Fly Trap

Make your own fly trap without using chemicals or poison!

Here’s a simple guide on how to make a cheap and easy fly trap using a 2-liter soda bottle:

1. Prepare the bottle:

Take a clean, empty 2-liter soda bottle.
Cut the top part of the bottle just below where it starts to curve inward, using scissors or a sharp knife.

2. Assemble the trap:

Invert the top part of the bottle (the funnel part) and insert it into the bottom part.
Secure the two pieces together if necessary, using tape around the cut edge to ensure no flies can escape.

3. Bait the trap:

Place a small piece of meat (like a bit of leftover cooked meat) inside the bottom of the bottle.
Add enough water to cover the meat. This helps create an odor that attracts flies.

4. Set up the trap:

Place the trap in areas where flies are a problem. You might want to set up multiple traps around the area for better effectiveness.

5. Maintenance:

Check the trap periodically and replace the bait as needed when it decomposes or the water evaporates.
Dispose of trapped flies and refresh the water and bait to keep the trap effective.

Using three or four of these traps can significantly reduce the fly population in a large area. They are effective because flies are attracted to the scent of the bait, enter the trap through the funnel, and then are unable to find their way out.

More Natural Ways to Trap and Repel Flies

There are many easy, affordable, and chemical-free methods to reduce or eliminate flies around your home, garden, or smallholding. These options are safe for children, pets, and the environment, making them ideal for organic food growers.

1. Banana & Bottle Trap (No Poison)

What you need:

1 plastic bottle (1.5L or smaller)
Overripe banana or mango peel
Small amount of water
Scissors

How to make it:

Cut the top third of the bottle off.
Add some banana pieces and water to the bottom half.
Invert the top part and insert it like a funnel into the bottom.
Flies are attracted to the smell, enter the bottle, and can’t escape.

Why it works: Flies are drawn to the rotting fruit, and the funnel design prevents them from leaving.

2. Vinegar & Soap Trap (Indoor Safe)

What you need:

A bowl or jar
Apple cider vinegar (or any fruit vinegar)
Dish soap (biodegradable preferred)

Instructions:

Pour vinegar into the jar.
Add a drop of dish soap (this breaks the surface tension).
Flies land on the surface and drown.

Great for: Indoor use near compost bins, fruit bowls, or food prep areas.

3. Clingwrap Trap (Quick Kitchen Fix)

You’ll need:

A small jar
Sweet bait: overripe fruit, sugar water, or fruit juice
Clingfilm
Toothpick

Place bait in the jar, cover with clingfilm, and poke a few small holes. The flies get in, but they struggle to get out.

4. Sticky Fly Paper (DIY Version)

Make your own natural sticky traps:

Brown paper strips
Sugar and honey mixture
String or thread

Boil ½ cup of sugar, ¼ cup honey, and ¼ cup water to make a sticky syrup. Dip the paper strips in the mixture, let them dry slightly, and hang them near problem areas.

5. Fly Repellent Herbs and Plants

You can also discourage flies by planting natural repellents like:

Basil
Mint
Lavender
Rosemary
Lemongrass

These can be grown in pots near doorways, kitchens, or compost areas to keep flies away with their strong scents.

External Resources and DIY Videos

Tips for Best Results

Place traps in sunny spots but out of the wind.
Empty and refill traps every 2–3 days to prevent odour buildup.
For best results, combine traps with good hygiene: cover compost, keep food sealed, and clean animal areas regularly.

Worthwhile videos:

The Great Namibian Fly Trap Fable (Funny Ending with a Buzz)

Once upon a time, in a peaceful village nestled between acacia trees and dung piles, the people lived in harmony—except for one enemy: flies.

These were not your ordinary flies. These were the bush-fly elite, trained in stealth, bred in dung heaps, and with the courage to land directly on your nose right after walking on goat poop.

People tried everything. Swatting? Too slow. Poison? Too risky. Prayers? Unanswered. That’s when Old Man Petrus, who had only one working eye but a sharp mind, stepped in with his invention: The Ultimate Fly Trap 2000. (It was actually just a cut bottle with overripe tsamma melon, but don’t tell him.)

The villagers were sceptical. “Petrus, that looks like trash,” said one woman. “Exactly,” he replied. “To a fly, trash is treasure.” Within an hour, it caught seventeen flies. By sunset, forty-seven. By the next morning, it was full—and Old Man Petrus had become a local hero.

The secret? No poison, no fuss, and no expensive gadgets. Just a simple fly trap made from what was already lying around.

Now, children across the village compete to build the best fly trap from scratch. One girl even invented a solar-powered fly trap (well, it was just warm because it sat in the sun, but still). The flies don’t stand a chance.

So, remember: flies may be persistent, but Namibians are smarter. All it takes is a little creativity, some rotten fruit, and the willingness to be outwitted by a one-eyed elder with a plastic bottle.

Build your own fly trap. Impress your friends. Protect your soup.

And above all: Never let a fly finish its landing before you finish your trap.