The 8 Best Fly Traps to Catch the Critters Both Indoors and Out

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Best Overall Fly Trap

Victor Fly Magnet Fly Trap

This reusable fly trap attracts a broad range of common flies, including house, barn and bottle. It’s also really easy to set up. Simply add the pre-mixed bait—consisting of non-toxic, dehydrated food-grade ingredients—to a little warm water, then swirl and wait. Once the trap is full, re-bait, fill up with water and the fly magnet is ready to go again. Be sure to place the trap away from food and gathering spaces, since it’ll draw an abundance of flies.

Pros

• Reusable
• Works in both shade and sun
• Diamond-shaped lid designed to attract more flies
• When used as directed, safe around kids and pets

Cons

• Attractants can be smelly

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Best Budget Fly Trap

Gideal Dual-Sided Yellow Sticky Traps

These traps aren’t just affordable, they’re also highly effective. The sticky traps‘ design ensnares not only regular flies, but also fruit flies, gnats and biting insects such as midges and fleas. The fly traps come with two stands for placing in houseplants or your garden’s vegetable patch. Bonus: They’re waterproof and temperature-resistant, so they won’t lose their stickiness in the elements.

Pros

• Affordable
• Value packs come in counts of 12, 20, 30 and 50
• Safe to use indoors and outdoors
• Includes 20 twist ties for hanging

Cons

• May not be sticky enough to snag larger insects

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Best Outdoor Fly Trap

Flies Be Gone Fly Trap

Surprisingly powerful, this non-toxic fly catcher is ideal in places that commonly have a high volume of flies, such as dog kennels, horse stables, ranches and cabins. Just add water to the bag and let the bait packet inside dissolve. Snap the turret legs into the holes on the lid, suspend the trap (about 25 feet away from the fly source and 5 feet high), then sit back and watch the flies swarm in. For best results, hang the trap in a sunny, low-wind area and dispose of it before any eggs hatch.

Pros

• Works best where there are a lot of flies
• Attracts and captures thousands of flies in one bag
• Effective against pesticide-resistant flies
• Trap can be added to your composter

Cons

• May produce an odor due to the number of flies it catches

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Best Indoor Fly Trap

Gardner FlyWeb Classic Fly Light

Try this fly light trap if you’re looking for an indoor-friendly option. Unlike insect zappers, this energy-efficient lamp uses a patented technology that emits 9 watts of ultraviolet (UV) rays to tempt flies into the lamp, where a webbed glue board awaits. Plug it into any standard electrical outlet and it’s ready to go grab ’em!

Pros

• 600-square-feet attraction range
• Compact design
• Non-toxic glue board
• Comes in light grey and black

Cons

• On the pricier side

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Best Fly Trap for Windows

Catchmaster Window Fly Traps

Flies mainly settle on windows, so doesn’t it makes perfect sense to place sticky traps where they congregate most? Apply this waterproof, glue-adhesive sticky paper on windows near sills and panes, on glass patio doors or just about anywhere houseflies, fruit flies and gnats tend to touch down.

Five-star reviewer, Tammie Evans, says these traps work within seconds. “I put the traps in the corners of my window where I get the most traffic with the flies, and it has been a godsend. No more trying to kill flies all over my house. This product has saved my sanity!!!”

Pros

• Transparent material doesn’t block out light
• Simple peel-and-stick application
• Pre-baited and ready to use
• Come in 12-, 12XL-, 48- and 96-count packs

Cons

• Glue residue may be left behind

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Best Electronic Fly Trap

Zevo Flying Insect Trap

Wrangle flies without lifting a finger. The UV bio-attractant blue light mimics the sun and the moon’s navigational patterns to do the dirty work for you—luring flies without making a mess. The plug-in trap can be mounted on walls like a sconce, snaring flies, mosquitoes, gnats and moths continuously.

Pros

• Chemical-free, odorless and touchless
• Powerful adhesive backing
• Gives 24-hour protection
• Easy to set up

Cons

• Can be less effective on larger fly species

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Best Fruit Fly Trap

Terro Fruit Fly Trap

This fast-acting trap is pretty specific, designed to lure in those teeny-tiny, banana-eating adult fruit flies, toot suite. The traps are pretty cute, too, as they look like little red apples so they can blend right into your fruit bowl. The traps are most effective when placed near fruit fly breeding areas, such as trash cans, kitchen counters, sinks and other places where fruits and veggies are stored.

Pros

• Decreases fruit fly populations in a few days
• Each set of 12 fruit fly traps comes with 12 bottles of lure
• Each trap lasts up to 45 days
• Monitor catches and lure levels through built-in windows

Cons

• Lure isn’t sold separately

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Best Biological Fly Trap

Venus Flytrap Plant

A Venus flytrap is a carnivorous houseplant biologically engineered to digest the meat of animals (i.e., flies). An eco-friendly and effective way to keep flies under control, we admit they can be a bit unsettling with their hairy, mouth-like openings lying in wait for their prey. But even Charles Darwin was said to be a fan, stating that he thought the plant was one of the most wonderful in the world.

Pros

• Chemical-free, odorless and touchless
• Drought-tolerant and easy to care for
• Each comes fully rooted in a 3-inch pot
• Wallet-friendly

Cons

• Not practical for larger infestations
• May not be as effective

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What to Consider When Buying Fly Traps

When it comes to catching flies, there’s no one-size-fits-all pest control approach. When considering fly traps to buy, ask yourself:

• What type of flies do I have?
• Do I want the trap(s) for indoor or outside use?
• Are they eco-friendly and/or chemical-free?
• How easy are they are to use?
• Are the materials durable?

Types of Fly Traps

Simply put, fly traps are designed to attract, capture and contain flies until they can be disposed of. However, keep in mind that fly trap manufacturers’ methods for getting the job done can vary widely.

• Sticky traps: Also known as “fly paper,” this old-school method for snagging flies involves strips with a glue/attractant that encourages flies to land there. These are best used in garages, basements and other out-of-the-way areas.
• Bag/container traps: Ideal for outdoor use, these types of traps are usually filled with a mixture of water and an attractant that draws flies into small holes.
• Window traps: This updated version of fly paper is intended to stick to glass windows—the spot where indoor flies tend to hang out most. They’re easy to peel off and throw in the trash when the traps are full.
• Light traps: Lured in by a UV light, flies are captured inside the trap by a glue board or tiny vacuum fan.
• Biological traps: Venus flytraps or pitcher plants are a biological alternative, and can catch and digest organic animals and insects.

How We Found the Best Fly Traps

It goes without saying that there are a bewildering number of choices of fly traps out there. But have no fear—we’ve taken great pains to base our recommendations on verified customer reviews, subject matter-expert ratings, how easy they are to use and their value for the money. We also took time to ponder the pros and cons of each trap—and there were dozens in the running—to ensure we recommend traps that work.

FAQ

What’s the most effective fly trap?

That all depends on the type, concentration and location of the flies you are intending to trap.

• Outdoors: Traps containing chemicals or sticky materials can be messy and smelly, so they’re best for use on patios, decks and in the yard.
• Indoors: A smart option is a trap that attracts and catches flies using UV light, tiny vacuums or fans. These tend to be odorless and chemical-free, so they’re recommended for those with children or pets.
• Carnivorous plants: Not super-efficient volume-wise, these plants are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, plus they can be educational for the kiddos.

What’s the best bait for indoor fly traps?

When you’re attempting to lure and trap flies in your home, you want to stay away from baits that are smelly (fish and meat) or dangerous (containing pesticides). Your best bet is to use natural attractants, like overripe fruit, apple cider vinegar, or a mixture of water and fermenting substances, like molasses, honey or sugar.