Spring and summer are fly season throughout North America, and during the year’s warmer months, flies can become problematic pests in homes, barns, workplaces and gardens. So what can you do to control flies at home or work?

One effective method for pest control is a fly trap or fly catcher. Fly traps are convenient, low-cost devices that can be used in a variety of locations to control problem insects. Often, they use bait – whether a chemical scented bait or electronically – which lure flies into the trap. Today’s traps are more sophisticated and hygienic than those sticky, hanging paper traps you might remember from your grandpa’s barn. In fact, you can choose a number of devices, from electronic indoor/outdoor fly traps and easy-to-hide plastic bait stations, to discrete hanging traps and bottle fly catchers.

But which type of trap is right for your home, barn or workplace? Some devices are created to be used in home, because they employ non-toxic, non-smelling bait and are built with concealed stations. Other traps are designed for industrial – they’re made to catch flies fast and efficiently, yet may not be the most attractive.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Fly Trap

The type of fly trap you use depends on the location you’re targeting the pest. For instance, indoor locations, whether in the home or at the office, require traps that are designed to be used indoors, while indoor/outdoor traps should be used in barns and commercial properties. Here are a few things to consider:

• Type of Bait: Many fly catchers use scented baits to attract flies into the trap. Some of these traps may have strong odors, and in these cases, the traps should be used for outdoor applications. Also, fly trap bait is often chemical, and therefore, you should find a trap that is designed to protect users from coming in contact with the bait. This is especially important in areas where people are more likely to come into contact with the trap, like homes where small children or pets are present.
  

  

  
  

• Concealability: Many traps are designed to blend into their surroundings and be as discrete as possible. For example, fly bait stations are made of a sturdy plastic, and the pests enters into an enclosed house. Thus, once the insect enters the trap, the flies aren’t visible to people passing by. That makes more concealable traps ideal for indoor applications. In outdoor locations like barns or industrial facilities, concealability isn’t usually as much of a factor.3
• Location of Use: Often, traps are designed to be used in a certain location, whether a windowsill or area a door jamb. For instance, bait stations and bottle traps can be placed near problem areas like windows, while hanging traps are designed to be hung in open air near the problem locations. Plus, be sure to choose a trap that is designed for indoor or outdoor use, depending on where you’ll be putting it.
• Electronic vs. Baited Traps: Today, electronic traps are becoming more common, and they’re just as cost-effective as baited traps. Electronic traps use lights and suction systems to lure pests into the trap. The biggest difference is cost. Baited traps usually cost a few dollars per trap, while top-of-the-line electronic traps can cost $50 or more. Plus, electronic traps may not be suited for outdoor locations, where weather extremes can cause malfunctions.

Shop an assortment of fly traps and fly catchers on Deelat.com. We have electronic fly catchers, as well as some of the most effective baited fly traps on the market. Here, you’ll find some of the best prices on the web – we guarantee it.