Fly traps are an excellent tool for anyone wanting to eliminate pesky flies from their house, garden, or farm. However, knowing how to dispose of a fly trap and when is crucial to ensure they remain effective.
Don’t let it become a smelly nuisance; discover how to get rid of the trap in a way that suits you best!
Can You Reuse Disposable Fly Traps?
It depends on the fly trap. It’s always best to adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The nature of disposable equipment is that it should only be used once, or a small handful of times, before throwing it away. Their primary design isn’t to be reused repeatedly, so while reusing is better for your pocket and the environment, follow the advice.
When Should You Empty a Fly Trap?
Again, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, but generally speaking, you’ll want to dispose of your device if it’s:
- Been a few weeks since you set it
- Gotten full and is no longer trapping flies
- Getting too smelly
What Do I Do With the Dead Flies From a Fly Trap?
Dispose of the Fly Trap
Placing the trap in a plastic bag and then disposing of it in the bin rather than simply putting the disposable fly trap directly into the container is best. Depending on the type of bag you use, you’ll want to prepare for leaking. To avoid leaking and nasty smells, it’d be wise to place the trap into a zip-lock bag and then place that bag inside a general plastic shopping bag before throwing it in the bin.
Adding the extra layers of protection will help lower the likelihood of any unwanted spills or leaks; that’ll be especially appreciated if your bin won’t be emptied for another week.
While single-use plastic bags have decreased, single-use plastic bags and bags-for-life still contribute to the mass of plastic waste produced yearly. So alternatively, could you wait to take care of your fly trap until the day your weekly rubbish is collected?
That way, you won’t have to use any more plastic than necessary and can dispose of it with a clean, green conscience.
Compost
If you’re feeling extra green-thumbed, composting your contents would be the way forward. Not only is composting great for the environment because it allows for aerobic decomposition, but it also means that should your disposable fly trap still have some life in it, you don’t need to buy a new one. Instead, reuse it and save the landfill site an extra pest trap.
You'll trap insects like flies, wasps, and moths using devices like the Red Top Fly Trap or the Outdoor Fly Trap Bag. These dead insects are excellent materials for compositing, so if you can access a garden or farm, dig a hole in the soil where you wish to compost. Then, you could empty the contents and cover the hole with dirt.
Unlike disposing of the contents in a bin, the soil over the dead insects will help mask any putrid smells, much like a compost toilet.
How To Clean up a Fly Trap Spill
If you have a spillage, it’s best to see to the situation as quickly as possible; the longer you leave it, the worse it’ll get. However, there’s no need to panic - a quick clean will restore your surface.
- Remove any pets or children from the area to prevent contamination.
- Wear gloves to protect yourself while cleaning up the spillage.
- If the spillage is large, get a plastic bag and fill it with the contents of the spillage. Then, dispose of it.
- Get a bucket of warm water mixed with dish soap to remove any liquid.
- Use an enzyme-based remover before step 4 if the manufacturer’s instructions suggest you do. Alternatively, use a stain remover to eliminate the germs and smell.
- Keep pets and children away from the area until fully clean and dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are There Maggots in My Fly Trap?
It’s possible that when flies get trapped and are carrying eggs, they lay their eggs in the fly trap. The larvae, needing a food source, will feast on the decaying juices in the fly trap as they grow.
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