However, be aware that fruit flies are often confused with drain flies, as they are both small flies that can be attracted to kitchen areas. Traps designed for fruit flies may not be effective against drain flies.

Fly traps will work best if placed near insect hot spots, such as near doors, garbage cans, kitchen sinks, windows, and compost. Some traps, like outdoor traps that use smelly bait, will need to be placed far from living spaces due to their odor. Keep in mind that some traps may only have an effective radius big enough to cover one room and will not protect the entire home. When the trap is full, discard the dead insects into the trash, re-bait, and add water to reuse the trap. The wide mouth of the trap allows easy filling and washing, though keep in mind the trap should not be cleaned in a dishwasher. To use, empty bait into a trap, add warm water to the fill line, and swirl to mix. Once baited and ready to use, hang the trap outside near a fly source like garbage or compost pile. As the trap fills up with flies, add enough water to keep flies submerged. READ NEXT: The best house plants to buy The best fly killers to buy in 2023 1. Zero In Handy Bug Bat: Best traditional fly swatter

After 30 days or once the trap is full, wrap a bag around the trap and put it in the trash. These traps are specially designed for flies—if mosquitoes are the problem insect in your yard, you might want to hire a mosquito control company or use a mosquito repellent. If you’re interested in natural outdoor pest control methods, consider planting insect-repelling outdoor plants in your garden or around your home. Dr. Thomas says this type of trap is her recommendation for a typical pest control situation. She says, “for indoor control of flies, I recommend a light trap. These plug-in light traps will capture a variety of species and can be plugged in near the source of infestation.” The non-staining bait within the trap attracts adult fruit flies, and the apple-shaped trap design is designed to blend into the kitchen, a favorite hangout spot for fruit flies. Each trap has a built-in window, allowing you to easily keep an eye on how many flies have been caught and bait levels. Each of the two traps included lasts up to 45 days, giving you up to 90 days of protection.

This reusable option is best suited for situations when you have a large number of flies in outdoor areas and don’t want to keep replacing traps. Since the strong-smelling bait will attract flies, ensure that you place these traps at least 20 feet away from living areas or other spaces that you’re trying to keep free of flies. Always identify your species of fly before purchasing a trap—not all flies are attracted to the same traps,” Thomas says. “A successful fly program starts with cleaning up the source of infestation, sealing any entryways, and trapping and/or treating the remaining adults and larvae.”While there is a protective grille and low voltage, Dr. Thomas says she advises families with small children to, “avoid electrical traps that zap insects. These can hurt little fingers if something is injected into the wiring unit.” Because of this, you’ll also want to keep zappers away from pets.