Flies can be a nuisance in homes and businesses, as they spread germs and diseases. While insecticides and fly swatters can help control fly populations, luring flies with traps allows for a more targeted and eco-friendly approach. There are several effective ways to bait flies using ingredients commonly found in the home.
What attracts flies?
Flies are attracted to certain sights, smells, and environments that are ideal for breeding and feeding. Here are some of the main things that draw flies in:
- Decaying organic matter – Rotting food, manure, and compost piles provide ideal breeding grounds for flies.
- Sugary substances – Flies have a strong sweet tooth and are attracted to sugary foods and drinks.
- Fermenting materials – Flies feed on the yeasts and alcohols produced during fermentation.
- Bright colors – Shiny and vivid colors like yellow, blue, and red catch flies’ attention.
- Warm temperatures – Flies thrive in temperatures between 75-90°F and gravitate toward warm areas.
- Moist environments – Wet, damp areas provide excellent breeding grounds for flies.
- Livestock animals and pets – Flies feed on the secretions and waste products of animals.
- Trash cans and dumpsters – These provide food waste and rotting matter that flies seek out.
- Light – Flies are drawn to natural and artificial light sources.
When making DIY fly traps, it helps to incorporate some of these attractants that flies can’t resist. Targeting their instincts and appetites is key to getting them to swarm your trap.
DIY fly traps
Here are some simple, homemade traps you can make to capture flies:
Sugar and vinegar trap
Flies can’t resist the one-two punch of sugar and vinegar. The sugar lures them in, while the vinegar provides an irresistible scent. Here’s how to make this simple trap:
- Mix 1⁄4 cup of sugar with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in a shallow bowl or jar.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to break the surface tension so flies sink and drown.
- Place the bowl or jar near fly hot spots and wait for flies to take the bait.
Fruit fly trap
This trap specifically targets pesky fruit flies that breed in rotting produce. Simply put:
- Old fruit peels and cores into a jar (banana peels and apple cores work well).
- Add an inch of apple cider vinegar.
- Cover the jar with plastic wrap and poke a few small holes in the wrap.
- Fruit flies will crawl in but won’t be able to escape.
Rotting meat or fish trap
For particularly stubborn houseflies and blowflies, try baiting your trap with rotting meat or fish. This puts out an odor that flies just can’t say no to:
- Place small pieces of raw meat or fish at the bottom of a jar.
- Let it rot for a day or two before deploying the trap (open air works best).
- Once sufficiently rotten, add 2-3 inches of water to the jar.
- Cover the mouth of the jar with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band.
- Poke small holes in the plastic wrap for flies to enter through.
Wine and dish soap trap
Flies are attracted to fermenting fruits like grapes, so wine makes for an irresistible bait. Combine it with dish soap and you have a lethal trap:
- Pour a glass of red wine into a bowl or jar.
- Add several drops of dish soap (foaming soap works best).
- Mix the solution and place in an area where you’ve seen flies.
- Flies will be drawn in by the wine aroma and become trapped in the soap.
For added effect, place the wine trap in a sunny spot on your countertop or window sill to take advantage of flies’ attraction to light and warmth.
Paper cone trap
Sometimes a simple paper cone is all you need to get rid of nuisance flies. Make your own using:
- A paper funnel or cone-shaped paper
- A piece of string
- Scissors
- Sugar water or pieces of fruit
Cut a large circle out of paper, fold it into a funnel shape, and tape the edges to create a cone. Punch a small hole at the tapered end, thread string through the hole, and tie it tightly to seal off the small opening. Hang your cone trap from the ceiling, bait it with sugary liquid or fruit, and wait for flies to find their way in.
Tips for an effective fly trap
Follow these tips to get the most out of your homemade fly traps:
- Use clear plastic wrap over jar openings so flies can see the bait.
- Place traps along fly highways like windows, doors, and countertops.
- To catch more flies, use multiple traps in different locations.
- Clean and refresh traps frequently for best results.
- Try different baits and trap styles to target various fly species.
- Dispose of trapped flies in a sealed bag or container.
- Use traps along with other fly control methods like cleaning and sanitizing.
Common household flies and how to trap them
There are several types of flies commonly found in and around homes. Here are some of the most nuisance flies and what attracts them to traps:
| Fly | Characteristics | Attractants |
|---|---|---|
| Housefly | Large, 6-9mm long. Gray body with 4 stripes on thorax. Enjoys warm temperatures. | Rotting meat, fish, fruit. Fermented items like wine. Sugar water. |
| Fruit fly | Small, 2-4mm. Golden brown or yellow-brown. Flies in a zigzag pattern. | Fermenting fruit like apple cider vinegar. Rotting produce like banana peels. |
| Bottle/Drain fly | Small, 1-5mm. Slender, hairy bodies. Found near drains and moist areas. | Decaying organic matter in drains. Vinegar. Fermenting fruit. |
| Blow/Bluebottle fly | Robust, noisy fliers. Metallic blue or green bodies. 7-12mm long. | Decaying meat, fish. Excrement. Garbage. |
Identifying the type of fly helps choose the best trap bait and location to place the trap for maximum effectiveness.
Other ways to control flies
While DIY traps can capture many flies, a comprehensive fly management strategy should also include:
- Sanitation – Eliminate breeding grounds by cleaning food spills, emptying trash cans, and clearing animal waste.
- Screens – Install tight-fitting screens on windows and doors to keep flies out.
- Fans – Use ceiling fans and box fans to disrupt flies’ flight patterns.
- Fly swatters/zappers – Manually kill flies with electric or regular swatters.
- Natural repellents – Strong scents from essential oils or herbs like mint, lemongrass and basil can deter flies.
- Fly strips – Tape-based strips coated with attractants to snare flies.
- Sprays – Insecticide sprays and foggers can quickly knock down fly populations.
A thoughtful, multifaceted fly control program removes breeding spots while employing trapping and killing methods. This provides immediate population reduction along with ongoing prevention.
Conclusion
Homemade fly traps provide an economical, eco-friendly way to control pesky fly populations. Simple traps can be made with everyday items and use proven attractants like sugar, vinegar, wine, soap, and rotting fruit. Place traps strategically around breeding grounds and fly pathways to snare the most flies. Combine trapping with sanitation and exclusion tactics for the best defense against flies.