Top 5 Fly Traps

Best For Windows: Catchmaster Clear Window Fly Traps Best For Plants: Gideal Dual-Sided Yellow Sticky Traps Best For Outdoor Use: Flies Be Gone Fly Traps Best Reusable Trap: Safer Reusable Fly Traps Best For Indoor Use: Katchy Indoor Insect Trap

Best For Windows: Catchmaster Clear Window Fly Traps

Pros and Cons

        ✔ Is not made with harsh chemicals
        ✔ Is small and see-through, making it a barely visible trap
        ✔ Comes in a pack of 12 traps
        ✘ Can be difficult to remove from surfaces
        ✘ Will have an unattractive look once it gets full of flies

What Customers Are Saying

Those who liked these traps said that they stuck well to windows and caught a large number of flies. However, those who were unhappy claimed that it was tough to remove the traps from windows once they were full. Others wished that the traps had bait to more effectively lure insects.

Best For Plants: Gideal Dual-Sided Yellow Sticky Traps

These sticky traps come with stakes and twist ties to either attach to your plants or stand in their soil. These fly killers eliminate a wide variety of flies from your garden, including whiteflies, fruit flies, blackflies, and midges, and are made from non-toxic materials with a UV-resistant adhesive on both sides.

Pros and Cons

        ✔ Has waterproof and heat-resist qualities 
        ✔ Is safe for both indoor and outdoor use
        ✔ Comes with 20 twist ties and two stands
        ✘ Has a bright color that makes it difficult to hide
        ✘ Is not reusable 

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers said that these traps were easy to use, worked quickly, and didn’t have an overpowering scent. However, those who left negative reviews pointed out that they sometimes caught bees, wasps or birds. Others claimed that they didn’t work effectively without adding apple cider vinegar or another attractant.

Best For Outdoor Use: Flies Be Gone Fly Traps

Pros and Cons

        ✔ Features a unique, beehive design
        ✔ Comes with a hanging strap
        ✔ Has a snapping lid that can be easily opened to fill with water
        ✘ Can have an unpleasant odor
        ✘ Is not designed for indoor use

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers liked that these bags were easy to set up and caught a large amount of flies in little time. However, those who were unsatisfied claimed that they sometimes spilled or leaked. Others said that the traps were unusable after a rainstorm because they filled with water.

Best Reusable Trap: Safer Reusable Fly Traps

Pros and Cons

        ✔ Uses non-toxic bait that’s safe near pets and children
        ✔ Can be standalone on a surface or hung up on a hook
        ✔ Attracts a variety of common flies 
        ✘ Requires replacement bait to reuse it
        ✘ Drowns flies, which may not be ideal for squeamish users 

What Customers Are Saying

Customers liked that the bait was effective at trapping flies within days and was easy to dispose of. However, some customers who left negative reviews claimed that it had an overwhelming scent. Others said that the bait was too effective because it drew more flies to the area than were previously there.

Best For Indoor Use: Katchy Indoor Insect Trap

Pros and Cons

        ✔ Also kills mosquitoes, moths, gnats, and other flying insects
        ✔ Uses easy-to-remove glue boards that can be replaced 
        ✔ Has multiple fan-speed settings
        ✘ Is considerably more expensive than many other trap types
        ✘ May be ineffective for large bugs 

What Customers Are Saying

Most customers felt that this trap was easy to use, quiet, and also effective at eliminating mosquitoes. However, those who weren’t happy said that some flies were able to fly away instead of being sucked in because the fan wasn’t powerful enough.

Buyer’s Guide

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, consider the following factors.

Type

There are several types of fly traps, with some of the most popular being:

Adhesive

These traps have a sticky surface. Once flies come into contact with the adhesive, they can’t escape. Eventually, they die from starvation.

Container

Container traps lure flies in with bait and kill them with either poisoning, drowning, or dehydration.

Zap

Bug zappers electrocute the fly once it makes contact with the electric grid. This kills the bug instantly.

Location

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 amount of flies.

Safety

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

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.

Care

Another factor to consider is how easy the traps will be to care for and maintain. Most traps require some form of disposal, which may not be ideal if you don’t like being near dead flies. Adhesive-type traps typically need to be unpeeled and thrown away, while water traps should be cleaned after being dumped out.

How long do fly traps take to work?

If your trap has light or fly bait, flies should come buzzing over within minutes. However, if you have a zap or a sticky glue trap, it may take a little longer for flies to find their way over.

Where should I put a fly trap?

It depends largely on where you’re having the biggest issue. If you have flies inside your home, set up traps where they’re most likely to congregate, such as near windows and in the kitchen. If you want to prevent flies from getting inside, consider on the porch or deck, in the garden, or on a tree.

Are there home remedies that kill flies?

Yes. There are alternative ways to get rid of flies if you want a natural remedy or traps aren’t doing the trick. A mixture of vinegar and dish soap is a popular way to attract flies and poison or drown them. Having basil plants around your home or yard is another way to repel flies, as they don’t like the scent.

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