How to Kill House Flies (without using chemicals)

The common house fly is a small pest that can be a large nuisance. Additionally, flies carry E-coli and other diseases. Follow these steps to eliminate your unwanted house guests within 24 hours using common, safe household ingredients.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Glass jars
• Plastic cling wrap
• Rubber bands
• Water
• Granulated Sugar
• Honey or Maple Syrup
• Vinegar

1. 
   Photo from Wikimedia.org

   If you have a fly infestation, you need to find the source before you even get out the fly swatter. Flies lay their eggs in animal feces, old food, and stagnant water. Clean out your cat's litter box, wash any unclean dishes, take out your garbage, and clean your house thoroughly.

2. 
   Photo from AllAmericanPatriots.com

   Once you have reduced or eliminated the attractive hatching spots, it is time to build your fly traps. Heat 2 cups of water on the stove. Do not boil.

3. 
   Photo from DKImages.com

   Stir in 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup maple syrup, and 1/3 cup white vinegar. Continue to heat until ingredients have dissolved.

4. 
   Photo from KangarooBlue.com

   Pour the mixture evenly into a couple 8 ounce glass jars, filling each of them half full. Do this in your sink in case you spill. DO NOT SPILL MIXTURE! Spillage will create a sticky mess for you to clean up, and it will distract flies from your traps.

5. 
   Photo from Akikobaldridge.com

   Stretch a piece of plastic cling wrap over the top of each jar. Secure it in place with a rubber band round the neck of the jars.
   
   Poke 3 or 4 holes in the plastic wrap, large enough for a housefly to crawl through. Use a paper clip or needle to poke the initial hole, and then widen it gradually.

6. Make as many jars as you want, depending on how many flies are on the loose. Place the jars in open areas around your home. If you have children or pets, be sure to place the jars out of their reach.
   
   The flies will be attracted to the sweet pungent smell of the sugary vinegar mixture and will find the jars. Once they crawl through the plastic holes, they will try to land on the liquid for a drink, where they will get stuck and drown.

7. This should catch most or all of your flies within one to two days. Once the flies are gone, clean up the jars. You don't want to leave them out for too long.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are more adventurous, you can break out your old fly swatter and take a more aggressive approach. However, be prepared to clean fly guts off the wall.
• Wash your hands after touching flies to avoid the spread of disease and illness.

[turtledove]

on 7/29/2009 This sounds so simple. I've got to try it. 5*

[boatst]

on 7/16/2009 Good way to get rid of flies thanks

[mashell3752]

on 7/15/2009 great article 5*

[diamondeyed]

on 7/11/2009 This sounds like a good one, I will try it!

[sonni57]

on 7/2/2009 I'm the adventurous type I kill them with whatever I can find like a magazine the flies have to go!