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Homemade fly traps
DIY
Yes, you guessed it, when it comes to homemade fly traps, DIY is sure to be your friend (or enemy) when deciding which fly trap to create. Despite getting a bad name in the community for shoddy designs and useless creations, there are some real valuable traps to be made if you choose the right one.
Before deciding which homemade fly trap to create, it’s important to consider the different ones available, as well as the type of fly you’re trying to catch.
DIY fly traps
Most DIY fly traps will catch a wide range of flies. However, some are better placed to capture specific types than others. Most people tend to stick with traditional methods like the fly swatter. Whilst these are effective in smaller scenarios, a more considered approach is usually required to battle fly infestations. Here are some quick-fire trap suggestions, using the fruit fly as an example.
Before we start, it’s probably appropriate to cover what a fruit fly actually is.
Fruit flies
Like many other fly species, fruit flies go through a four-stage life cycle: starting as eggs, they undergo larval and pupal stages before developing into adults. The early life stages span approximately a few days. Worryingly, fruit flies can complete their development in as little as a week if the conditions are right. Adult fruit flies can also live up to 30 days!
The worst thing to note is that the common fruit fly is known for its ability to reproduce rapidly. This means a fruit fly infestation could occur in a short space of time, creating a sense of urgency for homeowners to fight back quickly!
Fruit flies tend to infest homes with ripe, rotting, or decayed fruit and vegetables. They also feast on fermented items such as beer and wine. The main problem areas tend to be drains, garbage disposals, trash cans, and mop buckets.
The purpose of that information was to not only inform, but scare you too. Most homeowners underestimate the power and aggressive nature of the common fruit fly. However, worrying wasn’t the end goal of that information. You need to be aware of the enemy before you choose a method to stop them.
Let’s cover some simple fly traps, designed to capture and kill the fruit fly.
Fruit fly trap
The most common type of fly trap that you’re likely to encounter is the traditional dish trap, using apple cider vinegar and dish soap. By placing a dish on the countertop with these ingredients, flies will quickly swarm to it in the hopes of getting the sweet vinegar. However, once they land, they sink into the mixture as the dish soap cuts the surface tension of the liquid. Whilst this is effective, it won’t cope with the demands of a larger infestation.
You could also try a similar idea using a leftover wine bottle. Flies will arrive to try the sticky wine residue left in the bottle, but will be unable to navigate their way back out of the bottle. This same principle will work with beer too.
Finally, given the fact that fruit flies are attracted to sweet and sticky materials, old leftover soda bottles will also work. Try leaving one outside on a hot day with some leftover soda still in the bottom. Fruit flies will be unable to resist the contents of the bottle, leaving themselves trapped inside to die. However, similar to the previous ideas, this will only work with small-scale problems.
With that being said, if you combine and alternate these three simple methods, you will still see noticeable results. We suggest combining this with regular cleans of the kitchen, aiming to store fruit and leftover food in air-tight containers. This means you’ll benefit from the capturing of the flies, whilst reducing the potential for further ones arriving.
Also make sure to check the trash, as flies love to breed and live inside the rotting produce. Aim to take out the trash regularly, and even clean the trash can where possible. We know this is a gross job, but if you’re serious about stopping these bastards then every avenue must be considered.
We go into much more detail about fruit fly traps you can make at home here!
Homemade fly trap
Besides traps designed to attract fruit flies, there are also a whole host of creations that will capture other fly species like the housefly. Let’s cover the basics…
UV light traps can be extremely effective to stop flies in their tracks. The UV light attracts flies towards it, before zapping them dead in close proximity. Most people say that these are most effective in the evening, but we’ve seen great results in the daytime too.
Flypaper is also a quick and easy way to kill flies. Some stores offer this, but it’s pretty simple to create your own. The only piece of advice we’d give is to empty and re-hang the flypaper regularly. Dead flies hanging around your home aren’t a pleasant sight. This is one of the reasons why flypaper isn’t so popular, but don’t let it stop you.
If you’re looking for less ‘harsh’ methods to capture flies, then a Venus flytrap could be the answer. The clue is in the name. If you have space in the garden, this plant can act as your secret ally, digesting outdoor flies before they reach your home. These are silent killers, helping you dispose of any unwanted guests from your perimeter. These are awesome but don’t rely on them to take care of the problem entirely, they work slowly and will only deal with a few unwanted flies.
Finally, a weak spot for flies that should be exploited is their eyesight. The average fly has very sensitive vision, meaning traps can be created to take advantage of this weakness. A common one we like to use is the ‘disco ball trap’. Not only is this effective, but its probably the easiest trap to create too. Take a transparent plastic bag and fill it with water. Next, seal the top and hang outside in areas where you know the flies like to travel. When sunlight shines on the bag and the wind conditions move it gently, the bag will shine in the fly’s eyes, providing a disco ball effect. This will blind the flies, causing them to travel elsewhere. Pretty cool, right?
Essential oils
Essential oils are another great way to repel flies from the home. The biggest advantage these provide to homeowners is that they’re natural, meaning nasty chemicals aren’t needed to achieve your goal.
Various oils will work, but we recommend citronella oil. To us humans, this smells great. However, flies hate it. You can choose how you use this oil to your advantage, but an effective way is via the use of candles. Try using multiple candles around entry points around your home like windowsills and open doorways. These will act as a surrounding ‘barrier’ when the flies arrive. The smell will deter them and it will also leave your house smelling great!
You can also opt for other oils like lavender which will work great too. We just consider citronella oil to be the most effective from past experiences.
Repellent
Before you ask, yes, fly sprays do work. Although, despite their success, most store-bought sprays have various chemicals that can be harmful to you and your pets if not used correctly. In our minds, it's counterintuitive to use a spray that will hurt the flies and yourself in the process.
If done correctly, homemade fly traps and essential oils should be enough on your quest to defeat the fly.
Besides traps alone, the best way to repel flies is to create an inhospitable environment for these pesky guests. As we mentioned previously, flies are generally attracted to dirty environments. Regardless of whether it’s fruit flies or houseflies, leftover food and wet surfaces are bound to act as a beacon for unwanted guests. Here are some simple tips to keep your house primed to repel future fly visitors.
Your main priority should be to regularly clean your home, ensuring leftover food is stored away and surfaces are cleaned. In addition, aim to close windows and other entry points where possible. Similarly, with drains, aim to use drain cleaner when cleaning the bathrooms and kitchens. Flies like to reproduce in these areas so thorough cleans should stop this from happening.
Similarly, if you choose to have a BBQ or outdoor event, stive to clean up the BBQ and surfaces when you’re finished. We get it, the last thing you want to do is clean after an event. However, leaving it until the following day may mean you’ve created a fly infestation overnight! Not cool if you ask us.
Next, take a look at the exterior of your home. Flies LOVE long grass. Therefore, untended gardens are a prime breeding spot. If you don’t regularly cut and maintain your lawn, it’s time to change your attitude quickly. Given how quickly flies reproduce, it's unwise to leave long grass for any longer than a day. Flies also love smelly dog poop, as well as other pet feces. Therefore, ensure to clean up after your pets!
The Ranch Fly Trap
We like to say this at the end of every blog, but it’s true so we’ll repeat ourselves. In your specific case of fly infestation, you can use all the tricks in the book and still fail. The methods we’ve mentioned aren’t a ticket to success. Some will work, some won’t. It’s often the case that larger fly infestations are simply too strong for homemade variations and DIY strategies. That’s where the Ranch Fly Trap comes in.
Trusted by thousands of homeowners, ranch owners, and farm owners, the Ranch Fly Trap is designed to kill flies, protecting your property in the process. Our product doesn’t discriminate either. It doesn’t matter what fly species you’re struggling with, The Ranch Fly Trap will capture and hold most fly types and the more it catches, the more appealing it becomes to other nearby flies.
This isn’t to say that The Ranch Fly Trap isn’t perfect for smaller problems too. If you’ve read this blog and simply don’t want the hassle of creating traps for yourself, then our product is perfect. Simply fill with the bait provided, hang up in your chosen area, and you’re ready to go.
Over the last two years, we’ve seen truly amazing results. Our trap attracts flies from the surrounding area, protecting your farm animals, homes, and pets.
It breaks our heart to see so many people deal with flies, simply living alongside them like their existence is a given. STOP. You shouldn’t settle for less. With a few simple clicks, our product is shipped and ready to go.
Flies aren’t just a nuisance. They carry various pathogens and diseases, depositing on food and various areas around your home. If you want to leave the health and happiness of your family to chance, then go ahead. We can’t operate like that.
This summer is the season of fly domination. We’ve left fly season in the past. Have you? Grab yours via our website. Alternatively, learn more about fly infestations via our blog.