If you are tired of buying flying traps, see how you can make your own with items you probably already have at your house!

The summer and beginning of fall brings a lot of great things like fresh garden food, pool parties, and all those awesome BBQs. It also brings flies. I don’t think there is anything in this world more annoying than flies. Here in Idaho we have had weeks of HOT weather, which is perfect for these little guys to keep multiplying!

I have purchased hanging fly traps in the past and they do work. However, I was having to buy them almost twice a week. So I started researching ways to make my own homemade fly trap with items I already had around the house. This saves money and keeps me from having to make another trip to the store.

The Supplies to Kill Those House Flies:

Apple Cider Vingar or White Vinegar

Sugar

Water

Dish soap

A Mason Jar or Empty Bottle

How to Make Your Jar:

The measurements really don’t need to be perfect for this and to be honest I don’t always measure things out. Your goal here is to attract the flies and then drown them. I just added roughly 1/4 cup of sugar, about 3-4 inches of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup or so of water, and a drop of dish soap to my jar. You don’t need to dissolve the the sugar, I just stir it up a little bit. I had more of the apple cider vinegar on hand so that is what I decided to use. I also read that if you are not sure exactly what kind of flies are the nuisance at your home, a vinegar mix attractant is the best because almost all flies will be attracted to it.

Attach something to your jar to hang it if you would like. You can use some of the holes in the lid for twine or any other hanging material. If you don’t have the lid to the jar or don’t want to ruin a lid like I did, you could just put some saran wrap over the top of the jar and put some holes in it so the flies can get in. Then put a rubber band or the jar lid around the mouth to secure the saran wrap. If you don’t have a jar around, you can use an empty two litter bottle cut in half with the original opening flipped upside down and put into the bottom half. I have done this before, and it works too. It’s just not as pretty.

Once you have caught a bunch of flies (it won’t take long) you will need to empty this out. You can toss the whole jar if you are grossed out (ew). But if you want to keep it really frugal, it’s best just to empty and rinse it out and make your attractant again. Most people have all of these items at home so they can make one right away to keep the flies away. If you don’t have all of these items you can still buy them and save money over buying fly traps.

This time of year I bring lots of locally grown produce into my house to dry, can and freeze. See how I preserve produce. Fresh produce also brings those annoying fruit flies. I found a really simple solution for getting rid of them and I have been using it for years.

The Supplies for Fruit Flies:

Apple Cider Vinegar.

Jar, cup or mug

Saran Wrap

Fork/Knife

Rubber band or canning ring (I love these rubber canning rings)

Put 1/2 – 1 cup or apple cider vinegar in a cup, mug or jar. Cover with saran wrap. Secure with a canning ring or rubber band. Poke small holes in the plastic wrap with a fork. Set the cup near where the flies are gathering. Wait for the magic to happen.

I hope you love these simple, handy ideas! Be sure to pin this so you have it when you need it!

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