Flies can be a nuisance during outdoor activities, but DIY fly traps can help keep them at bay effectively and affordably.
Whether you’re looking for a natural solution or a more engineered approach, these 15 DIY fly trap ideas will help you create effective traps using common household items and materials.
These traps are designed to attract and capture flies, making your outdoor space more comfortable and enjoyable.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
Apple cider vinegar is a natural fly attractant. To create this trap, pour apple cider vinegar into a small bowl or jar.
Add a few drops of dish soap to break the surface tension, so flies drown more easily. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke small holes in it.
The smell of the vinegar attracts flies, and they’ll enter the trap through the holes but won’t be able to escape.
2. Beer Trap
Beer can also attract flies. Pour a small amount of beer into a bowl and add a few drops of dish soap.
The soap reduces the surface tension, causing flies to sink and drown. Place the bowl in a fly-prone area, and the smell of the beer will draw them in.
This simple and effective trap works well for outdoor gatherings.
3. Fruit Fly Trap
For a fruit fly trap, place a piece of overripe fruit, such as a banana or apple, in a bowl.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke small holes in it.
The fruit’s smell will attract the flies, and they’ll enter the bowl through the holes but won’t be able to find their way out.
4. DIY Flypaper
Create your own flypaper using sticky substances and paper. Spread a layer of honey or corn syrup onto a strip of paper and hang it in fly-prone areas.
The sticky surface will catch flies as they land on it.
You can also add a few drops of essential oils, like eucalyptus or peppermint, to deter flies.
5. Homemade Fly Trap with Lemon and Cloves
Cut a lemon in half and press whole cloves into the flesh.
Place the lemon halves in a bowl or directly on a plate. The scent of the cloves combined with the citrus aroma will repel flies.
This method not only traps flies but also adds a pleasant fragrance to your outdoor space.
6. DIY Fly Trap with Milk and Sugar
Mix equal parts of milk, sugar, and water in a bowl.
The sugar attracts flies, and the milk creates a sticky substance that traps them.
Place the bowl in fly-prone areas, and the mixture will lure and capture the flies effectively.
7. Soda Bottle Trap
Cut the top off a plastic soda bottle and invert it, placing it back into the base of the bottle.
Fill the base with a mixture of sugar water or fruit juice.
The inverted top creates a funnel that allows flies to enter but makes it difficult for them to escape.
8. Essential Oil Fly Repellent
Create a fly repellent using essential oils. Mix a few drops of essential oils, such as eucalyptus, lavender, or mint, with water in a spray bottle.
Spray this mixture around your outdoor area to repel flies. This method works as a preventative measure and adds a pleasant fragrance.
9. DIY Fly Trap with Dish Soap and Vinegar
Combine equal parts of dish soap and white vinegar in a bowl.
The vinegar attracts flies, while the dish soap breaks the surface tension, causing the flies to drown.
Place the bowl where flies are most active for effective results.
10. Fly Trap Using Fruit Juice and Vinegar
Mix fruit juice with a splash of vinegar in a bowl.
The fruit juice attracts flies, and the vinegar enhances the scent, drawing them in.
Add a few drops of dish soap to break the surface tension and make the trap more effective.
11. Water Trap with Sugar
Fill a shallow dish with water and add a few tablespoons of sugar.
Flies are attracted to the sweetness and will land in the water, where they’ll eventually drown.
This trap is simple and effective, especially in areas with stagnant water.
12. DIY Fly Trap with Banana Peels
Place banana peels in a bowl or jar and cover with plastic wrap, poking small holes in it.
The fermenting banana peels will attract flies, and they’ll enter through the holes but won’t be able to escape.
13. Homemade Fly Trap with Yeast
Mix yeast with a small amount of sugar and warm water in a bowl.
The yeast will ferment and produce carbon dioxide, which attracts flies.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke holes in it to let the flies in while preventing their escape.
14. DIY Fly Trap with Rotten Fruit
Place a piece of rotten fruit, such as an overripe mango or peach, in a jar or bowl.
Cover with plastic wrap and poke small holes.
The strong smell of the decaying fruit will attract flies, and they’ll enter the trap through the holes but won’t be able to get out.
15. Milk, Sugar, and Pepper Trap
Combine milk, sugar, and black pepper in a bowl.
The mixture attracts flies with its sweetness, and the pepper irritates their senses. Flies will be drawn to the mixture and become trapped.
This method is simple and effective for keeping flies away from outdoor areas.
Conclusion
These 15 DIY fly trap ideas offer a variety of methods to tackle the fly problem in your outdoor spaces.
From using common household items like vinegar and beer to more creative solutions with essential oils and rotten fruit, each trap provides an effective way to manage and reduce fly activity.
By implementing these DIY traps, you can enjoy a more pleasant and fly-free outdoor environment, making your gatherings and time outdoors more enjoyable.
