Updated October 2026.
Yes. As of October 2026, glue traps are legal for residents to buy and use in British Columbia and the rest of Canada. There is no federal, provincial or municipal ban on household use. A few BC municipalities ban them on municipal property only, animal-welfare groups oppose them for rodents, and federal rules for pest-control devices are under review.
Federal rules
In March 2024, responding to House of Commons petition e-4596, the federal government said rodent glue traps are not currently regulated under the Pest Control Products Act. Health Canada has since consulted on a proposal (PRO2025-02) to bring pest-control devices under that Act. In that proposal, indoor glue traps for rodents would remain allowed, and outdoor sticky traps for insects would be allowed only with conditions, such as designs that avoid catching birds and mammals. It is a proposal, not law, as of October 2026.
British Columbia
In September 2024, the Union of BC Municipalities endorsed a resolution asking the province to ban the sale and use of glue traps. The province declined: it said physical traps aren’t regulated by the Ministry of Environment and Parks, and that the Integrated Pest Management Act’s definition of a pesticide doesn’t include glue boards. The province also said that when traps are used for rodents, snap or electronic traps are the best option.
Cities and other provinces
- District of North Vancouver and View Royal: glue traps are banned on municipal property. This does not apply to homes or private businesses.
- Prince Edward Island: a legislative committee recommended a ban in November 2024; check current PEI rules.
- Ontario: a 2019 lawsuit against major retailers was dismissed on standing, without a ruling on glue traps themselves.
The humane concern
The BC SPCA opposes glue traps for rodents, because a caught mouse or rat can live for a long time on the board, and birds, bats and pets are sometimes caught by mistake. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association does not consider glue traps an acceptable way to kill vertebrate animals. For rats, use a rat-sized snap trap instead.
How ZIVASKA recommends using glue boards
- Insects and monitoring: cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, centipedes and crickets, and IPM monitoring with the printed record grid.
- Indoors, in dry spots, folded into a tunnel where pets or children could reach.
- Check at least daily, and deal with any catch promptly.
- Never for rats. Use the ZIVASKA Dual-Tunnel Rat Trap.
Read how to use sticky traps responsibly.
Safety: keep every trap out of reach of children, pets and non-target animals, check traps at least daily, and follow the instructions in the box.
Frequently asked questions
Are glue traps banned in BC?
No. As of October 2026, glue traps are legal to buy and use in British Columbia. The province declined a 2024 request from the Union of BC Municipalities to ban them. The District of North Vancouver and View Royal ban them on municipal property only.
Are glue traps legal in Canada?
Yes. In 2024 the federal government said rodent glue traps are not currently regulated under the Pest Control Products Act. Health Canada has proposed bringing pest-control devices under the Act; as proposed, indoor glue traps for rodents would remain allowed.
Are glue traps humane?
The BC SPCA and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association consider glue traps inhumane for mice and rats. For rodents, BC recommends snap or electronic traps. Glue boards are best used for crawling insects and monitoring, checked at least daily.
Can I use glue traps for rats in BC?
It is legal, but not recommended. Rats can drag or escape boards, and welfare groups consider it inhumane. Use a rat-sized mechanical snap trap instead.
Do glue traps need a Health Canada registration number?
Glue traps that contain no pesticide are not registered as pest-control products in Canada, so they do not carry a PCP registration number.
ZIVASKA is a Canadian, women-owned small business in Burnaby, BC. We sell traps only and do not offer pest-control services. Free shipping across Canada; pickup in Burnaby by appointment only.