Flies are a common nuisance in many households, causing frustration and annoyance for homeowners everywhere. These pesky insects seem to appear out of nowhere, buzzing around your head, landing on your food, and generally making a mess of things. Not only are they irritating, but they can also pose potential health risks by carrying germs and bacteria. It’s no wonder that people are constantly searching for effective ways to get rid of flies in their homes.
Implementing the best fly traps allows you to catch flies and keep them away without using harmful sprays. Traps vary in their design, effectiveness, ease of use and maintenance required, so you’ll want to consider these factors when making your selection. I cover top-rated fly traps relying on multiple customer reviews so you can determine which option might work best in your situation.
Why Do You Need Fly Traps at Home?
Before jumping into the fly trap options, let’s go over why they’re needed and how they work.
Flies Spread Disease
Flies feed on rotting, disease-ridden matter like feces, dead animals and food waste. As they move from these substances onto your food preparation areas, they transfer bacteria like Salmonella, E. Coli and Shigella via their legs and bodies. They can also regurgitate onto surfaces.
This cycle rapidly spreads disease to anyone ingesting contaminated food. Plus, flies frequent other unsanitary places between feedings, continually picking up more bacteria. Diligent fly control breaks this chain of transmission to keep your family healthy.
Flies Reproduce Quickly
A single fly can lay up to 500 eggs during it’s one-month adult lifespan. The larval stage lasts 4-20 days depending on temperature and species. Warm weather accelerates hatching and development, enabling multiple generations in one summer.
This high reproduction rate lets fly infestations explode rapidly. Getting flies under control early prevents population surges.
Flies Are Difficult to SWAT
Though you may be tempted to deal with flies by swatting, their quickness and ability to fly in any direction makes this nearly impossible. They’re agile enough to dodge swats while airborne and fast enough to escape if they do land.
Traps get around flie’s mobility, drawing them in using irresistible bait and keeping them contained until disposal. No fly swatter required.
Different Types of Fly Traps
Fly traps employ different mechanisms to attract, capture and kill flies:
Bait Bag Traps
Bait bag traps consist of a bag soaked in attractant scents with entryways for flies. Flies are able to enter the traps but become trapped inside. The bags often contain killing agents or can be thrown away to dispose of contents.
Electric Zapper Traps
Electric fly traps tempt flies with ultraviolet light, luring them onto high-voltage electrified grids. These immediately electrocute flies upon contact. Zappers continue working 24/7, typically incinerating flies post-zap.
Trap Strips
Trap strips have sticky glues along their surface to snare flies when they land. Some have attractants incorporated into the glue or on the strip itself. Traps generally have a removable plastic layer over the adhesive, which you pull off once in place.
Bottle & Cone Traps
Bottle and cone openings lure flies into their containers but the tapering shape prevents escape. Some designs use smelly bait to better entice flies. Trapped flies eventually die inside due to dehydration.
Automatic Spray Traps
These traps detect fly motion and automatically spray a killing agent when they’re near. Some also have attractant elements like UV light to draw flies in. The spray typically has a residual effect to eliminate more flies over time.
10 Best Fly Traps for Indoor & Outdoor Use
From high-capacity automatic units to discreet low-maintenance traps, one of these options will help tackle your fly problems.
1. RESCUE! Non-Toxic Reusable Fly Trap
Key Features
- Reusable bait bags
- Non-toxic attractant formula
- No zapping, chemicals or sticky paper
- Can hang or place on flat surfaces
- Catches up to 20,000 flies
Rescue’s reusable fly traps provide effective chemical-free control indoors and out. Their discreet bag design blends into surroundings when hung.
The bait bag itself comes pre-filled with Rescue’s non-toxic attractant scent formulated from food-based substances like molasses and granulated sugar. Flies enter the traps through several openings but cannot exit.
Once full, simply throw the entire trap bag away and replace with a refill to reuse the plastic hangers. A two-pack set allows for multiple insertion points around your property. Reviewers report the traps working remarkably well to cut down fly quantities once placed in key areas flies frequent.
Ideal For
Rescue! traps work for all home types. Their non-toxic natural bait makes them safe for homes with kids and pets with no exposure to harsh chemicals.
Their refillable design also suits ongoing fly management rather than one-time use. Usage can be scaled up by deploying more traps simultaneously to match any size infestation.
Standout Features
- Catches up to 20,000 flies per trap
- Made in the USA
- Weather-resistant for outdoor use
- Discreet design preferred over unsightly zappers
2. Black Flag FG6580BK Zapper
Key Features
- Quad-zone 15 watt zapping grid
- 3000 volt electrified grid
- UV bulb entices flies
- Built-in tray holds dead flies
- Covers up to 600 sq ft radius
For serious fly infestations, the Black Flag Zapper provides heavy-duty elimination. Four 15-watt bulbs surround a central 3000 volt electrified grid that instantly fries flies upon contact.
Flies become mesmerized by the UV light. As they reach the center, the high voltage current zaps bugs at 1500V powered by standard 120V current. The result? No more flies troubling your outdoor gatherings.
A collection tray beneath the grid neatly contains crispy fly bodies for quick emptying. With coverage up to 600 square feet, the Black Flag Zapper tackles swarms affecting decks, patios and poolside’s. An optional chain lets you hang the unit anywhere flies tend to gather so guests stay pest-free. Reviewers report astounding reductions leaving surfaces noticeably fly-free.
Ideal For
The heavy-duty Black Flag Zapper suits homes plagued by large outdoor fly concentrations from animals or other infestation sources. It’s high voltage and coverage capacity provide industrial-level control.
Standout Features
- Instant electrocution of flies
- No odors or chemicals
- UV bulb runs 24/7
- Chain hardware included for hanging
- Up to 600 sq ft coverage
3. Terminix DFAF-D Fly Alert Fly Trap
Key Features
- Lure pregnant flies to lay eggs
- Emerging larvae drown
- Disposable cartridge lasts 2-4 weeks
- Handle allows placement anywhere
- Reduces fly population growth
This clever fly trap works by tricking pregnant female flies into laying their eggs inside a special container. The trap has a sneaky cartridge that attracts the mama flies, making them think it’s a good place to lay their eggs.
Once the eggs hatch, the baby flies (called larvae) fall into a tray filled with liquid at the bottom of the trap. Sadly, the liquid drowns the baby flies, so they never get to grow up and become adult flies.
The adult flies that laid the eggs don’t realize their babies have died and just fly away. By stopping the baby flies from growing up, the trap secretly helps keep the number of flies from getting bigger and bigger.
The cartridge inside the trap lasts for about 2 to 4 weeks before you need to replace it with a new one. The trap has a handle, so you can easily hang it up or attach it to a wall wherever you see a lot of flies buzzing around.
Ideal For
This trap is ideal for indoor application due to it’s odorless operation and discreet design. The trap avoids unpleasant tidy up of piles of dead flies with it’s no-touch cartridge. It’s also simple to maintain by swapping old cartridges for new.
Standout Features
- Breaks reproductive cycle
- Disposable cartridge
- Odorless indoor use
- Handle for hanging anywhere
- See-through body
4. BEAPCO 6-Pack FlyWeb Fly Trap
Key Features
- Cylinder tube traps flies cannot escape from
- Disposable glue boards retain flies
- 6 traps cover 150 sq ft range
- Unscented traps blend into outdoors
- Use around stables, kennels and barns
BEAPCO FlyWeb Traps are great for people who live in the countryside and have a lot of flies because of animals or farms nearby.
They’re like plastic tubes with sticky paper inside. Flies go in but can’t find their way out, so they get stuck on the paper.
When the paper is full of flies, you just throw it away and put in a new one. The tubes are green, so they blend in with plants outside.
Ideal For
They work well around barns and stables without using any harmful chemicals. You can use six of them to cover a big area, like 150 square feet, and add more if you need to.
Standout Features
- Trap flies cannot escape from
- Disposable glue boards
- Neutral colors mix into landscaping
- Six traps cover wide area
- Helps suppress fly populations long term
5. Garsum Bug Zapper Electric Indoor Insect Killer
Key Features
- Vertical and horizontal zapping modes
- 2800 volt mesh grid
- 300 sq ft coverage area
- Bulb generates UV light waves
- Snap-open design simplifies cleaning
If you don’t want to use sprays inside your house, this electric zapper is a good choice. It has a special light that attracts flies and mosquitoes, and when they fly close, they get zapped by electricity.
The dead bugs fall into trays at the top and bottom, which you can slide out to clean.
It doesn’t use any chemicals or make any smells, and it can cover an area up to 300 square feet. You can put it anywhere you see a lot of flies to get rid of them
Ideal For
As a chemical-free indoor option, the bug zapper protects families in living spaces, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms using only electricity. The open concept allows you to directly monitor efficacy.
Standout Features
- Snaps open for easy interior access
- Built-in collection trays
- Chemical and odor-free
- Positions vertically or horizontally
- Electrocutes flies instantly
6. Safer Brand Fly Catcher Ribbon Trap
Key Features
- 10 removable fly paper ribbons
- Weatherproof for indoor/outdoor use
- Discreet neutral color hides in home
- Ribbon sheets catch landing flies
- Plant-based attractant formula
These are thin, see-through ribbons that you can hang up inside your house to catch flies without anyone really noticing them.
They have a special plant-based smell that attracts flies, and when the flies land on the ribbons, they get stuck.
Ideal For
When a ribbon is full of flies, you just throw it away and put up a new one. They also work well outside on patios or porches, and they don’t use any chemicals.
Standout Features
- Discreet sheer ribbon design
- Non-toxic plant-based attractant
- Weatherproof for indoor/outdoor use
- Catches flies on sticky surface
- Ten 15-inch removable ribbons
7. Aspectek Bug Zapper Electric Fly Swatter
Key Features
- 3000 volt triple layer mesh grid
- Ergonomic handle for swatting action
- Lures flies with blue UV light
- Protective mesh prevents hand contact
- Built-in light for nighttime visibility
This is like a regular fly swatter, but it has electricity in it. When you see a fly, you just aim the swatter at it and pull the trigger.
The fly gets zapped by 3000 volts of electricity. It has a special light that makes flies pay attention to it, and a protective cover so you don’t accidentally shock yourself. It also has a little flashlight to help you see flies in the dark.
You don’t need any chemicals or sticky traps with this swatter.
Ideal For
The electric fly swatter allows instant fly removal wherever they’re actively buzzing about and landing. It’s handheld design is great for targeting house flies inside kitchens, bedrooms and other living areas.
Standout Features
- 3000 volt triple layer grid
- Handheld swatting design
- Blue light lures flies in
- Protective cover over grid
- Built-in LED light
8. Raid Essentials Disposable Fly Trap
Key Features
- Discreet disposable design
- Lures flies with bait scents
- Traps flies until thrown out
- Use around patios & decks
- Eliminates outdoor food pests
These are small, hanging traps that you can put outside on your patio or deck. They have a special smell inside that flies really like. The flies go into the trap through a hole at the bottom but then can’t find their way back out.
The smell lasts for about 30 days, and the flies inside die because they can’t get to water.
When the trap is full, you just throw the whole thing away and hang up a new one. It’s an easy and cheap way to get rid of flies outside for up to 3 months.
Ideal For
The traps conveniently tackle outdoor gatherings ruined by pesky flies. Once full, the self-contained design allows quick disposal without touching dead flies or debris.
Standout Features
- Discretely reduces fly populations
- Disposable trap body
- Factory added bait/scents
- Use around patios & decks
- No fly handling/cleaning
9. Sun Chel Sunset Fly Trap Bag
Key Features
- Reusable trap bag
- Biodegradable attractant
- Discreet neutral design
- Use indoors and outdoors
- Hangs or mounts anywhere
These are plastic fly traps that last a long time and don’t need much work. They’re like bags with tiny holes that flies can fly into but then can’t escape. Inside the bag is a special smell that breaks down over time and attracts house flies.
The smell lasts for 4-6 weeks, and when the bag is full of dead flies, you just take off the ring at the top, throw away the bag, and hang up the extra one that comes in the package.
They look nice enough to hang up outside on your porch or in your garden, and they don’t use any electricity or parts you have to keep replacing. It’s a good choice if you care about the environment.
Ideal For
Reusable Sun Chel traps suit earth-conscious homeowners wanting discreet and effective fly control without disposables or electricity. Their weatherproofing allows versatile indoor and outdoor use across seasons.
Standout Features
- Reusable trap body
- Biodegradable attractant formula
- Discreet neutral coloring
- For indoor and outdoor use
- Zero maintenance required
10. Flies Be Gone Outdoor Fly Trap
Key Features
- Cone shaped trap prevents fly escape
- All-weather roof design
- Use outdoors year-round
- Natural scents attract flies
- Made of durable polypropylene
These are simple outdoor traps shaped like upside-down cones. Flies fly in through the big hole at the bottom but then get confused and can’t find their way back out through the smaller top hole.
They’re made of tough plastic that can handle being outside in the sun, rain, or snow. The top of the trap is like a little roof that keeps the inside dry while still letting in light so you can see when it’s getting full of flies. Instead of using chemicals, these traps have special smell pellets that flies really like. Y
You can set them up in just a few minutes to start getting rid of flies on your patio or in your yard.
Ideal For
The Flies Be Gone trap smartly conquers open outdoor areas subject to invading flies without electricity or CO2 outputs. They tackle garden fly swarms, poolside pests and more while blending into yard aesthetics better than industrial zappers.
Standout Features
- Cone shape contains flies
- Roof shield protects from weather
- Made to use outdoors year-round
- Natural attractant scents
- Easy visual fly monitoring
Main Factors in Choosing Fly Traps
With numerous options available, keep these main factors in mind when selecting fly traps for your home:
| Trap Placement | Determine whether you need indoor, outdoor or both types of fly control. This influences choices suitable for protected/covered areas versus all-weather durable traps. |
| Trap Style | Assess choices like reusable bags, disposable containers, electric zappers, adhesive traps etc. based on maintenance, longevity, visibility and disposal preferences. |
| Coverage Capacity | Estimate your square footage needing protection and how many traps may be needed to address a light infestation vs. major fly problem stemming from a barn or stable for example. |
| Toxicity | Select non-toxic traps for indoor living spaces or where children/pets may access them. Consider mess, disposal and accessibility factors too for household convenience. |
| Costs | Compare longevity of reusable traps requiring attractant refills versus disposable models needing full unit replacements, along with energy usage for electric zappers. |
Properly Place Traps for Maximum Impact
Strategic fly trap positioning greatly improves capturing success since pests follow natural paths to food, breeding grounds and locations offering respite.
Outdoor Trap Tips
Cover Food Sources – Position traps around outdoor dining spaces, grills, pet areas and kitchen windows where food residues may accumulate. Flies constantly forage these zones.
Monitor Breeding Sites – Inspect compost bins, garbage cans and manure piles for any fly larvae activity, placing traps nearby to control emerging adult populations.
Intercept High Traffic Routes – Cut off flies in areas they traverse frequently when entering buildings and traveling water or food sources. Patios, vents, sidewalks and gardens offer prime real estate.
Indoor Trap Tips
Spot Daytime Gathering Points – Locate indoor traps along windowsills, countertops and ceilings where flies pause to warm themselves as they await opportunities to steal food scraps.
Target Nighttime Rest Areas – Flies typically overnight along walls, window treatments and room corners that offer cover. Place traps in these evening hideouts for optimal overnight catching.
Inspect Potential Nesting Spots – Seek out gaps along cabinetry, ventilation points and piping where flies may attempt harborage and breeding. Nearby traps will control numbers before infestations spread.
FAQs About Fly Traps
Fly traps designed for indoor use utilize containment methods like bags and adhesive sheets to secure flies until disposal rather than zapping or chemicals. This makes indoor traps quite safe, just take care when removing full bags or glue boards.
For reusable bags, refill attractants as the manufacturer recommends, usually every 4 to 6 weeks. Disposable containers and glue boards should get thrown out and replaced once a certain volume of flies accumulate, typically when half to two-thirds full.
The number of traps needed depends on infestation scale and dimensions of areas needing protection. For a light infestation, one trap by heavy activity zones like compost bins and patio dining areas can help. Larger properties should deploy units at regular intervals surrounding the full perimeter.
Ideal outdoor placement includes areas shielded from direct rain and sunlight near food sources, doorways, waste receptacles, gardens, garages and places pets spend time. Frequent zones flies traverse when commuting between breeding and feeding territories also offer prime real estate.
Due to continual operation, fly zappers do consume more energy than passive traps – especially over months of use. However, models with small 3-15 watt bulbs have relatively low electrical draw similar to nightlights. Just remember to turn them off when not required seasonally.
Say Goodbye to Pesky Flies!
To get the best results in controlling fly problems, it’s important to use well-known fly traps that are made for the kind of outdoor space you have and the way you live your life. It’s also a good idea to use traps along with keeping things clean and taking care of garbage to stop flies from having places to lay their eggs.
Keep an eye on your traps to see how many flies are around, so you can change the number of traps and where you put them until you’re happy with how well they’re working. Make sure to change the parts that attract the flies or get a whole new trap when the instructions say to, so they keep working well.
Traps are great because you can put them out and then not worry about them, and they’ll keep flies away without you having to spray bug killer all the time or clean up a bug zapper. To keep your family healthy and happy this summer, try using some of the best fly traps out there. You can find ones that work well inside your house without being too noticeable, or ones that are really strong for outside on your patio protection.
