Songbirds Caught in Glue Traps: Patients 21-1196, 21-1197 and 21-1198

On October 13, 2021, the wildlife center received three migratory songbirds from two different locations in one hour. Their prognosis? Stuck to spotted Lantern Fly paper.

The Downy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse and Eastern Bluebird were all in critical condition. They joined another Downy Woodpecker who was currently in our care and a Red-Bellied Woodpecker admitted the next day, all for the same reason. Our rehabilitation team was able to safely remove the birds from the glue bands, but sadly, the injuries and stress of being stuck were fatal for many of the birds admitted.

Understand the Repercussion of Using Tape and other Traps

If you use Lantern Fly tape, please remove it immediately or carefully wildlife proof the tape by wrapping it in wire with no more than 1/2 inch wide gaps. Please consider alternative traps that do not harm native wildlife. Please share and help educate your friends, family, neighbors and workplaces that may not know the dangers of sticky tape. You can find information on how to wildlife-proof tape and how to use alternative traps here: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly.

If you find a wild animal stuck to tape, please do not attempt to remove the animal yourself. Cut around the tape and cover any exposed sticky parts with paper towels or tissues. Place the animal, still on the trap, in a very dark box in a quiet location to minimize their stress. Call us or your local wildlife rehabilitator right away!