Flies are attracted to sweet or decaying odors, so use bait that mimics those smells. This may include sugar water, rotting fruit, or fruit juice. However, be aware that fruit flies are often confused with drain flies, as they are both small flies that can be attracted to kitchen areas. Traps designed for fruit flies may not be effective against drain flies. Always identify your species of fly before purchasing a trap—not all flies are attracted to the same traps,” Thomas says. “A successful fly program starts with cleaning up the source of infestation, sealing any entryways, and trapping and/or treating the remaining adults and larvae.” The trap uses a UV LED light to attract flying insects, which are then caught by the trap’s glue card. The thoughtful design hides the dead insects as they pile up on the glue card. This trap advertises 400 square feet of protection, so multiple traps may be required for full home coverage.

Putting traps outside not only helps with outdoor infestations, but can also help with your indoor fly problem as flies are often attracted into the area from items left outdoors. Dr. Thomas says house flies are attracted to “nearby garbage or garbage receptacles, decaying plants, lawn clippings, straw, mulch, and other organic items in the open.” Most fly traps are inexpensive and will catch a large number of flies before they need to be replaced. Reusable traps may be more expensive but will provide good value since you don’t need to be constantly shopping for a replacement. Electric traps will be the most expensive type of trap but are effective at killing a high number of flies and can last for months or even years if well-maintained. Capacity Whether it’s a colony of fruit flies in the kitchen or a house fly that won’t stop buzzing around the trash can, a fly invasion is a huge annoyance. And once they’re inside, it often seems impossible to get rid of them. Traps are designed for inside, outside, or both. For example, zap traps typically can’t be used outside because precipitation and electricity don’t mix. On the other hand, container traps typically have a hook to hang on a post. Choose a trap that works wherever you’re seeing a large number of flies. Safety Once a survey of your premises is completed we will recommend a fly control treatment program that is tailored to your specific fly issues that will provide long-term effective protection against flies. Our fly control service includes:Fly traps can attract more flies, depending on the type of trap you are using. Traps that use bait will attract more flies due to the strong-smelling bait drawing all the insects in the area to the trap. Traps that use light as a lure will attract all the flies within the trap’s radius but will attract fewer than a baited trap. If you are using traps that don’t use any kind of lure, the trap will not attract more flies. The Victor Fly Magnet M380 is the best fly trap that is reusable and suitable for outdoor use. This is a large trap at 32 ounces, and it’s capable of catching up to 20,000 flies. The kit includes three reusable traps, bait refills, and chains for easy hanging outdoors. The trap's lid has four holes for catching multiple flies at once. The container is made of a durable, hard plastic with a clear reservoir to monitor the fly level inside.

This reusable option is best suited for situations when you have a large number of flies in outdoor areas and don’t want to keep replacing traps. Since the strong-smelling bait will attract flies, ensure that you place these traps at least 20 feet away from living areas or other spaces that you’re trying to keep free of flies. Place your fly trap in an area where flies are most likely to be found, such as near doors or windows. Keep the trap away from your kitchen or other food preparation areas. When the trap is full, discard the dead insects into the trash, re-bait, and add water to reuse the trap. The wide mouth of the trap allows easy filling and washing, though keep in mind the trap should not be cleaned in a dishwasher.

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Khamesipour, Faham et al. A Systematic Review of Human Pathogens Carried By the Housefly (Musca Domestica L.). BMC Public Health vol. 18, no. 1. 2018, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5934-3 Dr. Thomas says this type of trap is her recommendation for a typical pest control situation. She says, “for indoor control of flies, I recommend a light trap. These plug-in light traps will capture a variety of species and can be plugged in near the source of infestation.” Most fly traps should automatically attract and trap flies when they venture too close. However, knowing exactly where to place the trap helps yield the best possible results. Here are a few tips we think will help maximize the effectiveness of your new fly trap. We have a range of effective fly control solutions, including Rentokil fly box and electric fly killers . Look for a fly trap that is durable and made from high-quality materials. A well-made trap will last longer and be more effective at catching flies. Care

Change the bait regularly, ideally every few days. As the bait in the trap starts to decompose, it will become less effective over time. The Rescue! Disposable Fly Trap is a disposable hanging fly trap that uses bait to attract flying insects and is our recommendation for the best fly trap for outside your home. Consider the capacity of the fly trap, especially if you’re using it in a commercial or high-traffic area. A larger trap will be able to hold more flies and require less frequent emptying. Durability The type of trap you need will vary depending on your situation. The kind of species you want to target is one of the most important questions to ask, as not all traps will work for every kind of insect. Though most traps on this list are suitable for all flying insects, for infestations of fruit flies you’ll likely want a trap specifically designed for this species, like the Terro Fruit Fly Trap. The non-toxic Safer Indoor Fly Trap is the best fly trap for indoors, especially for homes with curious kids and pets. The trap uses light as a lure so it doesn’t have any chemical insecticides or baits that could be harmful. The trap looks more like a night light or an air freshener than a fly trap and is one of the best-designed on our list, seamlessly blending in with home decor.

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While there is a protective grille and low voltage, Dr. Thomas says she advises families with small children to, “avoid electrical traps that zap insects. These can hurt little fingers if something is injected into the wiring unit.” Because of this, you’ll also want to keep zappers away from pets. Compared to others on our list, this fly trap has a slightly more complex setup, and you’ll need to supply your own string or wire for hanging. Follow the directions on the bag to expose the trap entrance, then add water to activate the bait and hang the trap outside. Lured by the scent, flies enter the trap through the cap and drown in the water. Light traps such as the DynaTrap Flylight Indoor Insect Trap are a more modern fly trap that use UV light to attract insects. These traps are typically used indoors and use a glue card or container to trap the flies. Light traps have the advantage of being pet and kid safe, odorless, and mess-free, though they require electricity to work. Vacuuming - keep carpets, rugs and floors clean and vacuum up dead insects, before applying DIY residual insecticides or know down sprays on adult flies.

Due to the bait’s strong smell, you’ll need to hang the trap at least 20 feet away from any living spaces. If you have a porch or other outdoor living space, you’ll want to hang the trap away from these areas as the trap will attract any insects within smelling distance. Dr. Thomas cautions that, “Liquid fly containers have an attractant that can draw in more flies. They have been known to attract hundreds of flies that may otherwise not have been an issue.” However, Dr. Thomas says these traps work very well and are great to use if you need to kill a lot of flies—you’ll just want to be sure they’re placed outdoors and far away from the areas you’re trying to keep fly-free. Though each ribbon can last up to three months, once the ribbon is full you should throw it away. The disposal method isn’t as clean as other options, but it’s fairly simple. Just wrap the trap in a newspaper, paper, or plastic bag, and throw it in the trash.Most fly traps use either bait or UV light to attract flies. While UV light is harmless, bait may be made from chemicals. If you have pets or children, keep these traps out of reach, or opt for a pesticide-free bait. Zap traps also pose a safety risk if kids or pets touch them. Price Whether you have one stray housefly or a fruit fly infestation, you could benefit from a fly trap. To decide which fly trap is best for your needs, we recommend considering the following factors. Type