How do you make a fly trap for a garage?

Flies can be a nuisance in garages, especially during warmer months. They breed quickly, spread germs, and get into food and drinks left out. The best way to control flies in a garage is to make your own fly trap. A homemade fly trap is inexpensive, easy to make, and very effective at catching flies.

Why Make a Fly Trap?

There are a few reasons why making your own fly trap is better than buying one:

• Cost – Purchased fly traps can be expensive, but you can make one for pennies.
• Customization – You can build a trap to perfectly fit your garage space.
• Effectiveness – Homemade traps often catch more flies than commercial ones.

With just a few household items, you can build a highly effective fly catcher. The trap will draw flies in and keep them from escaping.

Choosing a Trap Design

There are a few different homemade fly trap designs to choose from:

Bottle Trap

This trap is made from an empty plastic bottle. Flies enter through the funnel-shaped top and cannot find their way back out.

Funnel Trap

This style uses a funnel to direct flies into a container. It’s a bit more complex but can catch higher quantities.

Bait Bag Trap

A bait bag trap uses smelly bait to lure flies into a plastic bag through a slit. When full, simply throw the bag away.

Sticky Tape

Strips of sticky tape catch any flies that land on the surface. Great for catching stray flies.

The bottle trap is the easiest method for beginners. As you get the hang of making traps, try out some of the other styles.

Creating a Bottle Fly Trap

Making a bottle style fly trap takes just a few simple steps. Here’s what you’ll need:

• An empty 2-liter plastic bottle
• Scissors
• Clear packaging tape
• Sugary bait (fruit juice, jam, syrup, etc)
• Funnel

Follow these steps:

1. Clean and dry the 2-liter bottle thoroughly.
2. Using the scissors, cut the bottle around the label leaving the tapered top intact.
3. Invert the top funnel section and place it inside the lower half, forming a funnel shape.
4. Use clear packing tape to seal the two cut edges together.
5. Add 2-3 inches of sugary bait to the bottle.
6. Optional: Punch small holes around the top with a toothpick to let odor escape.

That’s all there is to it! Hang your bottle trap in the garage or place it on a shelf or workbench.

Tips for an Effective Fly Trap

Follow these tips to catch the most flies:

• Aim for a 1-2 inch opening on the funnel.
• Use bait that smells sweet to flies, like sugary drinks.
• Change the bait every 2-3 days.
• Hang traps near doors, windows, and moisture sources.
• Make a few traps to cover more area.
• Clean the trap regularly to prevent mold.

The smellier the bait, the more effective the trap will be. Yeasty smells are especially attractive to flies.

Choosing the Right Bait

Any sweet, sticky substance can be used to bait a homemade fly trap. Here are some great options:

Fruit Juice

Apple cider vinegar is a classic choice, but any fruit juice will work. The sugar appeals to flies.

Jams & Jellies

Preserves and jellies are excellent bait, especially if they contain fruit bits. The thicker the better.

Syrups

Maple syrup, corn syrup, and honey are sweet and fragrant lures for flies. Heat up before pouring in.

Sugary Drinks

Flies can’t resist sodas, juices, sweet tea, and other sugary beverages. They make convenient liquid bait.

Overripe Fruit

Berries, bananas, mangoes, and other soft, sweet fruits are tempting to flies. Mash them up first.

Yeast Mixture

Making a yeast-sugar solution creates the smell of fermentation that flies love.

Wine

An open bottle of wine makes an irresistible feeding spot for flies. They become intoxicated and slow.

Switch up the bait now and then to keep attracting flies. Once it dries up, flies lose interest.

Where to Place Fly Traps

Proper placement is key to successfully trapping flies. Here are the best locations to hang or set fly traps:

• Near doors – Flies enter through open doors.
• Around windows – Open windows let flies into the garage.
• By moisture sources – Flies need water, so they congregate around sinks, spills, pet dishes, etc.
• Next to the trash cans – Food remnants in the garbage attract flies.
• In corners of the room – Flies prefer to travel along walls and edges.
• Above work benches – Flies buzz around when food is out.
• Near lights – Flies navigate by light.

Distribute a few traps throughout the garage for the best coverage. Avoid extremely dusty areas that could clog the funnel opening.

Maintenance Tips

To keep your homemade fly traps working their best:

• Check traps daily and remove any dead flies
• Add fresh bait every 2-3 days
• Rinse out trap and replace bait if it smells rotten or becomes moldy
• Replace worn out traps after a month or two
• Make adjustments if traps aren’t catching flies

Traps are disposable, so throw them away once they become too dirty. Use cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol to scrub away grime.

Troubleshooting

Trap isn’t catching flies

• Try a smellier bait like yeasty wine or fermented fruit
• Relocate the trap closer to fly activity
• Make the opening larger so more flies can enter
• Punch more small holes in the funnel for airflow

Trap funnel is clogged

• Remove dead flies and debris with a pipe cleaner
• Rinse the funnel out with water and dry completely
• Use cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean

Bait is drying out too quickly

• Add a little water to re-moisten dried out bait
• Make a tighter seal around the tape connecting the funnel
• Use thicker bait like jam or syrup instead of thin juices

Trap smells bad

• Replace the rotten bait more frequently
• Clean the trap thoroughly with soap, water and rubbing alcohol
• Use fresh bait like fruit instead of fermented liquids

Preventing Fly Problems

Along with trapping adult flies, prevent future infestations by controlling flies in the larval stage. Here are some tips:

• Remove trash regularly so flies can’t lay eggs
• Drain standing water so flies can’t breed in it
• Clean up spills immediately so flies aren’t attracted
• Seal cracks, holes, and gaps where flies enter
• Use screening on open windows and doors

Keep the garage as clean and dry as possible. Eliminate any rotting, fermenting materials. Include fly control as part of your regular cleaning routine.

Using Chemicals and Insecticides

For severe fly infestations, traps alone may not be enough. Insecticide sprays and foggers can be used to kill adult flies on contact:

• Pyrethrin sprays – Derived from chrysanthemum flowers, fast-acting but don’t last long.
• Malathion – An organophosphate that continues killing for 2-3 days.
• Carbaryl – A carbamate insecticide that leaves residue to keep killing.
• Cyfluthrin – Synthetic pyrethroid that is potent but wears off quickly.

Take safety precautions when using insecticides. Only apply according to label directions.

For long-term fly management, treat breeding sites with insect growth regulator (IGR) products containing diflubenzuron, methoprene, or cyromazine. This prevents fly larvae from maturing. Apply IGRs twice a month to problem areas.

Natural Fly Deterrents

Some natural repellents can also help curb fly activity:

• Mint oil
• Citronella
• Basil
• Bay leaves
• Cloves
• Lemongrass
• Garlic

Hang bags of these strong-scented herbs around the garage or crush and sprinkle near entry points. Their aromas overwhelm fly senses and airways.

You can also plant mint, basil, and other herbs right outside garage doors and windows. The natural oils deter flies.

When to Call a Professional

In some cases, fly issues may require professional help:

• Infestation persists despite thorough sanitation and trapping efforts
• Large number of flies are emerging from a hard-to-reach area
• You need help locating breeding sites
• Flies are entering from an external source like a neighboring property
• You want to incorporate chemical treatments but lack proper equipment

A qualified exterminator can inspect for sources, apply professional-grade insecticides, and recommend ways to prevent future fly problems.

Conclusion

Homemade fly traps provide an easy, non-toxic way to control pesky flies that invade garages. Simple bottle traps catch flies effectively with the help of sweet, smelly baits. For best results, use potent bait, place traps strategically around moisture and food sources, and maintain traps regularly. With some diligence, you can keep your garage virtually fly-free all season long.