Buzz
Flies are highly annoying insects, whether they appear indoors, in hallways, or in gardens. While you can buy traps and sprays to eliminate them, store-bought products often contain chemicals with unpleasant odors and potential health risks. Fly swatters are only effective for killing individual flies but struggle to stop an entire swarm. A great natural solution is to create your own fly trap. With a few quick steps, you can take control of the problem and work toward eliminating flies from your sight.
Steps
Making a Bottle Fly Trap
Get an empty soda bottle. You can use one that’s been emptied or pour out the soda. Ensure no soda remains inside, then rinse it thoroughly with warm water.
Use scissors to cut off the top of the bottle. Insert the sharp end of the scissors into the side of the bottle, just below the neck where it widens (near the middle of the bottle).
- After making a hole in the side, insert the scissors and cut around the circumference of the bottle. This will separate the bottle into two parts: the funnel (top part) and the base (bottom part).
- Try to cut as close to the edge of the funnel as possible; otherwise, the funnel won’t stay securely in place when flipped upside down.
- You can also use a sharp knife to cut the top, but be careful to avoid cutting yourself. If working with children, scissors are the safer option.
Flip the neck of the bottle upside down and place it into the lower half. If cut precisely, the funnel should fit snugly inside the base.
Attach the two halves together. The easiest way is to use staples to secure the edges. Simply staple three or four times around the bottle, spacing them evenly.
- If working with children, an adult should handle the stapling. If staples aren’t available, consider these alternatives:
- Waterproof tape is a good option. Apply three or four strips around the funnel.
- If using strong glue or regular adhesive, ensure it’s waterproof. Apply a thin layer around the inner rim of the base before inserting the funnel. Press the funnel and base together firmly and hold until the glue dries.
Create a sugar syrup mixture. Add 5 tablespoons of sugar to a pot. Place it on the stove and spread the sugar evenly across the bottom.
- Pour in enough water to barely cover the sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it boils.
- Stir the mixture well. Sugar dissolves in hot or warm water to form a simple syrup, but boiling it creates a thicker, more concentrated bait. Let the mixture cool until it’s lukewarm.
Use a spoon to pour the mixture into the funnel. Try to drizzle it along the sides so flies will get stuck immediately upon landing.
Try a different mixture. You can chop up a few apple pieces and push them through the funnel into the bottle. A piece of raw meat or a few tablespoons of old wine also work well. Alternatively, simply pour in some water mixed with sugar or honey.
Add vinegar. If using a liquid bait, include a few teaspoons of vinegar, preferably white vinegar. The vinegar will deter bees or other unwanted insects from entering the trap.
Place the bottle in sunlight. This will speed up the decay of the fruit/meat, increasing its attractiveness to flies, while the liquid mixture will evaporate, creating a fly-attracting scent.
Blow into the bottle several times. This can enhance effectiveness as insects are often drawn to heat and carbon dioxide. You can also rub your hands on the bottle to generate additional warmth.
Dispose of the bottle. Once the bottle is full of flies, discard it and create a new one. Eventually, your fly trap loses its utility and needs to be replaced. Cleaning the old bottle is challenging as flies and bait stick firmly inside the funnel, and handling fly remains by hand is unpleasant.
Creating a fly trap using a tin can
Select an appropriate tin can. A medium-sized dog food can or soup can works best. Remove the label, open the lid, and wash it thoroughly with warm water. Let it dry before proceeding to the next step.
Cut a strip of adhesive tape. The strip should be long enough to wrap around the can. Avoid touching the sticky side or letting dust settle on it, as this will reduce the trap's effectiveness.
Wrap the tape around the can. Press the tape firmly against the can with your hands. Then, gently rub to ensure the adhesive sticks properly to the surface.
Remove the tape. The surface of the can will now be sticky. Lightly touch the can to test its stickiness. If it doesn’t feel sticky enough, apply another strip of tape.
Attach a small flashlight to the underside of the can lid. Secure the tail of the flashlight to the lid. This will serve as the base of the fly trap. If you can find a UV flashlight, it’s even better, as flies are most attracted to UV light.
Take the can outdoors at night. Place the can upright so the sticky surface can effectively trap flies. Turn on the flashlight and place it inside the can. Ensure the flashlight stands straight and use fresh batteries for optimal performance.
Wait for the flies to arrive. Flies will be drawn to the light and will get stuck on the adhesive-coated surface of the can.
Replace the can if needed. If the trap successfully catches flies, it’s best to dispose of the can. Remember to wear gloves when handling the can to avoid touching the flies. Prepare a plastic bag to wrap the fly trap before throwing it in the trash.
Creating a fly trap using a glass or plastic jar
Find a small jar. You can use a glass jar (like a jam jar) or a plastic container that holds items such as nuts or peanut butter. A lid is not necessary.
Pour vinegar into the jar. Purchase a bottle of apple cider vinegar and fill the jar to a depth of about 2.5 cm. The apple cider vinegar will attract flies into the jar.
Add a bit of dish soap to the vinegar. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid or detergent to the vinegar to break the surface tension. Otherwise, flies might stand on the surface and drink it all.
Place fruit/raw meat in the trap. Instead of using vinegar and dish soap, you can use fruit and meat. Simply chop the bait into small pieces and place them at the bottom of the jar. The smell of decaying food will lure flies into the jar.
- Change the bait depending on the type of fly you want to catch. For fruit flies, use bananas, or use raw potatoes if you want to catch fungus gnats. For house flies, anything with a strong odor will work.
Cover the jar opening with plastic wrap. Tear off a piece of plastic wrap at least 7.5 x 7.5 cm and securely cover the jar opening. If the wrap doesn’t stick well, use tape to secure it or wrap a rubber band around it.
Poke holes in the plastic wrap. Use a toothpick, scissors, knife, etc., to create at least four holes in the wrap. These holes will allow flies to enter the trap.
Place the trap outdoors. Flies will enter the trap through the holes in the plastic wrap. However, they won’t be able to escape because they can’t find the holes. They will also feed on whatever is inside the jar.
Eliminate the flies. Some flies will die in the jar over time. Others, however, will consume whatever bait you’ve placed inside. Bring the trap indoors and place it near the sink. Run hot water into the sink, ensuring the drain is plugged to fill it. Once the sink is full, submerge the jar for about 10 minutes to drown the flies.
Dispose of the dead flies. Remove the plastic wrap and discard it. Turn the jar upside down over a trash can and tap its sides. Continue tapping until all the flies and bait mixture fall out.
Sanitize the jar. You can easily sanitize the jar by washing it with soap and warm water. Alternatively, use safe cleaning chemicals to disinfect it. Once clean, the jar can be reused for another trap.
Create your own flypaper
Find a food-grade paper bag. The bag should be relatively tall, as you'll need long strips for the flypaper. Avoid using plastic bags, as the adhesive mixture won't stick to plastic.
Cut the paper into strips. Use scissors to cut strips approximately 2.5 cm wide and 15 cm long. You'll need 4-5 strips. Lay them flat on a table once cut.
Punch holes in the strips. Use scissors or a knife to make a hole about 2.5 cm from the top of each strip. Repeat this for all strips. A hole puncher can also be used if available.
Thread and tie the strings. Cut a piece of string or use a wire at least 15 cm long. Each strip requires one piece of string. Thread it through the hole and tie securely.
Prepare the sugar mixture. Combine equal parts sugar, honey, and water in a pot. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it dissolves completely. Allow it to cool afterward.
Dip the paper strips into the mixture. Coat each strip thoroughly with the syrup. Place the strips on baking paper and let them dry.
Hang the paper strips. Use nails or hooks to hang the strips. You can place them close together or spread them around the house. Clustering the strips tends to yield better results.
Dispose of the paper strips. Once the strips are covered with flies, simply remove and discard them. If the strips aren’t effective, it might be due to insufficient syrup. Re-dip them or create new strips from scratch.
Tips
- Ensure the flashlight has new batteries and is fully charged.
- If you prefer not to drown flies in the sink, you can use insect spray to kill them in method 3.
- Instead of using half a bottle as a funnel in method 1, you can opt for a paper funnel. Simply roll a sheet of paper into a funnel shape and attach it to the bottle.
- It's crucial to identify the type of fly you're dealing with. For instance, house flies typically enter from outside or garbage areas, fruit flies are attracted to overripe fruit, and fungus gnats thrive in damp plant soil.
- The most effective way to eliminate flies is to remove what attracts them. Keep your home clean and seal any gaps in windows or screens.
Warning
- If the trap attracts dangerous insects like wasps, use insect spray to kill them before approaching the trap.
- Ensure you use safe chemicals when disinfecting containers.
- This type of trap attracts flies, so place it away from dining areas.
