Best Overall
DynaTrap DT3009-1003P Flylight
- This reusable trap looks like a night light to blend into your home’s decor.
This reusable trap looks like a night light to blend into your home’s decor.
- It’s made for indoor use only.
It’s made for indoor use only.
The DynaTrap Flylight Indoor Insect Trap is our overall choice for the best fly trap, combining quick and efficient pest control with a sleek design. By using light as a lure and a sticky card to catch the insects, this trap isn’t smelly or noisy and is safe for use around children and pets. However, this trap is not waterproof and is not suitable for use outdoors.
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.”
To use, insert a glue card and plug the trap into any standard indoor outlet. For maximum effectiveness, it’s best to place the trap near common insect hotspots, including near houseplants, in kitchens, bathrooms, and garages. The trap starts working immediately to attract, trap, and kill flies, fruit flies, moths, and gnats, protecting rooms up to 600 square feet. Be sure to leave the trap plugged in at night because that’s when it can attract the most insects. Once insects are caught and killed, the discreet scone-like design hides them behind the decorative faceplate so you don’t have to see them.
Though this trap is usable for years, you will need to replace the glue every 30 to 60 days, or when the card is fully covered in insects. The Flylight comes with three replaceable StickyTech glue cards, and you can purchase more replacements separately.
Product Details: Type: Light trap | Quantity: One | Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor | Target Species: Fruit flies, house flies, drain flies, moths, and fungus gnats
Best Budget
Raid FR10-RAID Raid Fly Bug Catcher
- This pre-baited trap is odor-free.
This pre-baited trap is odor-free.
- The sticky strips can get caught on people or pets passing by, so they’re best for low-traffic areas.
The sticky strips can get caught on people or pets passing by, so they’re best for low-traffic areas.
The Raid Fly Ribbons are an easy choice as the best option for the budget-conscious. These sticky traps are long-lasting and free of insecticides and odors, which means you can safely hang them indoors or outdoors. The ribbons are already baited with a food-based attractant to lure in insects, saving you the hassle of applying bait. The trap is made to attract flies, but it will catch any flying insect that lands on the ribbon.
To use, pull the ribbon out of its cardboard container and hang with the included thumbtack. Keep in mind, these long and sticky brown strips hang 30 inches long and are not the most attractive option, so you may want to use the ribbons in areas guests won’t see them, such as in a garage, in your basement, or where you store your trash cans. In addition, the sticky strips can get caught on people or pets passing by, so you’ll want to be sure they are placed in low-traffic areas.
Though each ribbon can last up to three months, once the ribbon is full you should throw it away. The disposal method isn’t as clean as other options, but it’s fairly simple. Just wrap the trap in a newspaper, paper, or plastic bag, and throw it in the trash.
Product Details: Type: Sticky trap | Quantity: 10 | Indoor/Outdoor: Both | Target Species: Flies, moths, gnats
Best Indoor
Safer Home Indoor Fly Trap
- This indoor fly trap is discreet, blending in with home decor.
This indoor fly trap is discreet, blending in with home decor.
- This trap’s smaller size may require frequent glue card replacements.
This trap’s smaller size may require frequent glue card replacements.
The non-toxic Safer Indoor Fly Trap is the best option for indoors, especially for homes with curious kids and pets. The trap uses light as a lure so it doesn’t have any chemical insecticides or baits that could be harmful. The trap looks more like a night light or an air freshener than a fly trap and is one of the best-designed on our list, seamlessly blending in with home decor.
The trap uses a UV LED light to attract flying insects, which are then caught by the trap’s glue card. The thoughtful design hides the dead insects as they pile up on the glue card. This trap advertises 400 square feet of protection, so multiple traps may be required for full home coverage.
To use, peel off the backing of one of the two included glue cards and insert into the trap. Then plug in the trap near a spot where you frequently see insects. Keep the trap running continuously, as insects will be especially attracted to the light during the night. You will need to replace the glue cards as they get filled up with insects.
Product Details: Type: Light trap | Quantity: One | Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor | Target Species: Flies, fruit flies, drain flies, moths, and gnats
Best for Outdoors
Rescue! Disposable Fly Trap
- This trap is incredibly effective and can kill a lot of flies quickly.
This trap is incredibly effective and can kill a lot of flies quickly.
- The trap has a strong odor that could attract additional flies.
The trap has a strong odor that could attract additional flies.
The Rescue! Disposable Fly Trap is a disposable hanging fly trap that uses bait to attract flying insects and is our top recommendation for outside your home.
Putting traps outside not only helps with outdoor infestations, but can also help with your indoor fly problem as flies are often attracted into the area from items left outdoors. Dr. Thomas says house flies are attracted to “nearby garbage or garbage receptacles, decaying plants, lawn clippings, straw, mulch, and other organic items in the open.”
Compared to others on our list, this fly trap has a slightly more complex setup, and you’ll need to supply your own string or wire for hanging. Follow the directions on the bag to expose the trap entrance, then add water to activate the bait and hang the trap outside. Lured by the scent, flies enter the trap through the cap and drown in the water.
Due to the bait’s strong smell, you’ll need to hang the trap at least 20 feet away from any living spaces. If you have a porch or other outdoor living space, you’ll want to hang the trap away from these areas as the trap will attract any insects within smelling distance. Dr. Thomas cautions that, “Liquid fly containers have an attractant that can draw in more flies. They have been known to attract hundreds of flies that may otherwise not have been an issue.” However, Dr. Thomas says these traps work very well and are great to use if you need to kill a lot of flies—you’ll just want to be sure they’re placed outdoors and far away from the areas you’re trying to keep fly-free.
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.
Product Details: Type: Container trap | Quantity: Two | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor | Target Species: Flies
Best for Windows
Kensizer 30-Pack Window Fly Traps for Indoors
- The package comes with 30 traps to place on multiple windows around your home.
The package comes with 30 traps to place on multiple windows around your home.
- Caught flies will be easily visible on these clear sticky traps.
Caught flies will be easily visible on these clear sticky traps.
Near and around windows are a common insect hotspot. If this is an issue in your home, consider the Kensizer Window Fly Traps. These transparent sticky traps can be attached directly to the window to catch flies.
To use, peel and stick the traps to windows near areas where flies gather. The fresh traps are clean and completely transparent, blending into the window. This sticky trap has a specially designed, non-toxic glue that is safe for children and pets, and these traps are also odorless. Each package contains 30 disposable window fly traps, so you can cover problem areas throughout your home.
For those that don’t want to see a fly graveyard on the window, this may not be the best option for you as it is difficult to hide this style of trap once it begins catching insects. Once a trap is full of flies, peel it off and throw it in the trash. No sticky residue is left behind on the window.
Product Details: Type: Sticky trap | Quantity: 30 | Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor | Target Species: Flies, lady bugs
Best Zapper
Livin' Well Bug Zapper
- This effective bug zapper covers up to 1,500 square feet inside and outside.
This effective bug zapper covers up to 1,500 square feet inside and outside.
- This isn’t the best choice for families with small children or curious pets.
This isn’t the best choice for families with small children or curious pets.
The Livin' Well Bug Zapper is the best option for those who like the instant satisfaction of a zapper as it stops insects in their tracks. It works as an indoor and outdoor option for people who need all-around protection from pests. This weatherproof machine can survive unexpected rain storms and wear and tear.
The zapper has an enormous 1,500-square-foot effective radius from its powerful UVA light bulbs that attract all insects. Once inside, they are zapped with an electric shock and fall into a collection tray. Unlike many other bug zappers, it is fairly quiet when working and there are no loud, startling “zaps” while it does its job.
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.
This zapper has a hanging ring so you can hang it up on your porch or deck. However, the cable on this trap is 6 feet long, which means you will likely need an extension cord. The collection tray will need to be periodically cleaned of insects.
Product Details: Type: Zapper | Quantity: One | Indoor/Outdoor: Both | Target Species: All flying insects
Best Reusable
SEWANTA Fly Traps 32 oz
- This trap can catch up to 20,000 flies.
This trap can catch up to 20,000 flies.
- The setup process is more difficult than other traps.
The setup process is more difficult than other traps.
The Victor Fly Magnet M380 is the best fly trap that is reusable and suitable for outdoor use. This is a large trap at 32 ounces, and it’s capable of catching up to 20,000 flies. The kit includes three reusable traps, bait refills, and chains for easy hanging outdoors. The trap's lid has four holes for catching multiple flies at once. The container is made of a durable, hard plastic with a clear reservoir to monitor the fly level inside.
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.
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.
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.
Product Details: Type: Container trap | Quantity: Three | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor | Target Species: Flies
Best for Fruit Flies
Terro Fruit Fly Trap
- This fruit fly trap is easy to set up works quickly.
This fruit fly trap is easy to set up works quickly.
- You’ll need to place this trap near breeding areas for it to be effective.
You’ll need to place this trap near breeding areas for it to be effective.
The Terro Fruit Fly Trap is specifically designed to clear fruit fly infestations, making it the best choice for this species. The trap works quickly, decreasing fruit fly populations within a few days. To set up, simply pour the included bait into the traps, and place where it’s needed.
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.
These traps must be placed near fruit fly breeding areas in order to work. Dr. Thomas says fruit flies are attracted to “fruit and rotting organic matter.” This leads fruit flies to congregate around fruit bowls, sinks with food waste in the drain, and trash cans. Once the trap is filled with fruit flies or the bait has run out, toss the trap in the trash.
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.
Dr. Thomas advises how to tell them apart: “Red-eyed fruit flies are the ones most commonly encountered in homes. Fruit flies are yellow-brown in color with clear wings and usually less than 3 millimeters in length. Drain flies are up to 5 millimeters in length, tan to black in color with fine, fuzzy hairs similar to that of a moth on its wings and body.”
Product Details: Type: Container trap | Quantity: Four | Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor | Target Species: Fruit flies