How Do You Make A Fly Trap

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell, a story of triumph over tiny, buzzing foes. You know who I'm talking about - the little devils that turn your picnic into a swarm-fest. I'm talking about flies. Now, I'm no fly whisperer, but I've learned a thing or two about trapping these winged nuisances. So, grab a cuppa, and let's dive in.

Why Flies? Why Not Butterflies?

First off, let's address the elephant in the room. Why not make a butterfly trap? Well, butterflies are beautiful, graceful creatures. They're like the supermodels of the insect world. Flies, on the other hand, are more like the paparazzi - annoying, persistent, and always showing up uninvited. Plus, have you ever tried to catch a butterfly? It's like trying to catch a soap bubble with a fork. Flies, however, are a bit more... predictable.

Meet Your New BFF: The Flypaper

Now, before we get started, let's talk about the star of our show - flypaper. You know, that sticky, sweet-smelling stuff that's been around since the dawn of time (or at least since the 1800s). It's like fly crack, and it's our secret weapon. But don't worry, we're not going to make our own. That's a whole other can of worms (or flies, I guess). We'll just buy some. It's cheaper than therapy, and it's way more satisfying.

Let's Get Sticky

Alright, let's roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. First things first, you're gonna need a workspace. Somewhere you can make a mess without your mom (or roommate, or significant other) giving you the stink eye. A kitchen table works, but if you've got a shed or a garage, even better. Flies love a good workshop. It's like their version of a nightclub.

Now, grab your roll of flypaper. It's probably wrapped in plastic, like a tiny, sticky present. Unroll it carefully. This stuff is like the fly version of Velcro. Once it sticks to something, it's not letting go without a fight. Trust me, I've tried.

Next, you're gonna need something to hang your flypaper from. A string, a ribbon, a piece of yarn - whatever you've got lying around. Just make sure it's long enough to hang down into your trap. We'll get to that in a minute.

Time for a DIY Dance-off

Now, here's where things get a little... interesting. You're gonna need to attach your flypaper to your string without getting stuck yourself. It's like a real-life game of Operation. One wrong move, and you're gonna be stuck like a fly in... well, flypaper.

Here's a trick: Wrap the string around a pencil, then use the pencil to roll the flypaper around the string. It's like a tiny, sticky sushi roll. Once you've got it wrapped, carefully pull the pencil out. Et voilà! You've just performed a DIY dance-off with a roll of flypaper, and you didn't even get stuck. High-five!

Fly Trap With A Bottle at Colin Fleming blog

Building Your Fly Trap

Alright, now that you've got your flypaper string, it's time to build the actual trap. You can use a mason jar, a plastic bottle, or even a cardboard box. The key is to make it something that flies can enter, but not escape from. It's like a tiny, buzzing prison.

If you're using a jar or a bottle, cut a hole in the lid or the cap, big enough for a fly to fit through. Then, hang your flypaper string inside, so it's dangling down into the trap. The flies will be drawn in by the smell of the flypaper, and before they know it, they'll be stuck like... well, you know.

If you're using a box, cut a few holes in the sides, big enough for flies to enter. Then, hang your flypaper string inside, like before. You can even make it look like a little fly mansion, with cardboard walls and everything. Just don't get too attached to your little buzzing tenants.

Bait and Switch

Now, here's where things get a little sneaky. You're gonna need some bait to lure the flies into your trap. And no, I don't mean a cute little fly outfit or a tiny fly dating app. I mean something smelly. Like, really smelly.

Overripe fruit works great. You know, the kind that's starting to look like it's been through a war. Or you could use some leftover food from your fridge. The smellier, the better. Just make sure it's something flies would be interested in. No point in luring in a bunch of ants. They're not the ones ruining your picnic.

How To Make A Lantern Fly Trap

Place your bait inside your trap, and hang it up somewhere flies are likely to be. Like, near your trash can, or outside your kitchen window. You know, where the flies like to party.

The Waiting Game

And there you have it! Your very own fly trap. Now, all you have to do is wait. It might take a few hours, it might take a few days. But trust me, flies are like teenagers. They'll find your trap eventually. And once they do, they won't be able to resist the siren call of the flypaper.

Just remember, this is a living, breathing (well, buzzing) ecosystem you've created. So, be patient. Don't go checking on your trap every five minutes. The flies will get suspicious. They're not stupid, you know. They've evolved over millions of years. They're like the cockroaches of the insect world. Only smaller, and way more annoying.

The Great Fly Dump

Now, here's the part where things get a little... gross. Eventually, you're gonna need to dispose of your trapped flies. I know, I know, it's not the most glamorous part of the job. But someone's gotta do it. And that someone is you.

Here's a tip: Do it outside. Trust me on this one. You don't want to be dealing with a bunch of dead flies in your kitchen. That's a one-way ticket to a fly-themed nightmare. Plus, birds love flies. So, you can just hang your trap up somewhere, and let nature take its course. It's like a little fly buffet.

And there you have it! You're now a certified fly trapper. You've got the skills, the knowledge, the sticky hands. You're like a fly whisperer. A fly wrangler. A fly... well, you get the idea. So, go forth, my friend. Go forth and trap some flies. Your picnic blanket thanks you.