Welfare Positive Pest Control Principles

Principles for welfare-positive pest control that minimise suffering while effectively managing pest populations.

Key Facts

Most conventional pest control causes significant animal suffering before death
Sticky traps, glue boards, and some poisons cause prolonged suffering
Rapid-kill methods are more welfare-compatible than slow-acting approaches
Live trapping requires prompt checking to prevent suffering from confinement
Exclusion and habitat modification prevent pest problems without killing animals

Welfare Considerations

Welfare-positive pest control prioritises methods that minimise animal suffering while achieving pest management objectives. Rapid-kill traps, exclusion methods, and habitat modification are more welfare-compatible than sticky boards, slow-acting poisons, or poorly managed live trapping. Applying welfare principles to pest control decisions significantly reduces the suffering caused by routine pest management activities.

What You Can Do

Choose rapid-kill trap designs rather than slow-acting control methods
Check live traps at least twice daily to prevent suffering from prolonged confinement
Prioritise exclusion and habitat modification over lethal control where possible