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Summer brings with it many great things, from fresh farm food to awesome parties and BBQs. However, unless you have homemade fly traps that work, this season might not prove to be as relaxing and enjoyable. This is because summer season and the beginning of fall usually bring with it a lot of flies.
How Do I Get Rid of Them?
But who said that you have to cope with all the pesky flies that summer brings? With a good fly trap, you can keep these annoying pests at bay and enjoy the summer season to the full. However, this does not necessarily mean that you buy those expensive fly traps sold in the market; you can still make high-quality traps at your very own home.
Homemade fly traps not only save you a lot of money, but also ensure that you do not keep making regular visits to the stores to purchase these.
What Is The Best Homemade Fly Trap?
In this article, we discuss the two best types of homemade fly traps and how you can construct these using simple, home products. Read on!
1. Making a Homemade Fly Trap with a Plastic Soda Bottle
Unlike most flyswatters, homemade fly traps made using plastic soda bottles are not messy. Also, these traps are very safe, since they lack any harmful chemicals which could cause serious health concerns when released into the air. They can be used either indoors or outdoors.
Plastic soda bottle fly traps are usually baited with attractive substances, such as sweetened water. Upon smelling the bait, ordinary flies are lured into the bottle, either to feed or lay eggs. They are then trapped inside the bottle, so that they cannot fly back up the bottle’s narrow opening.
Materials Needed:
- Cutting Board
- Serrated Knife
- Bait (preferably a ripe fruit)
- Empty, Plastic Soda Bottle
- Permanent Marker
- Hole Punch (optional)
- Firm Piece of String/Wire (for hanging the fly trap)
- Vinegar
Step 1.
Using a permanent marker, make a line drawing around the plastic bottle (the line should be drawn just beneath the tapered neck of the bottle). With a sharp, serrated knife, cut along the line drawing, such that you severe the bottle top. To prevent any damage on the table surface or counter, it is recommended that you cut the bottle on a clean cutting board.
Step 2.
To assemble the plastic soda bottle fly trap, remove the cap then turn over the bottle upside down. Slide the soda cap to the bottom, such that it resembles a funnel. Alternatively, you can keep the soda cap on. However, if you decide to do this, make a large hole in the cap, such that flies will be able to get down to the bottle traps. The major advantage about keeping the soda cap on is that it prevents the flies from escaping.
Step 3.
Remove the ‘funnel’, and add the bait of your choosing. It is important to note that flies are usually lured by organic materials that are decaying. They are also attracted by feces and meat, especially when they’re seeking to lay eggs; however, you would want to use these as your bait considering the filthy smell of decayed feces and meat.
Some effective ideas for bait that you can use include:
- A slightly over-ripe fruit
- Honey water
- Dish soap with a fruit scent
- Water and sugar solution mixed in equal parts
- Maple syrup (use this if you wish to create a sticky bait solution)
Step 4.
For outdoor fly traps, you are recommended to use a stronger and more pungent bait. Also, add a small amount of vinegar to the bait, to keep bees and wasps out of the homemade fly taps.
Step 5.
If you wish to make yours a hanging fly trap, make 2 small holes at the top of the plastic bottle. Both holes should penetrate the two layers of the fly trap. Then, pass a piece of wire through both holes, thread it firmly and crimp the ends. Your plastic soda bottle fly trap should be ready to hang and use!
2. Making a Homemade Fly Trap with a Dish Bowl
This trap is specifically recommended for indoor use.
Materials Needed:
- Shallow Dish Bowl
- Apple Cider Vinegar
(or any other fruit scented dish soap)
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- Plastic Wrap (optional)
Step 1.
In a shallow dish bowl, mix a small amount of apple cider vinegar with sugar. Then, add several drops of the fruit-scented dish soap to the paste.
Step 2.
Cover the dish bowl with plastic wrap. However, this is optional; you can leave it uncovered if you like. Poke a few holes in the bowl to attract the flies into the trap. Your homemade fly trap will then be ready to use!
Tips to Make Your Homemade Fly Trap Work
In colder areas, flies usually come about in the spring and summer, when the sun begins to warm homes. However, in warmer areas, flies may linger for a longer period, hence requiring constant use of homemade flies.
Obviously, you want your fly trap to work effectively and catch as many flies as possible. The following are tips on how you can increase the efficiency of your plastic soda bottle fly trap:
- Set the homemade fly traps immediately you see the first flying pests – By doing so, you will be able to trap most flies before they can lay eggs and multiply.
- For warmer environments, or households that live near pastures and animal pens, keep the homemade fly traps in place during all the warm months.
- Regularly empty the fly trap, removing all dead flies. Also, ensure that you re-bait the trap on a regular basis.
- When you use animal droppings or meat as your bait, regularly check for any larvae in the trap and destroy these, if any. To kill the larvae, you can rinse the plastic bottle with hot water. Better yet, you can create a fresh new fly trap.
Summer is supposed to be an enjoyable season. Yet, all the flies that come with this season can turn this from being the best to the worst season. After all, there is nothing more annoying in the world than persistent flies.
However, with homemade fly traps that work, you can keep flies away and promote a relaxing environment. Therefore, follow the above suggestions on how to make these fly traps, and you will not only save a lot of cash but also maximize your wonderful summer experience!