10 Best Home Made Fly Trap Ideas: Easy-Made and Work

If you’ve ever dealt with swarms of flies buzzing around your kitchen, trash can, or back porch, you know how frustrating it can be. Whether you live in the sunny suburbs of Tucson, Arizona or a cozy lakeside home in Upstate New York, flies are a universal problem—especially during warmer months. But don’t worry, you don’t need expensive gadgets or harmful chemicals to get relief. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 of the best home made fly trap ideas that are easy to make, cost-effective, and actually work. These traps use common household items to target both house flies and fruit flies naturally.

1. Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap (The Kitchen Hero)

This is one of the most popular and effective indoor fly trap solutions. All you need is a small bowl, apple cider vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap. The vinegar attracts the flies, and the soap breaks the surface tension so they sink and drown. This home made fly trap works especially well in kitchens and pantries, where fruit flies love to linger.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar

• 2–3 drops dish soap

• Small bowl or cup

Place the bowl near your fruit basket or trash bin, and let it sit overnight. By morning, you’ll likely find dozens of tiny victims inside. If you're unsure what species you're dealing with, take a look at Types of Flies In North America to better tailor your trap.

2. Plastic Bottle Trap (Great for Outdoors)

If you need a DIY fly trap for outdoor use—like your patio or near the dog’s food bowl—this soda bottle fly catcher is a lifesaver. Cut a plastic soda bottle in half, invert the top like a funnel, and pour in a bait mixture like sugar water, honey water, or vinegar.

Bonus Tip: Add a few drops of dish soap to make it more lethal.

This design is popular in more humid areas like Tallahassee, Florida, where outdoor fly problems are year-round. Curious why flies swarm so heavily near waste areas or sweet foods? 10 Reasons of having Fly offers insights into what’s drawing them in.

3. Banana Peel Jar Trap

Got a few overripe bananas? Use them to your advantage. Flies can’t resist the smell of fermenting fruit.

Steps:

• Place banana peels in a mason jar

• Cover with plastic wrap and poke small holes

• Flies crawl in but can’t find their way out

It’s a cheap fly trap idea using common kitchen items and works great in compost areas too.

4. Honey and Water Sticky Trap

This is a non-toxic fly trap ideal for households with pets or children. You simply mix honey and water, apply it to a strip of paper or plastic, and hang it near windows or lights.

Ingredients:

• Honey

• Warm water

• Thick cardstock or plastic sheet

Flies get stuck to the sticky surface. It’s a great alternative to chemical-laced flypaper and one of the simplest fly trap DIY ideas out there.

5. Wine Trap (Perfect for the Wine Lovers)

Leftover wine? Don’t pour it down the drain—use it to make your own fly trap.

Steps:

• Pour a bit of red wine into a glass

• Add a drop of dish soap

• Cover with plastic wrap and poke holes

This home made fly trap works wonders for catching fruit flies in your kitchen or bar area. Understanding Fly Behavior can help you choose the best bait and placement.

6. Milk, Sugar, and Pepper Trap (An Old-Fashioned Recipe)

This one’s a little old-school but surprisingly effective. It comes from early 20th-century Europe and still works today.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup milk

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper

Simmer together and pour into a shallow dish. Place it near fly-prone areas. It’s one of the best home made fly trap ideas for summer picnics or outdoor gatherings.

7. Citrus Peel and Vinegar Jar

This natural fly trap smells great and looks clean. Place lemon or orange peels in a jar with vinegar, then use the same funnel/plastic wrap trap design.

This design is favored in urban homes in San Francisco where people prefer chemical-free fly catcher options that are still stylish.

8. Tomato Water Trap

If you're gardening or growing tomatoes, this trick is perfect. Soak tomato scraps in water and let them ferment a day. The smell lures flies in droves.

Steps:

• Add tomato scraps to a jar

• Fill with water and wait 24 hours

• Cover with plastic wrap and poke holes

It’s a budget fly control option that works especially well near compost bins. Flies often breed in decaying food and waste—many of which are listed among the 30 Common Household Pests you should watch out for.

9. DIY Fly Trap with Sticky Tape

You can make sticky tape traps at home by applying a sugar and water paste to paper strips and hanging them with string.

Paste Recipe:

• 1 part sugar

• 1 part water

• Optional: a few drops of honey

Hang near doorways or windows to intercept flies as they enter.

10. Herb-Infused Vinegar Trap

Combine the fly-attracting power of vinegar with calming herbs like basil or mint. This adds an aromatic twist and is especially suitable for use in living rooms or bedrooms.

Tip: Use apple cider vinegar for better results.

It’s a stylish, home crafted fly trap that won’t make your home smell bad.

Tips to Maximize Effectiveness

• Always place your traps near where flies gather: trash cans, fruit bowls, sinks, or pet food areas.

• Change the bait every 2–3 days to keep it fresh and effective.

• Use multiple traps in larger spaces for full coverage.

• Combine traps with good sanitation practices for long-term results.

Why Use a Home Made Fly Trap?

These traps are simple, effective, and safe. Whether you need an indoor fly trap solution or something for the backyard BBQ, building a fly trap at home puts you in control—without relying on sprays or harsh chemicals. Plus, they're budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and a great weekend project.

FAQs

1. What is the best home made fly trap that actually works?
Apple cider vinegar with dish soap in a small bowl is often the most effective and easiest solution.

2. How do you make a fly trap at home step by step?
Choose a bait (like vinegar or sugar water), place it in a container, cover with plastic wrap, and poke holes on top.

3. What is the best bait for a home made fly trap?
Apple cider vinegar, banana peels, red wine, and sugar water are top choices depending on the fly type.

4. Will a home made fly trap work for fruit flies?
Yes. Most DIY fly traps are especially effective against fruit flies, particularly those using sweet, fermenting bait.

5. How many fly traps should I use in my house?
Use one per problem area—typically kitchen, trash area, and near windows. For heavy infestations, more traps improve results.