How To Make a Fly Trap
01. Mark a Cutting Line
Draw a line all the way around the bottle using a permanent marker, just below the tapered neck
02. Cut the Top off the Bottle
Use a sharp knife with a serrated blade to cut along the line, severing the top of the bottle.
Cut on a cutting board so there's no damage to your counter or table surface.
03. Assemble the Fly Trap
Remove the soda cap, then flip the top of the bottle upside down and slide it into the bottom of the bottle, like a funnel, to complete the fly trap.
04. Bait the Trap
Remove the "funnel" from the bottle so you can place the bait. Choose a bait for your trap.
Flies are attracted to nearly any decaying organic material Though it is meat and feces that flies seek out to lay eggs (the larvae, which we know as maggots, will immediately feed on those materials when they hatch from fly eggs), few people will want to use that as indoor bait. Consider these pleasant ideas for bait:
Slightly over-ripe fruit
A 50/50 water and sugar mix
Water mixed with honey or maple syrup for a stickier solution
Fruit-scented dish soap
If you are using this trap outdoors, use a more pungent bait. To keep bees out of your indoor or outdoor trap, add a splash of vinegar to the mix.
05. Make a Handle for the Fly Trap
If you prefer a hanging trap, use a hole punch to punch two holes at the top of the bottle. Make sure they go through both layers of the trap. Then thread a piece of wire through the holes, crimp the ends, and your trap is ready to hang.
