Why do mice die in glue? - briefly
The adhesive immobilizes the rodent, preventing normal respiration and causing severe stress and internal damage that quickly leads to death. Additionally, chemicals present in many traps are toxic, accelerating the fatal outcome.
Why do mice die in glue? - in detail
Adhesive traps consist of a layer of non‑drying polymer that remains tacky after exposure to air. When a rodent contacts the surface, its paws and fur become bound to the resin. The animal cannot free itself because the adhesive bonds to hair and skin at multiple points, distributing the holding force across the body.
The immobilization triggers several fatal mechanisms:
- Inability to reach food or water leads to rapid dehydration and starvation.
- Continuous stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing elevated heart rate and blood pressure, which can precipitate cardiac arrhythmias.
- Loss of mobility prevents normal thermoregulation; body temperature drops, resulting in hypothermia.
- Restriction of chest expansion impedes respiration, producing asphyxiation when the animal cannot open its airway sufficiently.
- Prolonged exposure to the glue’s chemical components may cause dermal irritation and systemic toxicity.
These factors often act simultaneously, overwhelming the rodent’s physiological reserves. The combination of dehydration, hypothermia, respiratory compromise, and cardiovascular stress typically culminates in death within hours to a few days, depending on ambient temperature and the size of the animal.