Fly Trap FAQs

How it works

What do I do with the pouch in the Fly Trap? 

The pouch contains the fly attractant. It will dissolve when water is added to the trap according to the package directions.

What kills the flies?

Once inside, the flies cannot escape and eventually drown in the water added to the trap.

What is the range of the trap?

The trap will cover a radius of 10 to 20 feet.

How long will the Fly Trap last?

It depends on how bad your fly problem is. Each Disposable Fly Trap can capture between 15,000 to 20,000 flies. The Big Bag Fly Trap has the capacity to hold 40,000 flies. Depending upon the degree of your fly problem, the trap can fill up in anywhere from three days to two weeks to several months.

Does the Fly Trap have an expiration date?

No; the unused attractants will last indefinitely.

Water is evaporating in the trap; can I add more?

Yes; the water should be at the fill line so that there will be enough for the flies to drown.

How do I dispose of the trap?

When the Disposable Fly Trap bag is full, push the top cap in and place the entire trap in the garbage. You may want to wrap it in a separate plastic bag first to prevent it from leaking.

How do I know when the trap is full?

The trap is full when the flies are no longer able to get in because the cone entrance is blocked. The water in the trap will also appear black.  

Does the trap work on fruit flies?  

Occasionally the trap may catch a few fruit flies, but it is really intended for common house flies or filth flies – those that are bothersome in areas around garbage, dog kennels and livestock.  

Where it works

Can the trap be used indoors?  

No; the trap is meant for outdoor use only, for several reasons. It is intended to draw the flies away from human activity. It also needs sunlight to activate the attractant and air circulation to disperse it. In addition, the odor from the attractant may make it unpleasant to use indoors.  

Where do I place the trap?  

Hang from a tree limb, fence or post. Hang about 20-40 feet from a house, to draw flies away from human activity.   

The trap will work in the shade when the temperature is very warm, but in cooler temperatures, placing the trap in direct sunlight will help activate the attractants.   

Some good locations for the trap: Near stables and barns, next to a dog kennel (high enough to be out of reach of the dog), near garbage containers, compost piles, etc.  

Safety

What ingredients are in the attractant?  

The attractant is not a poison. The actual ingredient list is a trade secret. All of the active ingredients in the powder attractant are approved by the FDA as either food or feed ingredients. The other components are either food ingredients, very safe or inert.

My pet ate the trap/attractant. Is it harmful? What should I do?  

The attractants could cause a slightly uncomfortable sensation in the animal’s mouth or an irritated stomach similar to what humans experience when they eat hot or spicy foods. 

Give the animal a bowl of water or milk to drink, to dilute the product, and keep the animal under observation. Symptoms should resolve themselves within a few hours after ingestion.   

If the trap contains a significant amount of dead insects, this can cause bacteria exposure leading to vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration.  

Scientists and veterinarians have reviewed the possible effects of the ingredients and have found no lasting harmful effects.