Got a spare soda bottle lying around? Don’t toss it! This is a super easy trap you can whip up in minutes. Here’s what you’ll need:
Empty soda bottle (clear or green works best)
A few inches of sweet liquid (sugar water, fruit juice)
A funnel (optional, but makes filling easier)
A penny (or something to weigh down the funnel)
Scissors (adult supervision required!)
First, carefully cut the top third of the bottle off. Invert the top part (the funnel) and place it inside the bottom part, with the spout pointing down. The penny can help weigh down the funnel to keep it in place. Now, pour in your sweet liquid – flies love the sugar! The funnel allows flies to enter easily, but the curved sides make it tough for them to escape. Boom! Trapped flies!
Fruity Fun: The All-Natural Fruit Fly Fighter
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Fruit flies – tiny terrors that love your kitchen produce. Here’s a trap that uses their love of fermentation to their demise!
A small jar
A piece of ripe fruit (banana, apple core)
A few drops of dish soap (optional)
Plastic wrap
Cut a small hole in the lid of the jar, just big enough for a fly to squeeze through. Place your ripe fruit inside. The fermenting fruit will attract the flies, and they’ll fly right in. A drop or two of dish soap in the bottom can make the trap even more effective, but isn’t totally necessary. Cover the jar with plastic wrap, securing it with a rubber band. Poke a few tiny holes in the top for ventilation. The flies will find their way in, but won’t be able to find their way out!
The Crafty Catcher: The Sticky Fly Paper Powerhouse
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This classic might be simple, but it works! Fly paper uses a sticky substance to trap flies. Here are some tips to maximize its effectiveness:
Hang your fly paper in strategic locations – near doorways, windows, or your trash can.
Replace your fly paper regularly, especially once it gets full of flies.
For a more DIY approach, you can try making your own sticky fly paper with honey, sugar, and water spread on cardboard.
The Mason Jar Marvel: The Vinegar Fly Trap
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Vinegar – a natural fly repellent that can also trap them! Here’s what you need:
Mason jar
Apple cider vinegar (or regular white vinegar)
A few drops of dish soap
A paper cone
Fill your mason jar about halfway with vinegar. Add a few drops of dish soap to break the surface tension of the vinegar, making it easier for flies to drown. Now, roll a sheet of paper into a cone shape, with the wide end at the top. Secure the cone in the jar opening, with the narrow end pointing down. The flies will be drawn to the vinegar’s scent, fly into the jar, and be unable to escape the cone!
The Plant Powerhouse: The Venus Flytrap
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Looking for a more decorative solution? Look no further than the Venus Flytrap! This cool carnivorous plant traps flies with its spiky leaves. Just remember, Venus Flytraps require specific care – they need plenty of sunlight, humidity, and a low-nutrient soil mix.
Do your research before getting one to ensure you can provide the proper environment.
With these fly trap hacks, you’ll be a fly-fighting champion in no time! Remember, prevention is also key. Keep your trash cans sealed, clean up spills promptly, and store food in airtight containers.
By combining these traps with some good hygiene practices, you can keep your home fly-free and frustration-free!
