7 Fly Traps For Effective Pest Control (2024)

Our Top Picks

Our top option when tackling fly infestations is Victor's Fly Magnet Trap because of its powerful attraction, which captures and kills a wide variety of fly species. This trap comes in a 1-gallon jug that can be emptied and reused, resulting in less waste.

Once flies enter the bottle, they are unable to escape and drown in the liquid. When the trap is filled with flies, you can dump out the contents, replace the bait, and add water to activate it.

It’s important to note that this trap has a very strong scent, which is actually why it works so well. Though flies can’t seem to resist the smell, you may find it unpleasant. For that reason, this trap is best suited for outdoor use. We recommend putting it at least 10 feet away from areas where people gather to avoid getting a whiff. It also comes with a hanging hook for versatile placement.

In normal outdoor conditions, the trap tends to fill up within a week or so—a good testament to the high number of flies collected. The pack of replacement bait retails for about $25, which can drive up the cost over time. The bait is non-poisonous, making it safe to use around children and pets when used as directed.

_{Type: Bait | Use: Outdoors | Targeted Species: All types | Dimensions: 5.97 x 5.95 x 13.09 inches}

Raid Fly Ribbon is a very affordable and highly effective option for eliminating pesky flies. Though not the most attractive option, it draws flies to its sticky surface, where they eventually die.

Unlike more advanced traps that conceal their kill, the dead flies are visible on the paper. You can see how well the traps are working, but they’re not the best choice for squeamish users. An easy solution is to hang the ribbon high and out of direct sight or place it in a more discreet location, such as a garage or barn.

Since there is no strong order like the Safer Brand Victor Fly Magnet Trap (our best overall pick), these traps can be used indoors or outdoors, making them more versatile than many of our other picks. The ribbon also kills other flying insects, including mosquitoes, gnats, and common moths.

Each ribbon can catch up to 100 flies before it needs to be replaced. Since four ribbons come in a pack, you get plenty of bang for your buck. On average, you'll need to replace the ribbon every few weeks (though the duration will vary depending on the volume of flies in your area.)

Most outdoor traps can get really smelly, but Raid Fly Ribbon is completely odorless and doesn’t contain any insecticides. It’s a cinch to set up: Unravel the ribbon in your hands and use the provided thumbtack to secure it in place. Due to its sticky texture, you should keep the trap out of reach from children and pets.

_{Type: Sticky trap | Use: Indoor and outdoors | Targeted Species: Flies, moths, mosquitoes, gnats | Dimensions: 1 x 6 x 4.5 inches}

Compatible with any standard electrical outlet, this versatile trap is an easy solution for fly management. It has an all-white, unobtrusive design, and its compact size allows you to place it just about just about anywhere. We put this trap to the test in our kitchen for two weeks and were thoroughly impressed with the results.

In addition to catching over 50 fruit flies, this trap lured in a few other insects, including a moth and a larger housefly. This trap is effective in spaces up to 400 square feet, and it’s equipped with a UV LED light that naturally attracts a variety of flying insects. Plus, it doubles as a nightlight once the sun goes down.

The Safer Home Plug-In utilizes glue cards to catch fruit flies, and we really appreciate its discreet design. This device is positioned with the sticky side facing the wall to keep trapped insects hidden from view. It’s important to note that the trap only comes with two glue cards, and refills are sold separately (around $7 for a 3-pack at the time of publication).

Depending on your infestation, the glue cards will need to be replaced every 21 days or so, which means costs can add up over time. The trap may be less effective during daylight hours because the light isn’t visible to insects.

_{Type: Electric | Use: Indoor | Targeted Species: Fruit flies, flies, moths, gnats | Dimensions: 1.5 x 3.2 x 5.75 inches}

Catchmaster Clear Window Traps require no electricity and are a simple solution for indoor fly management. Affordably priced and sold in packs of 12, these traps are easy to use and highly effective. They work best in the top corner of a window and adhere to the glass via an adhesive backing.

Setup only takes a few seconds: All you need to do is peel off the liner and stick it on a window or other flat surface. These window traps are safe to use around children and pets. They’re also a good choice for buildings where rodenticides or snap traps are prohibited.

Flies are drawn to the glue and instantly become trapped in the transparent tape. The accumulation of dead flies can be unsightly, but these traps are small enough—at roughly 8 inches wide and 3 inches high—to conceal with a curtain. Once the trap is full, you can pull it off the window and replace it with a new one. If the trap leaves behind any sticky residue, you can easily remove it using rubbing alcohol.

_{Type: Sticky trap | Use: Indoors | Targeted Species: All flies | Dimensions: 8 x 0.01 x 8.2 inches}

These outdoor fly traps use gourmet bait that flies find irresistible—even stubborn, pesticide-resistant flies. They are recommended for areas with a high number of flies, including dog kennels, horse ranches, and dumpsters. Once flies are lured into the trap, unique trap doors prevent them from making their way back out.

These traps can be set up within seconds; all you need to do is add water to the bag to activate the bait packet. They’re also disposable, so you can toss them in the trash when they stop attracting flies. Because they catch so many flies, they will need to be replaced fairly often–typically on a monthly basis or more frequently in problematic areas.

These traps work best when they are placed about 25 feet away from the fly source and suspended 5 feet high. They come with a handy hanging hook for this purpose. Though they are powerful enough to attract thousands of flies, you may notice a strong, unpleasant odor as flies accumulate, so we suggest keeping the traps away from common areas, if possible.

_{Type: Bait | Use: Outdoor | Targeted Species: Flies | Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 6.6 inches}

True to its name, this high-voltage bug zapper lures in flies and kills them instantly. We put this zapper through its paces in our own backyard and were pleasantly surprised by how well it killed flying insects.

When we turned on the light, we noticed that it took the bugs around half an hour to start approaching the trap. As time passed, the zapper effectively killed dozens of mosquitoes and other smaller bugs.

This lantern can be hung with the link and a chain or placed on any flat surface on your deck or patio. Thanks to its large coverage area of up to one acre, you can keep a good portion of your outdoor space bug-free. Since this is an electric model, it will need to be plugged into an outlet to operate.

An attractant cartridge containing octenol, an active ingredient in many insecticides, is included with the zapper to help attract mosquitoes. While the original cartridges only last for 30 days, you can get replacements. We noticed that the insect zapping was more intense with the cartridge, but it's not necessary for the lantern to function.

This top portion of the zapper pulls out, so you can use an air hose or a leaf blower to blow off all the dead bugs. It does make a slight cracking sound when bugs meet their demise, but the noise isn’t bothersome.

_{Type: Zapper | Use: Indoor and outdoor | Targeted Species: Flies, moths, mosquitoes, gnats, wasps | Dimensions: 32 x 12 x 32 inches}

Attractive and effective, the Terro Fruit Fly Trap looks good on your countertop while clearing your room of those tiny fruit flies. It comes in an apple-shapedcontainer that can blend into your home decor while it attracts fruit flies through a narrow funnel and into the container's center. We tested the trap in our kitchen and found it extremely easy to use and effective at collecting the pesky flying insects.

To set up, we filled the container with liquid bait formulated to lure flying pests and then locked the lid in place. We found that you have to be careful where you place that trap because the liquid will spill if it's toppled over. Even though it didn't completely go over, we bumped into the trap quite a bit, so it's best to put it somewhere where nobody can accidentally knock it over.

We recommended placing it next to a bowl of fruit like we did to grab fruit flies at their home base. Or place it neatly on a kitchen countertop, preferably near the kitchen sink, to get rid of drain flies. Terro traps come in a two-pack, so you can spread them around the home to catch flies that have traveled beyond the kitchen, like in the bathroom. The traps have a 45-day effectiveness period and are easily disposed of after use.

_{Type: Bait | Use: Indoors | Targeted Species: Fruit flies | Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 3.5 inches}

Final Verdict

The Safer Brand Victor Fly Magnet Trap is the best overall in our roundup thanks to its potent lure that kills hundreds of flies in a matter of days. Since its strong smell attracts loads of buzzing flies, this trap is best suited for outdoor use. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, consider Raid Fly Ribbon, our best budget pick that's an easy, effective solution you can use indoors or outdoors.

FAQ

• How can you prevent getting flies in your home?

  “Having screens on windows plays a significant role in keeping pesky flies at bay,” says Tom Olschewske of Arrow Exterminators. He points out that homeowners tend to overlook the condition of their window screens, often forgetting to replace them once they wear out. Whether you’re replacing a window screen or installing a new one, Olschewske says selecting the right size is crucial to prevent insects from sneaking in through any gaps around the edges.

• Are DIY fly traps effective?

  “Fly traps are effective at capturing flies, and they will continue to do so as long as there's enough attractant present,” Olschewske says. If you are making your own fly trap, he suggests using a food-based attractant, such as honey, vinegar, or fruit. “Pheromone traps can only lure one sex, so you'd be capturing just half of the fly population (either males or females). Food-based traps, on the other hand, attract both sexes,” he adds, making them a more effective option for controlling the entire fly population.

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