TRISH McALASTER /THE GLOBE AND MAIL

STANDING TRAP HANGING TRAP

FRUIT FLIESBottle traps can be used for these smaller flies by replacing the missing caps after poking a small hole in the top of each. Other fruit fly trap ideas:

Place a small amount of liquid bait in the bottom of a glass or jar. Cover the opening with plastic wrap and secure it with an elastic. Poke a few fruit fly-size holes in the plastic. They will enter but will not be able to crawl back out. An inverted cone of paper with a small hole at the tip can be used instead of the plastic wrap.

BAIT

BAIT

BAITGenerally, flies and wasps seem to be attracted to sweet liquids. Some examples:

• You can also deposit a chunk of fruit into the liquid.

Sometimes wasp and fly colonies require protein. You can add to or replace the sugary bait with:

• Fruit juice or pop

• Beer or wine

• Wet dog or cat food

Remember that there must be enough liquid surrounding the solid bait to drown the insects.

• Chunks of raw meat or canned tuna

TAPETAPE

TAPE

Cut the top off an empty plastic bottle. Place liquid bait (see below) in the bottom half. (Do not add too much. There should be plenty of air space left.) Remove the cap, invert the top half and set it into the bottom half. Tape to secure and ensure that there are no gaps or openings. Flies and wasps will enter through the bottle mouth, but will not be able to find their way back out and they will eventually drown.

The hanging trap requires two bottles. The same prinicple applies, but this time the insects fly up into the trap. Good for tree branches or the eaves of a house. Before assembly, punch two holes in the top bottle to insert a string to act as a hanger. Tape over any gaps. Remove the cap and insert the bottom bottle, taping to seal and secure. Remove the top cap to add bait, then replace it.

DIY fly/wasp traps