Flies can be annoying insects - they buzz around, lay down on food, and are typically quite annoying. They can be a talking point for some people, while they are food for other creatures. Whether you want to catch them to feed other animals or just to get rid of them, there are several methods you can try.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: with Traps
Step 1. Set up a trap with a plastic bottle
This is one of the most effective home methods of catching these insects.
- Unscrew and remove the cap of a simple plastic water bottle, then use a pair of scissors to pierce it and cut the top quarter.
- Fill the base of the bottle with 50g of sugar, 60ml of water and a couple of drops of blue food coloring; the blue color attracts flies, as well as transparent liquids and most of the colors, as long as it is not the yellow that is the only one that drives them away. Alternatively, you can make the bait by mixing a small amount of water with dish soap and a few drops of apple cider vinegar.
- Take the top of the bottle you cut, turn it over and place it on the other side to form a funnel; flies are able to enter the trap, but then have a lot of difficulty getting out.
- Place the trap in a sunny spot where these insects often fly and wait for some to gather inside.
Step 2. Create a trap using a glass jar and cling film
If you don't have plastic bottles available, you can make this other type of craft trap with a glass jar (or even a glass) and some cling film.
- Fill the jar almost to the rim with a solution of water and sugar or sugar dissolved in apple cider vinegar with a splash of dish soap.
- Take a piece of cling film and cover the opening of the jar; use a rubber band to hold it in place so it doesn't come off.
- With a pen or a pair of scissors make a small hole in the center of the plastic; in this way, insects can enter the pot but once inside they drown in the liquid.
- Keep the trap in a sunny spot, outdoors or in a spot where many flies are concentrated.
Step 3. Use fly paper
It's a type of sticky paper that you can hang around the house to catch flies with minimal effort.
The paper is covered with a sweet, sticky (and sometimes toxic) substance that attracts these insects that stick to it; it is rather unpleasant to the eye, but it is a very effective method
Step 4. Make homemade fly paper
While you can buy the commercial one at most hardware stores, you can make the non-toxic version with brown food paper, sugar, and maple syrup.
- Cut a brown paper bag into strips 2-3 cm wide.
- Use a pen to punch a hole in the end of each strip and pull string or thread through it to create a loop.
- Mix 120 ml of maple syrup with 30 g of white sugar and the same amount of brown sugar in a large saucepan.
- Dip the strips of paper into the mixture (letting the string hang over the edge of the bowl) and let them soak for several hours or overnight.
- Remove the paper from the mixture and hold it over the sink until it stops dripping. Then hang the strips indoors and outdoors, wherever you have a fly problem.
Method 2 of 3: with the Hands
Step 1. Cup your hand
The first thing to do to catch a fly with your bare hands is to fold the dominant one so that it forms a dome.
- Practice bringing your fingertips quickly towards the base of the palm.
- Make sure you leave an empty space inside your hand to hold the fly in.
- Be careful: if you close your hand too tightly or into a fist, you will simply swat the fly; But if you don't mind that the insect dies, this is not a problem.
Step 2. Wait for it to settle
When you want to catch these pesky creatures with your hands, you need to wait for them to land on a flat surface, such as a table or kitchen counter.
- Approach slowly; any sudden movement can alarm the insect and force you to wait for it to land again.
- By letting it stop on a stable surface you can predict its moves more accurately.
- Make sure the area is clear to avoid hitting other objects while trying to catch the fly.
Step 3. Quickly move your cupped hand over the insect
Once this is stationary, bring your hand over it a few inches, wave it and close it as you practiced earlier.
- When the fly senses your movement, it gets scared and flies up right in the direction of your hand.
- As soon as it is in the space bounded by the slightly curved palm, close your fingers to trap it; at this point you can release it outdoors, put it in a jar to observe it or give it to a pet as food.
Method 3 of 3: with a glass
Step 1. Get the material
For this method you need a glass, preferably made of transparent plastic that does not break and allows you to see the contents, and a sheet of paper or a large card.
The glass traps the fly and the sheet closes the container preventing it from escaping
Step 2. Wait for the insect to land
It is much easier to capture it when it is stationary on a stable surface such as a table, kitchen counter, or window glass.
Move slowly towards the fly; any abrupt movement scares her and forces you to wait for her to land again
Step 3. Place the glass over the fly
When it is stationary on an object, trap it quickly but silently with the container; if you miss it, follow its flight until it alights again.
Step 4. Slide the paper under the glass
When the insect is in the container, you have to face the question of lifting the glass without letting the contents out; a sheet of paper or a card can solve the dilemma.
Make sure you keep the container almost snug against the table as you slide the paper underneath; if you leave too large a crack, the fly can escape
Advice
- Try to trap the insect in an enclosed, small area like the bathroom.
- Close all doors and windows; leaving them open you can get rid of the fly, but at the same time you allow others to enter.
- Act quickly but quietly.
- Flies can live up to 30 days if they have food and water available and up to 15 days without any source of food and hydration; if you can't catch them, you can wait for them to die.
