How to Make a Fly Trap with a Liter Bottle
Plastic liter bottles that hold soda or water are perfect for making a simple flytrap at home. Making your own flytrap can be a project you do with your children for fun, or it could be a project to rid your home of house or fruit flies. Either way, flytraps are quick and easy to make and once you bait them, will trap any flies that come nearby. Homemade bottle fly traps work because the flies can find their way into the small opening of the liter bottle, but have difficulty finding their way back out again.
Things You'll Need
- Clean, empty 1-liter bottle
- Sharp knife or scissors
- 24-inch string
- Bait
Instructions
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1
Remove the top from the bottle.
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2
Cut around the top of the bottle just below the neck with a sharp knife or scissors.
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3
Flip the top of the bottle upside down, with the bottle opening facing downward, and insert the top section into the open bottom section of the bottle. Line up the cut edges so they are even.
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4
Poke a hole 1 inch below the top of the bottle with the tip of the knife or scissors. Punch through both layers of plastic. Repeat on the other side of the bottle.
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5
Thread the string through the holes, across the opening, and tie the ends together. Use this to hang the flytrap.
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6
Bait the trap by placing a small piece of raw meat, ripe fruit or sugar water in the bottom of the trap. Make a simple sugar syrup by combining 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 cup water and 2 tbsp. sugar.
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Hang the trap where the flies are most prominent. Alternatively, you can set the trap on a counter or table.
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Tips & Warnings
When placing the trap, locate areas where it will not attract rodents, pets or small children.
When the trap is full, empty the contents outside and replace the bait.
