Flies are an inconvenience that everyone would prefer to avoid. However, eliminating flies from your home is simple with a handmade fly trap. You may learn to make different home fly traps and fruit flies traps using common household objects and a little ingenuity and DIY know-how. You’ll even discover which bait is most effective.
Below are the three most commonly used DIY fly traps at home.
DIY Vinegar Fly Trap
A vinegar fly trap is the easiest to create and the most effective for fruit flies.
- To begin, gather a shallow plate or bowl.
- Fill it with an inch or two of apple cider, possibly mixed with sugar, and some bait.
- Add some fruit-scented dish soap to the bowl next. Because the dish soap reduces surface tension, flies are unable to land on the liquid. They sink and drown instead.
This trap will work as-is because the flies can’t stand the scent and will dive right in to drown in the liquid, but we recommend covering the bowl with saran wrap that has a few holes put in it (holes that are just large enough for the flies to get through). All flies that come to examine will be imprisoned in this manner, even if they do not fall into the liquid.
Some claim that this method traps more flies, while others claim that fewer flies make their way into the trap in the first place. However, if you use the appropriate kind of bait, that should be enough to keep them coming back.
Bottle Fly Trap
You almost certainly have everything you need to construct a homemade bottle fly trap on hand:
- All you need is an empty plastic container of some kind—any size soda, juice, or water container.
- Something sharp to cut with, such as scissors or a knife.
- Some tape—duct or packaging tape is ideal, but Scotch tape will suffice.
- Finally, you’ll need some fly bait to attract them.
You can now start putting together your trap.
- First, remove the bottle’s cap. Make sure you cut the broadest part of the bottle so that when you invert the upper lid, it doesn’t fall in.
- Fill the bottom half of the bottle with a few inches of liquid-mixed bait.
- Invert the bottle and place the top half on top of the bottom half.
- Tape around the outside border to keep it in place and prevent flies from crawling out.
Your homemade fly trap is now complete! Place it in areas where there is a high concentration of flies, such as near a garbage can, sink, or fruit basket. They will be drawn to the smell and will fall into the bottle. Fortunately, flies aren’t the brightest of creatures and will be unable to escape via the small opening. When there are enough flies in the bottle, toss it outside and replace it.
Wine Bottle Fly Trap
Fruit flies are drawn to delicious, crimson juices. Red wine is ideal, though white wine can also be used.
- Take an almost empty bottle and fill it with roughly an inch of wine.
- Then, take a huge piece of paper and shape it into a cone with a hole just large enough for flies to fit through.
- Place the paper cone in the wine bottle’s opening, then tape it in place if necessary.
Once again, the fly’s lesser intelligence will allow it to find its way in but not out of the tiny hole. If you don’t have a wine bottle, any cup or jar will suffice. Fill it with your favorite sweet bait and liquid, then place the paper cone on top. Place it in areas where flies are a major issue.
Fly Baiting Tips
These traps are designed to catch flies in liquid, so whatever flavor bait you choose, make sure it floats in enough liquid to drown the flies. Water, juice, vinegar, or wine are all acceptable.
A spray of vinegar will keep bees and other beneficial insects out of your trap.
Add a little dish soap to dissolve the surface tension and allow the flies to drown.
Faqs
What Kind of Fly Bait Is Best?
The type of bait you require is determined by the type of fly you have. The better the bait, the more effective your trap will be. You could experiment with various types to see which one works best for you.
Fruit Fly bait consists of the following ingredients: Use fruit (the riper the better), apple cider vinegar, fruit juice, syrup, wine, beer, or any combination of these ingredients.
Bait for House Flies, Bluebottles, and Blowing Flies: A mixture of sweet and meat is probably the best way to cover all of your bases. Combine meat leftovers (the older the better) with something sweet (see list below). Many people swear by rotten fish or shrimp, which presumably work best because they stink the most.
What liquid attracts flies?
How do I get rid of flies fast?
Will vinegar attract flies?
What naturally keeps flies away?
Do dryer sheets repel flies?