Bunnings to ‘phase out’ glue traps in Australia blamed for entrapping native bats after petition

Bunnings said it will phase out three glue trap products used to ensnare insects after it was claimed they caused “horrific pain and suffering” to bats and other wildlife.

A Change.org petition calling for the Australian retail giant to ban the items had garnered a whopping 90,825 signatures on Friday.

Wild Animals Australia’s appeal was kick-started last year when horrific images came to light of native birds and reptiles caught in the highly adhesive traps.

The traps are designed for those who want to get rid of insects without resorting to chemical sprays.

But disturbing photos show a bat, a kookaburra, a silver-eyed bird and a pigeon clinging to the bright yellow traps.

A Change.org petition calling for Bunnings to ban these items had garnered a whopping 90,825 signatures by Friday

Bunnings moved late last year to phase out three outdoor items, including Buzz Fly Paper and Trappit Sticky insect traps (pictured)

Wild Animals Australia claimed captive animals tore and bit off their limbs in a desperate attempt to free themselves (pictured, a pigeon)

The organization claimed the creatures tore and bit off their limbs in a desperate attempt to free themselves.

The petition was launched to persuade Bunnings to stop stocking traps ‘of any kind’ in its stores.

The glue traps cause horrific pain and suffering to any animal that comes into contact with them.

“It can take days for the creature to succumb to dehydration and starvation.”

A volunteer from WIRES told me Yahoo News Australia she had to save two bats from insect traps in two weeks.

Clare, another volunteer, claimed that even if the bats pry themselves free, the glue on their bodies causes them to stick to other objects.

She said a bat was stuck to a metal pole near a woman’s home in 32-degree heat after she got caught in a trap.

‘It would be slow cooking if she hadn’t happened to go through the back door,’ Clare said.

Bunnings moved late last year to phase out three outdoor items, including its Buzz Fly Paper and Trappit Sticky brand insect traps.

The Buzz Outdoor Insect Catcher Refill packs were also in the line of fire.

Adrian Pearce, Bunnings’ General Manager of Merchandise, said the refills are designed to be used in conjunction with a caged protector.

“But we understand there was a risk of them being accidentally trapped if not used as instructed,” Pearce told Daily Mail Australia.

The items will remain for sale in stores until they run out and are no longer available online.

But Bunnings will continue to sell other types of glue traps.

The items will continue to sell in stores until they run out and are no longer available online (pictured, a kookaburra caught in a trap)

The items will continue to sell in Bunnings stores until they run out and are no longer available online

The petition was started to convince Bunnings to stop stocking the traps ‘of any kind’ in his stores (pictured a tangled silver eye bird)

“All other traps we sell are small in size and for indoor use only, and the product packaging clearly reflects this.”

He said Bunnings sells a wider range insect control products, including non-sticky insect traps, such as the Yates Indoor Fly Trap.

“We are satisfied that the products we sell in this category comply with relevant legislation when used in accordance with their intended purpose,” he said.

“We understand that there are differing views on sticky traps and glue traps and we will continue to work with our suppliers and the regulatory authorities to ensure we are well informed about these products.”