It’s A Trap! The Best Fly Traps For The Summer

The Four Types of Fly Traps

Fly traps are one of the best ways to eradicate an insect issue, but you must know that certain traps work better for specific flies. So, the key is to identify which fly is causing the problem before buying anything. Second, you must find out what’s attracting them to your home.

While fly traps are effective, they are not a standalone solution. If you have doors and windows without screens, simply using a trap won’t solve the problem. It’s more practical to address the root cause by installing or repairing screens to prevent the flies from reentering your home.

If you’ve found the source of your problem and have fixed it, it’s time to get a good trap and get rid of the lingering insects. Here are the four types of traps, the types of flies they capture, and their overall efficiency.

1. Sticky Traps – AKA Fly Trap Ribbons

Sticky traps come in all shapes and sizes. They’re most commonly called fly ribbons. They’re strips of paper with glue on them that capture flies in midair. These traps usually have bait on them, attracting the flies to them.

Once a fly lands on this paper, they cannot remove themselves. These work for all types of flies and can even capture a few other insects too.

Pros: The advantage of these kinds of traps is that they’re inexpensive. You can find them at any hardware or big box store, so they’re readily available. Additionally, it’s easy to capture a ton of flies in a short amount of time with these effective traps.

Cons: While there are many benefits to using sticky traps, it’s essential to be aware of the potential drawbacks. Placing these traps on your walls can lead to damage, such as pulling off paint, which may require repairs and make them less cost-effective. This cautionary note is crucial for homeowners to consider.

Second, the glue can run and drip onto your floors, posing a potential risk to pets and babies who might ingest it. The bait used to capture flies can also be harmful to some, so it’s essential to ensure your placement is safe.

2. UV Light Fly Traps

If you want something more modern and less unsightly, you might consider light traps. These little devices use UV lights that flies, and other insects can’t ignore. Unlike some traps, which can be used outside, these should only be used inside the home due to their design.

Inside the device is a glue card that captures insects once they fly into the light. They cannot escape and perish. These devices are highly effective and are preferred over fly ribbons for their ease of use and compact nature. They will capture all types of flies, but it’s not safe to put them near the sink to capture fruit flies.

Pros: One of the significant advantages of these traps is that they’re safe for your children and pets. You don’t have to worry about messy glue dripping onto the floor, which is typical for fly ribbons. Additionally, there are no foul odors or any messes. You remove the glue card and replace it with another one.

Cons: They’re a little pricey, can be challenging to find, and require electricity to work. It would help if you used them close to an outlet, which may pose a problem in some situations.

While they’re not super expensive, they’re certainly not as cheap as fly ribbons. Many stores won’t carry these devices, as they tend to carry sprays and fly tape, so it’s best to order them online.

3. Zapper Fly Traps

Bug zappers can provide entertainment along with pest control. Children and adults alike are enthralled when they see bugs fly into the light and hear the zapping sound. While you need electricity for these units to operate, they kill the flies on contact. Another advantage is that they will take care of other insects, too.

There are two different styles of bug zappers, and you can choose between one that sits on the floor or one that must be hung. The choice is yours based on your situation and where it will be placed. These can be used indoors and out, so you can ensure that gatherings outside have fewer pests. If you intend to use it outside, you must get one meant for outdoor use, as there can be some dangers in having one that’s only meant to be inside.

The bug zappers will capture most types of flies, but you’re unlikely to capture fruit flies with them as they’re more attracted to drains and rotting fruit than light. However, they’re excellent for house, horse, and cluster flies.

Pros: Bug zappers are highly effective and typically safe to use. They can eliminate flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and other flying insects. Most models have a safety switch, allowing you to control them without needing constant plugging and unplugging. Additionally, they feature protective grills, ensuring the safety of your little ones.

Cons: These devices require extra caution because they use electricity to operate, but thankfully, the voltage needed is low. Even though there are grills around them, there’s still the possibility of being shocked. When you have pets or small children in the home, opting for the ones that hang rather than sit on the floor is best.

4. Container Fly Traps

Container traps are also called “bag traps.” These bags are wholly disposable so there’s no mess left behind. These bags or containers can be hung indoors or out to ensure you capture as many flies as possible. The key with these devices is that bait draws the insect into the bag.

For those seeking a more advanced solution, high-tech container traps are available. If you’re willing to invest more, these traps use water or a pesticide to eradicate the insect once it’s inside the container. This ensures a thorough and efficient solution to your insect problem.

The good news is that container traps will work on all types of flies, so you just need to find a good location to place them to catch your pests.

Pros: These are entirely disposable and highly effective devices. There’s zero mess.

Cons: They cost a bit more than traditional methods. There’s a wide variety of options, so opting for those that use pesticides or water to kill the bugs will cost more money.

Where You Place Your Fly Trap Matters

It’s important to understand that where you place your trap has a lot to do with its effectiveness. Even the best trap in the wrong location can fail. A rule of thumb is that traps need to be around 20 feet away from the entrance of your home or the area of concern. So, if you’re putting them outside to keep you safe on the patio, allow yourself 20 feet to ensure pest-free eating outdoors.

Since many of these traps use some pesticide, it’s essential to be mindful of where you place them. You don’t want to have them around eating areas. There can be an unpleasant smell that might not be appetizing. Another thing to consider is that while it seems like a good idea to put a fly trap in the doorway, the bait used could draw more flies to the area, potentially worsening your situation.

It would help if you considered that these traps don’t always catch all the flies, so you could make your problem worse by putting them by an open window or doorway. Lastly, remember that flies love sunshine, so they look for sun in the early morning and evening hours, but when it’s hot, they want to be in the shade.

You can find the perfect spot for your trap using their preferences. If you’re having issues in the cooler months, always place the traps in a sunny location where attracting more flies is effortless. In the warmest seasons, opt for partial sun and shaded locations.

Safety Considerations

It’s always essential to pick a trap based on the household’s needs. If you have someone with breathing problems, pets, or small children, you want to choose something safe for them. Bug zappers work amazingly, but they might be problematic for little fingers, even though they have safety guards.

While glue traps can be effective, it’s essential to be aware of their potential dangers. The hot glue can melt onto the floor, which can be hazardous for pets and children who might come into contact with it. Similarly, hanging bags that use chemicals can be problematic for individuals with breathing problems or sensitivities.

Remember to read the warning labels on any products before buying them. Read consumer reviews, as seeing what others are saying is essential to making the right choice. One of the safest options is indoor fly traps that use UV lights and glue cards. These little machines are secure and effective; the glue cards are concealed and won’t drip on floors.

Additionally, you need the correct type of trap for the fly infesting your home. Fruit flies often won’t work as well on fly ribbons as the housefly. It’s essential to ensure your trap is made explicitly for the pest bugging you.

Do You Need Pest Control for a Fly Issue?

One thing that many people don’t consider when dealing with flies is the need for pest control. Sure, flies aren’t like roaches and the issue isn’t even on the same level. Still, they’re nasty, disease-carrying insects that can be dangerous when on your food. Did you know that flies are notorious for carrying and transferring E. coli?

The first rule of thumb is to try to take care of the problem yourself. Using some of the best fly traps on the market could be beneficial. It may completely resolve your problem. However, you may need more than a trap in some instances, as you need to get to the root cause. Maybe you don’t know where the flies are coming from, but a pest control professional can double as a sleuth and help you resolve the issue.

Dealing with a few flies here and there is manageable, but when you’re facing an infestation similar to the one in the Amityville movie, it’s time to call in the experts. Flies aren’t harmless creatures, as they pass around bacteria and diseases on every surface they touch. One pesky fly is not dangerous, but an infestation can be serious and needs immediate attention.

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