The 7 Best Fly Traps of 2023

Here are the best fly traps to use in any season.

After speaking with Mannes, we researched dozens of fly traps, evaluating their effectiveness, ease of use, method of capture, and value.

Flies can sometimes be difficult to control. But there are solutions to ridding your home of the winged pests . Your main strategy, says Cindy Mannes, a senior vice president for the National Pest Management Association, is “identifying the source of the pest and employing commonsense solutions for control.” Fly traps are an easy and effective form of commonsense solutions.

Best Overall

Starbar Fly Terminator Pro

4.8

 Amazon

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What We Like

• No electricity needed

• Insecticide-free

• Catches 35,000 flies

• Rustproof

• Inexpensive

What We Don’t Like

• As with many traps, leaves unpleasant odor

We favor this fly trap for its volume and effectiveness in catching a slew of flying-insect species. The manufacturer says the plastic, insecticide-free Starbar Fly Terminator Pro can catch up to 35,000 flies before the 1-ounce, water-soluble attractant pouch needs discarding (two are included).

The 1-gallon jug-style trap is a serious remedy, designed for what the manufacturer calls “medium-level” fly issues. You can hang it from the included durable handle close to where it’s needed most such as by a back door or in the corner of a small yard. Just don’t rest it close to a wall, or it fills with cockroaches and other creepy-crawlies, drawn to its significant odor.

The smell can be unpleasant to pets and small children who may get close to it. We’ve noted that many who use this trap recommend that you be careful to place this highly effective trap downwind!

Price at time of publish: $30

Type: Plastic trap | Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 11 inches | Targeted Species: All flies | Power Cable Length: Not applicable

Best Budget

Rescue Disposable Fly Trap

 Amazon

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What We Like

• No electricity needed

• Insecticide-free

• Easy to use

• Fast-acting

• Disposable

What We Don’t Like

• As with many traps, leaves unpleasant odor

Spending money on a fly trap is usually not a top priority. That’s why this is a top pick of ours: It comes at a bargain price, is designed to eliminate up to 20,000 flies, according to the manufacturer, and is effective very quickly. We’ve spotted flies trapped inside a mere hour after installing it.

Just hang these traps in your backyard, add water, and watch the insects flock to this attractant. After positioning the trap, you cut away the top circle and add your included hanger and water, then position the trap (recommended at least 20 feet from living spaces). The manufacturer says the bait effectively lures a variety of flies.

No poisons are used, but the results do produce a strong odor. When the trap is full, just toss it into a plastic bag and tie it off, and you are done. You also can buy bait refills.

Price at time of publish: $13 (two-pack)

Type: Plastic trap | Dimensions: 9.5 x 4.25 x 3.5 inches | Targeted Species: All flies | Power Cable Length: Not applicable

Best for Fruit Flies

FlyFix Fruit Fly Trap

 Amazon

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What We Like

• No electricity needed

• Easy to use

• Easy to hide

• Reusable

• Choice of 6 colors

What We Don’t Like

• Need to supply fruit bait

Attractive and effective, the FlyFix Fruit Trap looks good on your countertop while clearing your room of those tiny germ carriers. It comes in an array of rainbow colors that can blend into your home decor while it attracts fruit flies through a narrow funnel and into the FlyFix center.

To lure flying pests, the tiny, egg-shaped container uses a small piece of fruit of your choice and some water under its crystal-like top. Lock it in place and set it out to rid your rooms of flitting fruit flies. It can rest neatly in a bowl of fruit to grab fruit flies at their home base. Or place it neatly on a kitchen countertop, preferably near the kitchen sink. FlyFix comes in a two-pack, so you can spread them around the home to catch flies that have traveled beyond the kitchen.

Price at time of publish: $20

Type: Plastic trap | Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 3.5 inches | Targeted Species: Fruit flies | Power Cable Length: Not applicable

Best Reusable

Safer Brand Victor Fly Magnet Fly Trap

 Amazon

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What We Like

• No electricity needed

• Easy to use

• Easy to hide

What We Don’t Like

• Need to buy replacement bait

• Bait has a strong fermented odor

The Victor Fly Magnet is a tidy container that uses bait to lure flies under its tented lid and into the depths of its glass chamber. The flies drown in the jar, which can hold dozens of winged insects. The scent of this compact outdoor fly trap also repels stinging insects such as bees and wasps.

With its compact size, the Victor Fly Magnet Fly Trap is simple in its style, so it can tuck behind a plant on a table or sit on a porch under a chair to keep flies from ruining your outdoor experience. The bait squares are made of decayed food-grade products, and you need to cover them in water to activate the trap. Once the jar is full of flies, which should take at least a week for typical outdoor environments, just toss the contents and insert another bait square.

The bait has a strong fermented food smell, which might make it better suited away from outdoor dining areas.

Price at time of publish: $18

Type: Plastic trap | Dimensions: 5.97 x 5.95 x 13.09 inches | Targeted Species: All flies | Power Cable Length: Not applicable

Best Pest Control Services

Best for Indoors

Catchmaster Bug & Fly Clear Window Fly Traps

 Amazon

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What We Like

• No electricity needed

• Easy to use

• Hard to visually detect

• Disposable

What We Don’t Like

• May require scrubbing to remove sticky residue

Catchmaster Clear Window Traps are perfect for catching sunbathing flies at one of their entry points. They come in handy multiple packs and adhere to any glass surface. They work best in windows, which naturally attract flies of all species.

Flies just can’t resist the sticky substance. Once the clear rectangle of film is full of fruit and house flies, gently pull it away from the window and replace it with a fresh one. The glue left behind from the adhesive is easily removed with a swipe of rubbing alcohol. Since they are clear, guests are not likely to notice these, keeping your fly problem a secret.

Price at time of publish: $12

Type: Paper | Dimensions: 8 x 0.01 x 8.2 inches | Targeted Species: All flies, especially house | Power Cable Length: Not applicable

The Best Rat Traps for Your Money in 2023

Best for Outdoors

Flies Be Gone Fly Trap

 Amazon

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What We Like

• Large capacity

• 30-day effectiveness

• No insecticides

What We Don’t Like

• Results are visual turn-off

• Other similar items can cost less

If flies outdoors are giving you stress, the original Flies Be Gone Fly Trap is a convenient, inexpensive, and easy way to reduce their numbers quickly. Great for barns, houses with chickens, and more, this trap can house thousands of flies and doesn’t need to be changed for 30 days.

As with most traps on this list, it is pesticide-free (the manufacturer has created its own bait, which it describes as a “handmade fly food”) and can be tossed once it’s full. Just be sure to hang it out of reach of children and pets. You can purchase this trap as a two-pack, or in multiples of up to 50 on the manufacturer’s site.

Price at time of publish: $37

Type: Hanging | Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 6.6 inches | Targeted Species: Flies | Power Cable Length: Not applicable

The 8 Best Mosquito Traps of 2023

Best Zapper

ASPECTEK 20W Electric Indoor Bug Zapper

 Amazon

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The Aspectek 20W Electronic Indoor Insect Killer Is Loud But Effective

What We Like

• Easy setup

• Kills all flies, including mosquitoes

• Easy to clean

• Self-cleaning grids

What We Don’t Like

• Requires replacing UV light tubes

• Needs electricity

It’s rare to find a zapper meant for indoor use. The ASPECTEK is a highly rated model that uses UV lights to attract flying insects to the interior voltage grids. It also features a mesh screen that flies can fit through, but small hands or curious pets cannot, ensuring accidental shocks don’t occur.

Simple and aesthetic in design, this is a breeze to set up. You can hang it using the included chain-and-hook set, or simply set it on a hard, even surface. Upkeep is easy as well, with a removable plastic tray at the bottom that is dishwasher-safe. We appreciate the ease of use and the self-cleaning electric grid. The only downside is replacing the UV light tubes, but they are affordable at less than $11 for a two-pack.

Price at time of publish: $43

Type: Zapper, metal, electronic | Dimensions: 15.16 x 11.02 x 3 inches | Targeted Species: All flies, including mosquitoes | Power Cable Length: 4 feet