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Glue trap First Aid

moonstone Dec 30, 2009 01:25 PM

My baby trans citrus managed to get out of her bin, which has happened before and she usually is on the top shelf of the rack or under it. This time I could not find her. I spent Christmas day tearing the living room apart, and still didn't find her. It finally crossed my mind to look in the kitchen. I thought she may be behind the refrigerator, as it is a warm spot. And she was, stuck in a glue trap. She was still alive, but totally stuck. I use the box types, and the first thing I did was open it flat. Not wanting her to get stuck further, I sprinkled sani chips all over the rest of the glue surface. I use a super trap and stepped on a flat one once and had all to do to get my foot free, my concern was hurting or breaking bones in this 9 incher. She was stuck on her back to the top of the box, which looking back now was probably a blessing. I could not move any part of her body, so decided to soak the trap. As I did the cardboard got really dark, and I decided to rip the cardboard under her in sections. When I ripped the cardboard, the glue came off of it. The glue then easily peeled off her back. I did this one section at a time until she was free. She still has a few sticky patches, but is otherwise perfectly fine.

I hope this helps someone else who I hope never finds themselves in the same situation. Attached is a pic of her post ordeal.

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www.moonstonedragons.com

Replies (7)

angiehusk Dec 30, 2009 05:12 PM

Hey Mark.....that is an OUTRAGEOUSLY crazy experience!! I don't think it will ever happen again anywhere,ever!!But it made for a very interesting story....you better watch that little girl..LOL Glad it turned out O.K.

Moonstone Dec 30, 2009 05:20 PM

Oh I was in panic mode the entire time. Happened Dec 25th or 24th, and she is fine. Legs and tail are all good and she is eating. Spend a lot of time with her to make sure nothing was broken. Not even a toe. I know of someone else who had the problem and just peeled them off. No chance with this kind of trap. We have tons of crickets and latteralis roaches here in Vegas. They come in at night (and i have a dog door) and go outside during the day. I have these glue traps all over the house. I wrapped thread around the boxes to keep dragons out and let bugs in. Kind of like a grate over the end now. Not doing this again.
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www.moonstonedragons.com

PHLdyPayne Dec 30, 2009 10:56 PM

There are several ways to unstick creatures from glue traps other than the methods you used. Smooth peanut butter, olive oil (or any other type of vegetable oil) also work great. Glad you were able to get your dragon unstuck without too much trauma and stress to her.
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PHLdyPayne

Moonstone Dec 30, 2009 11:22 PM

How do you get that between the dragon and the adhesive?
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www.moonstonedragons.com

PHLdyPayne Dec 31, 2009 01:20 PM

The oils dissolve the adhesive I think. When I had a snake get stuck in one I just worked the peanut butter between the loose part of the adhesive and the snake's skin while slowly pulling the adhesive off. Peanut butter is also a bit easier to clean off a snake, as once it dries it just falls off.
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PHLdyPayne

svenson74 Dec 31, 2009 03:38 AM

Nice solution Mark.
By the way; love the little dragon. )

Moonstone Dec 31, 2009 10:38 AM

Thanks, she is the only one I saved from that cross!
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www.moonstonedragons.com

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