Flies are more than just annoying little pests. They can carry bacteria, contaminate your food, and make summer afternoons outdoors far less enjoyable. If you’re tired of swatting them away, there’s a simple, cheap, and eco-friendly solution you can make at home: a fly trap made from a plastic bottle. In this article, we’ll guide you through how to create the best fly trap using items you already have, explain why it works, and share tips to make it even more effective.
Why Make a Fly Trap at Home?
Store-bought fly traps can be expensive and often contain chemicals you don’t want near your food or family. A homemade fly trap:
- Is safe and non-toxic
- Costs nothing to make
- Helps recycle plastic waste
- Works just as well (or even better!)
What You’ll Need
To make your own fly trap, you only need a few everyday materials:
- 1 empty plastic bottle (1 to 2 liters)
- Scissors or a craft knife
- Tape or staples
- Water
- Sugar or honey
- Yeast (optional, but highly effective)
- A small piece of ripe fruit or meat (depending on the type of fly you’re targeting)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cut the Bottle
Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut the plastic bottle in half, just below the neck where it starts to widen.

2. Invert the Top
Take the top part of the bottle (the part with the cap), remove the cap, and place it upside-down inside the bottom part. It should look like a funnel sitting in a cup.
3. Secure the Pieces
Tape or staple the edges to hold the two pieces together tightly. This prevents flies from escaping once they enter.
4. Prepare the Bait
In the bottom part of the bottle, mix:
- 1 cup of warm water
- 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon of yeast (optional)
The yeast eats the sugar and produces carbon dioxide, which mimics human or animal breath an irresistible signal for flies.
If you’re targeting fruit flies, add a piece of overripe fruit instead of yeast. For houseflies, a small piece of raw meat or fish will work better.
5. Place the Trap
Set your trap in a place where flies are most active near the trash, compost, or in the kitchen. Avoid placing it near food preparation areas.
How It Works
Flies are attracted by the smell of fermenting sugar, fruit, or meat. They enter through the funnel, but once inside, they can’t find the way out. Eventually, they tire and drown in the liquid.
Tips for Success
- Change the bait every 3–5 days to keep the trap effective.
- Place multiple traps if you have a large fly problem.
- Use darker bottles or place the trap in a shaded area flies prefer dark spots.
- Add a drop of dish soap to break surface tension and make sure flies drown faster.
Eco Bonus: Reuse and Recycle
This fly trap isn’t just effective—it’s also a great way to repurpose plastic bottles that might otherwise end up in the trash. You can make new traps every week using used bottles, turning waste into a useful tool for your home.
A Few Variations
- Hanging trap: Poke holes on the sides of the bottle and hang it outdoors.
- Screw-top version: Poke a few small entry holes near the top of the bottle and skip the funnel.
- Colored bottle: Try using a green or brown bottle to attract more flies some are more sensitive to light than others.
With just a plastic bottle, a few household ingredients, and five minutes of your time, you can say goodbye to annoying flies no chemicals, no expensive gadgets. Whether you’re trying to protect your kitchen, your pets’ food area, or your backyard BBQ, this DIY fly trap is one of the easiest and most sustainable solutions out there.
Follow us here:
Lifekaki Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lifekaki
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeKaki/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LifeKaki_
Telegram: https://t.me/lifekaki
Linktr: https://linktr.ee/lifekaki
Moj: https://mojapp.in/@life_kaki
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/lifekaki
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifekaki_diy
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@lifekaki_diy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifekaki_diy/
Related Videos You Might Like:
- Lamp made from glass jar and stones from the sea
- DIY Lamp from a Crystal Flower Vase – Festive Decoration Idea
- DIY LED Night Light with Coffee Jar and Orbeez – A Stunning Home Glow Project
- Build an Easy DIY Smartphone Projector Using a Shoebox and Lens
- Useful tips – Tricks of MASTERS that really help out! – Lifehacks
- How to tie a shoelace with a metal ring
DIY LED Night Light with Coffee Jar & Orbeez – Stunning Glow Effect!
Let’s Hear from You!
Did you know about this method? Drop your experience or questions in the comments! Your feedback helps and inspires others.
Leave a Reply