Reusable Fly Traps – Complete Guide

Choosing between reusable fly traps and disposable ones may not be easy for all people. For starters, not everyone is ready to keep buying disposable traps and replacing them frequently. On the other hand, reusable traps may be a hassle because they require cleaning whenever they get full.

In terms of efficiency, both traps aren’t very different. For cost-efficiency, reusable ones win, but disposable fly traps are easier to deal with.

 

 

There are tons of fly traps out there – and they get used really fast. Do they have to be disposable or reusable fly traps can be as effective? Read more here.

 

Different Types of Disposable Fly Traps and How They Work

 

Disposable Bags

Some disposable fly traps come in the shape of bags. They’re basically plastic bags full of some kind of attractant. The attractant or pesticide acts to lure the flies in. When the flies come close, they fall inside the bag with no way out.

The components are mainly food flavoring agents, which emit a smell that attracts flies. Most of these attractants are safe to be around kids and pets if you’re concerned.

When you receive your fly trap bag, all you have to do is fill it with water, then find an appropriate place to hang it. The water here serves to activate the attractant, which arrives in a dormant state.

When choosing the place to hang them, you should look for a spot with direct sunlight because the heat causes the scent to spread faster, attracting more flies.

Whenever the bag gets full of flies, it’s time to grab it and throw it out. The best thing about these bags is that they offer a mess-free process of getting rid of flies. You won’t have to touch the flies or the pesticide; you’ll only grab the bag.

If you want to try your luck with a disposable fly trap, you can opt for the Black Flag Disposable Fly Trap. It works in the same way we explained earlier.

 

Sticky Cards

Another type of disposable fly trap is sticky cards. These work by attracting the flies, and once they get close, they stick to the card with no way of getting out. Whenever the paper or the card gets full of flies, you can throw it out and put out a new one.

Some sticky papers come in pleasing shapes to attract the flies, and some of them use controlled-release technology to emit pheromones.

You can place them outdoors or indoors. For example, if you want to get rid of flies outdoors, you can put the sticky cards between bushes and among colorful flowers, so the flies won’t be able to detect them.

If they’re indoor, you can keep them in the pantry or inside your closet. Or, you can place them near night lights, so the flies will come close to the glow and get caught.

 

Disposable Fly Traps – Pros & Cons

As with everything else, disposable fly traps have their share of pros and cons. To decide between them and reusable ones, you’ll need to be aware of both advantages and disadvantages.

 

Pros

 

Disposable fly traps are mostly non-toxic, so they’re safe for kids and pets to be around. On the other hand, reusable fly traps usually contain pesticides, which are toxic for both you and your family.

Disposable fly traps are also easy to use. All you have to do is pick the right place to put them, and they’ll do the rest of the work for you. On top of that, they’re highly efficient for catching flies that resist pesticides because they depend on tricky ways.

There’s also the fact that disposable fly traps are maintenance-free. The only thing you’ll have to do is hang them, then return after a few weeks or days to collect them and throw them out. So you don’t have to deal with changing any pesticides or throwing out zapped flies.

Lastly, if you’re worried about butterflies or bees, disposable fly traps won’t catch them. These bags only contain solutions that attract flies, so they won’t harm other beneficial insects.

 

Cons

 

Disposable fly traps may cause a foul smell after a few days if the flies inside start decomposing. You’ll need to throw them out frequently if you don’t want an unpleasant odor to develop.

In addition to that, with disposable bags, you’ll need to water them frequently in the summer. A lot of water will be lost because of evaporation and heat, so it may run out faster than you think.

Lastly, sticky cards are unpleasant to look at when they’re full of dead flies. You may not like to have them inside your house. Or, you’ll need to replace them frequently.

 

Different Types of Reusable Fly Traps and How They Work

 

Jar Traps

Jar traps are quite easy to use and assemble. They work similarly to disposable bags, except that you only dispose of the pouch inside and not the whole thing.

You receive a jar with a pouch inside containing powder attractant. Once you add water and hang the jar, the attractant will activate and start attracting flies. The flies will then fall inside with no way out.

Whenever the pouch is full, take it out, empty it anywhere, and refill it with attractant and water. You can always use apple cider vinegar if you don’t have any attractant left.

 

Zapper Traps

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Zapper traps are nearly the most common reusable traps. You can find them in most stores you walk into, and a lot of house users also opt for them.

With these traps, catching flies couldn’t be easier. They have fluorescent-colored rods to attract the flies. When the flies get inside, they get zapped by a gentle electric current, and they fall dead.

 

Pros and Cons of Reusable Fly Traps

 

Like disposable fly traps, reusable ones have their own pros and cons. Learning about them, you’ll know which type is more suitable for your use.

 

Pros

 

Reusable traps are cost-efficient because they’re not meant to be replaced. Whether you have a jar or a zapper, it’ll keep working until its life expectancy runs out. So, you won’t have to buy fly traps every now and then.

There’s also the fact that they’re environment-friendly. You don’t keep disposing of anything into the environment, so you’re not negatively affecting it.

Moreover, reusable fly traps are highly efficient. As long as the zapper is plugged in, it’ll keep working, catching hundreds of flies daily.

 

Cons

 

Reusable traps need regular maintenance. If you have a zapper, you’ll have to empty it out every few days to avoid a crowd of dead flies. The same goes for the jar; you’ll have to replace the pouch at least once every week to keep the attractant working.

 

Reusable Fly Traps – The Final Verdict

 

Generally, reusable fly traps are better for severe infestations and ongoing problems. If you always have flies in your house, no matter what you do, then a reusable fly trap is your only solution.

On the other hand, if you only have a new infestation or a couple of flies because of the hot weather, disposable fly traps are your go-to. They’re easier to deal with in this case.

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