After speaking with Mannes, we researched dozens of fly traps, evaluating their effectiveness, ease of use, method of capture, and value. Our top recommendation, the Starbar Fly Terminator Pro, is a heavy-duty trap that’s best for the outdoors and can catch up to 35,000 insects. Here are the best fly traps to use in any season. The 1-gallon jug-style trap is a serious remedy, designed for what the manufacturer calls “medium-level” fly issues. You can hang it from the included durable handle close to where it’s needed most such as by a back door or in the corner of a small yard. Just don’t rest it close to a wall, or it fills with cockroaches and other creepy-crawlies, drawn to its significant odor. The smell can be unpleasant to pets and small children who may get close to it. We’ve noted that many who use this trap recommend that you be careful to place this highly effective trap downwind! Price at time of publish: $30 Just hang these traps in your backyard, add water, and watch the insects flock to this attractant. After positioning the trap, you cut away the top circle and add your included hanger and water, then position the trap (recommended at least 20 feet from living spaces). The manufacturer says the bait effectively lures a variety of flies. No poisons are used, but the results do produce a strong odor. When the trap is full, just toss it into a plastic bag and tie it off, and you are done. You also can buy bait refills. Price at time of publish: $13 (two-pack) To lure flying pests, the tiny, egg-shaped container uses a small piece of fruit of your choice and some water under its crystal-like top. Lock it in place and set it out to rid your rooms of flitting fruit flies. It can rest neatly in a bowl of fruit to grab fruit flies at their home base. Or place it neatly on a kitchen countertop, preferably near the kitchen sink. FlyFix comes in a two-pack, so you can spread them around the home to catch flies that have traveled beyond the kitchen. Price at time of publish: $20 With its compact size, the Victor Fly Magnet Fly Trap is simple in its style, so it can tuck behind a plant on a table or sit on a porch under a chair to keep flies from ruining your outdoor experience. The bait squares are made of decayed food-grade products, and you need to cover them in water to activate the trap. Once the jar is full of flies, which should take at least a week for typical outdoor environments, just toss the contents and insert another bait square. The bait has a strong fermented food smell, which might make it better suited away from outdoor dining areas. Price at time of publish: $18 Flies just can’t resist the sticky substance. Once the clear rectangle of film is full of fruit and house flies, gently pull it away from the window and replace it with a fresh one. The glue left behind from the adhesive is easily removed with a swipe of rubbing alcohol. Since they are clear, guests are not likely to notice these, keeping your fly problem a secret. Price at time of publish: $12 As with most traps on this list, it is pesticide-free (the manufacturer has created its own bait, which it describes as a “handmade fly food”) and can be tossed once it’s full. Just be sure to hang it out of reach of children and pets. You can purchase this trap as a two-pack, or in multiples of up to 50 on the manufacturer’s site. Price at time of publish: $37 Simple and aesthetic in design, this is a breeze to set up. You can hang it using the included chain-and-hook set, or simply set it on a hard, even surface. Upkeep is easy as well, with a removable plastic tray at the bottom that is dishwasher-safe. We appreciate the ease of use and the self-cleaning electric grid. The only downside is replacing the UV light tubes, but they are affordable at less than $11 for a two-pack. Price at time of publish: $43
Bait Type
Most traps, even sticky ones, use bait to lure flies close enough to trap. Disposable traps may come with bait already in place to make setup easier, but reusable containers likely require additional bait to be added after the first use.
Placement
Depending on your fly problem, you need indoor or outdoor traps. Indoor traps tend to be smaller and more focused on design, so you don’t have to stare at dead flies inside your home. Outdoor traps have a larger capacity, which means they may only need to be replaced a couple of times a season.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Amanda Rose Newton, a freelance writer and garden reviewer for The Spruce. As an entomologist, she delighted in personally testing out the products to provide advice to those with different needs, homes, and price points when it comes to pest control. To make this list, Amanda Rose tested each product over the span of two weeks. She also considered the difficulty in application/setup, positioning, and cleanup. She also spoke with Cindy Mannes, a senior vice president for the National Pest Management Association.
