Sticky glue mouse and rat bait is intended for indoor use and in this case a member of the public has used it outdoors, contrary to manufacturers recommendations.

FAWNA have put out a public warning about the importance of using any chemical compounds according to the manufacturer's directions. In this case, despite FAWNA's best attempts to remove the poisonous and sticky substance that was causing the feathers to stick to each other and to stop the bird ingesting it, the kookaburra wasn’t able to be saved. 

FAWNA rescuers Jane Duxberry and Susanne Scheuter attempted to treat the bird but were unable to save it.

“The kookaburra had adhesive on its wings, upper body and tail,” Ms Duxberry said.

“After the first wash we realised that the adhesive was not going to come off very easily.”

A similar thing happens with sticky fly traps that are designed for use indoors. When they are used outdoors, FAWNA receives calls about small birds and microbats being caught in them. Again the entrapment is usually fatal to the creature caught.

Residents are urged to read all instructions when using chemical bait to control rats and mice and to ensure they are placed in areas where other wildlife won’t come into contact with the bait.

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