How to Trap Horse Flies

How to Trap Horse Flies
Written By
Mary Ylisela
Mary Ylisela
Published: Jul 2, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • 2 liter soda bottle
  • Box cutter knife
  • Screwdriver
  • Twine
  • Bowl
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • Spoon

The best defense against horse flies is to kill them with attractive bait traps. An effective horse fly trap prevents females from laying eggs and biting, ultimately reducing the horse fly population and protecting you and your animals from harmful bites.

  1. Remove the cap off a 2-liter soda bottle and throw it away. Cut the plastic bottle approximately four inches below the neck of the bottle. Use box cutters to carefully cut the bottle.

  2. Turn the upper portion of the bottle upside down so the mouth of the bottle is pointing down. Insert the upper portion into the lower portion so it forms a sort of funnel into the rest of the bottle.

  3. Pierce four holes through the top of the horse fly trap about one inch below the top. Space the holes evenly apart to go around the entire top.

  4. Twine makes a secure hanging device for your fly trap.
  5. Thread a length of about two feet of twine through each hole. Knot the twine near the hole to secure both portions of the bottle together. Bring the four ends together above the center of the bottle and secure them with a knot. This knot also serves as the hanger for your horse fly trap.

  6. The sweetness of sugar attracts flies to the trap.
  7. Pour two cups of water into a bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup of white sugar and 1/2 cup of white vinegar until the sugar is dissolved. Add the vinegar and sugar horse fly bait to the trap. Hang the trap in your barn or other area where horse flies are prevalent.

Photo Credits

Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images

Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images

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Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

Mary Ylisela

Mary Ylisela is a former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and mathematics. She has been a writer since 1996, specializing in business, fitness and education. Prior to teaching, Ylisela worked as a certified fitness…

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