There is nothing more irritating and disturbing than the buzzing sound of houseflies. They are called “nuisance” flies for a reason. Even worse, they are not innocuous; besides the fact that they are annoying, they are carriers of diseases, and their infestation is never a good sign even though it is very common. But it is not a cause to panic either, because it is a problem with ample solutions. Ever heard of a fly trap? Let us see how it works!
How does a fly trap work?
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There are so many different types of fly traps to get rid of flies.
One way is by poisoning them. However, this is commonly advised against as it will exterminate not only flies but the other pests, which might be helpful and needed in the environment to maintain a healthy balance.
Each fly trap is designed after careful analysis of flies’ behavior. This is a crucial step, as it will help you know more about flies and their natural tendencies, which will help you devise and design snares that work smoothly and effectively. For example, one element that we ascertain before setting a trap is whether it can attract many flies at one go.
Another commonly used trap that is very effective is the “sticky tape.”
A sticky tape attracts them to the site, where they get stuck. Therefore, it is best to hang them in a vertical position as it is observed that flies are veritably attracted to vertical plains.
Homemade Fly Trap
There are several DIY traps that you can try at home on your own. And equally great results are guaranteed.
A popular trap used would be the classic “bait trap.” It is a type of container which holds something sweet and most liquid in form or anything fit to lure the insect into it.
Here is one DIY Homemade trap idea!
Steps to make your very own bait trap
- Get hold of a plastic bottle. A 2-liter bottle would be ideal.
- Cut down the upper piece of the bottle in a funnel-like fashion.
- Place the funnel half of the bottle into the bottom half. Make sure that the mouth of the funnel faces the inside.
- Fill in a sweet liquid or anything that will act as bait.
- Add in two drops of dish wash to soak the wings impeding the insect from flying away.
Bait ideas
The techniques are more or less the same; however, the liquid you use can vary. Any liquid sweet enough to act as bait and tempt the insects will work.
- Water mixed with sugar
- Wine
- Vinegar
- Juice
- Honey
The secret is the sweeter, the better!
Tips and Tricks
A flytrap does its job, but making sure that the trap does it effectively and efficiently is your job!
Here are a few tips that might help.
- Try hanging your homemade trap for better and faster results.
After thorough studies, meticulous observation, and rigorous and repeated experimenting, it has been proved that whichever the trap is employed, if hung at a high point in any room or outdoors, there would be a better chance of eliminating as many of them as possible. So it is recommended to hang vertical sticky tapes and bait traps for flies vertically, at either the top corner of the room or in a garden at some high elevated point because flies prefer flying high. They come down to the ground only if they spot food left out in the open or lay eggs in the garbage or animal faeces.
- It has been proved and tested that flies prefer to land or occupy dark and shadowy places over bright ones. So it is always recommended to hang traps in such areas. It does not mean that the site should be in total darkness; it should have some light so that shadows can be cast.
Why do you have cluster flies?
Those flies which are twice the size of regular normal houseflies are called cluster flies. And they are generally black, unlike the regular grey houseflies. They usually enter the house during the winter season when looking for a warm place to hibernate. However, in summer, you get to see them around more often than in the winter season, as, in winter, they prefer to stay away from humans. The identification process of cluster flies from the regular houseflies is quite simple. Their size, color, and sluggish mannerism in flight are noted, which will help you distinguish the two.
How do cluster flies get in the house?
The big size which we talked about earlier doesn’t stop them from intruding into our houses. They still manage to find cracks and creeks and go in unnoticed. They usually enter in winter season as it is cold outside, and they require a warm place to hibernate. However, they are not as dangerous as houseflies, which are carriers of dangerous diseases. Also, they like to stay away from humans and animals.
You can prevent a major cluster fly infestation by covering every creek and crack between your windows or any other part of your house. Remember, this is to be done before the start of winter. With the cool weather, there come in our unwanted cluster flies.
Extermination mode activated
Besides being a sign of unhygienic environments, they are also known to cause food poisoning and spread several other diseases. Therefore, swatting them will not always be practical, especially when there is a major infestation. So try out the given hacks and tips to see if you can clear them out!
