Tutorial: How to Remove a Snake from Glue Traps
*Examples of Snakes Caught in Glue Traps. © Advocates for Snake Preservation and The Wildlife Center of Virginia.
Another common predicament native, or wild snakes often find themselves trapped in, are glue traps. Glue traps are inexpensive, paper or cardboard switchboards, or sometimes plastic trays or troughs of varying sizes or dimensions coated on one side with a sticky, glue-like substance which are often used to capture insects, rodents, and other pests for pest control management. While these types of traps can oftentimes be effective in capturing an intended pest species, they also pose many other problems for snakes and other wildlife as well. These traps are also indiscriminate, and many smaller snakes, as well as other small reptiles and amphibians, and even sometimes larger adult snakes, can find themselves trapped in them, where they can succumb to suffocation from the glue in these traps, dehydration or desiccation, exposure to elements, and/or exposure to other predators.
What can one do if they have or encounter a snake caught in a glue trap, and what are some better options or solutions for dealing with an intended pest? What are some ways one can lessen the likelihood of snakes or other unintended species getting caught in these traps if glue traps must absolutely be used? Luckily, and if the snake is still alive in the trap, removing a snake or other reptile from one of these traps can be a relatively more simple procedure, with a few supplies and considerations to keep in mind. In this tutorial, we will cover how to remove a snake from one of these glue traps. This tutorial can also similarly be used for snakes stuck on tape, or other sticky surfaces. You should be able to tell whether the snake in the trap is still alive as to whether it is still breathing and/or writhing or moving its body or tongue flicking.
1. Do not Consider Glue Traps: Ideally, do not purchase or use glue traps. These types of traps are widely indiscriminate in the animals which can become trapped in them, and are for the most part, inhumane. Consider using a more eco-friendly, specific, or targeted pest management product or strategy for the pest species one may be dealing with or are intending to avoid or prevent.
*Other wildlife, such as small lizards or other small reptiles, frogs or other amphibians, and even small birds can also become trapped indiscriminately by these glue traps. © Catie Callahan and Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.
2. If Glue Traps Must be Used, or Are the Only Option: Consider other ways of excluding snakes or other non-targeted species. Keep in mind that there are no effective commercial “snake repellants” or other products commonly sold at hardware and garden centers which will really work. Laying out mothballs or Sulphur to deter snakes does not work, as these products contain naphthalene or para- dichlorobenzene, which are toxic to humans, and are illegal to spread out in or around one’s home. If glue traps must be used, make sure any entryways, openings such as open doors or windows, cracks, gaps, or other openings, particularly to garages, basements, and attics are adequately sealed to prevent snakes and other non-targeted wildlife from getting in. No method can deter snakes 100% of the time, but if surrounding vegetation and foliage are properly trimmed and maintained, and any excess debris in and around the property are cleaned up and removed, this will reduce hospitality for snakes greatly by reducing their opportunities for cover and shelter, and also reducing their food sources, such as rodents.
3. Properly Identify the Snake: First and foremost, be able to properly identify the snake. Both venomous and nonvenomous snakes can become stuck in glue traps depending on the area one lives in, and whether both may be present. If the snake happens to be a venomous species, do not attempt to free or handle the snake oneself if one does not have the proper training or experience with venomous reptiles! Doing so can be a potentially dangerous situation, as an stuck venomous snake is still fully capable of biting and causing an envenomation. In such instances, contact your state’s Department of Natural Resources, herpetological society, or other experienced and qualified individual! Also keep in mind that when it comes to identifying the snake, the many “rhymes”, “rules of thumb”, or other phrases which are out there (such as eye or pupil shape, head shape, etc.) are oftentimes not reliable and are of little to no use for determining whether a snake is venomous or not. When in doubt as to what species the snake may be, it is always best to consult the above resources!
4. Be Aware of the Snake’s Behaviors, Even if Nonvenomous: If the snake can be 100% positively identified to be a harmless, or nonvenomous species, further steps can be taken to remove the snake from the glue trap with relative safety. Keep in mind, however, that even many non-venomous snakes can still bite, defecate, or excrete a bad smelling substance called “musk” when they are threatened, as with any wild animal. Many snakes can also hiss loudly, rattle their tails, or engage in other startling defensive behaviors as well. If the snake has been identified to be a state or locally threatened, endangered, or otherwise legally protected species, also consult your state’s Department of Natural Resources for further instructions and assistance.
*Examples of safe, non-toxic cooking oils or sprays which can be used to remove a snake from a glue-trap. © Reader’s Digest and Zim Eye.
5. Removing the Snake from the Glue Trap: First, and if need be, move or take the trap to an area which can be safely and easily worked with, out of the sun or other elements, and away from any hot or cold surfaces. Using a non-stick cooking oil or vegetable spray, spray the other areas of the trap in which the snake has not touched in order to prevent it from becoming re-stuck if it writhes or moves around. This non-stick spray neutralizes the glue of the trap, allowing the snake to be safely removed or to escape. Be sure to use a non-toxic spray to snakes or other animals, and also avoid using too much on the snake. Alternatively, one can pour the cooking oil over the snake’s body where it has been stuck, and then gently wipe and manipulate the snake off of the trap as the glue becomes deactivated along with a wash-cloth.
6. Very carefully spray the areas around the snake where it has been caught in the trap, but be sure to be careful as to not spray the snake on the head or face. A rag, paper towel, or Q-tip sprayed with the non-stick oil can be used to work around the snake’s head if that area happens to be stuck in the trap. It may take at least several minutes to an hour or so for the glue to become completely neutralized, so a bit of patience is also important. A snake can be slowly and gently worked off of the trap as this occurs, but do not forcibly try to pull or remove the snake from the trap, as this can cause further injury to them by tearing their delicate skin or scales.
7. Examine and Assess the Snake Afterwards: Once the snake has been freed from the trap, dispose of the trap, and examine the snake’s condition. If the snake appears to be in overall good condition, active, and responsive, it can usually be safely re-released into a suitable nearby area outside. The snake may still be sticky and covered in the cooking oil spray, but usually will either be able to survive and be able to shed its skin from the residue, or the extra step can be taken to rinse and clean the snake off with water before being released. Do not worry if a few scales of the snake end up being lost anyway due to the trap. As long as their skin has not been torn, snakes and other reptiles can easily regrow or heal from lost or damaged scales as they shed their skin.
8. If the snake is still alive and in decent body condition, but appears weak, lethargic, or otherwise inactive, it may require additional opportunity to recover and recuperate. If this is the case, the snake can either be released in a quiet and secluded, shaded, or covered area with ready access to cover or shelter out of the elements and possible predators for the opportunity for it to recover and then move on its way, or can be kept temporarily in a secure, escape proof, and well-ventilated box or plastic container. Keep in mind that all snakes can be escape artists, and the last thing anyone would want would be the snake to escape or become loose in one’s house. Periodically check on the snake in several hours to monitor its alertness and progress. If the snake appears to be active, alert, and responsive, it can be safely re-released outside in a nearby suitable area. Whenever in doubt, consult your local wildlife veterinarian or wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization.
*These methods can similarly be used to remove snakes stuck to tape, or other sticky surfaces. © Buddy Miles.
Lastly, when it comes to both garden and landscape netting, and glue traps, raise awareness and educate others and the community about the dangers these products or situations oftentimes pose for not only snakes, but other native reptiles, amphibians, and wildlife, and encourage them either to not purchase or use them, or encourage safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives mentioned above.