Which Bait Works Best for a Homemade Fly Trap?
| Areas of Science |
Zoology |
| Difficulty | |
| Time Required | Average (6-10 days) |
*Note:
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Abstract
Do you really catch more flies with honey than with vinegar? Do an experiment to find out! Watch the video above to learn how to make a simple homemade fly trap using a plastic bottle. Then, experiment to discover which bait attracts the most flies. You can try a variety of liquids, and you can also use solid bait like rotting food or meat, but you will need to add some water so the flies drown. A drop of soap can help break the surface tension of the water, making it easier for the flies to drown. However, it may also alter the smell of the food, so that is a variable you should consider.Note: Do not perform this project in a location where you risk catching beneficial insects like bees!
Figure 1. Four homemade fly traps with different liquids as bait.
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Credits
Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies
Cite This Page
General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.MLA Style
Finio, Ben.
"Which Bait Works Best for a Homemade Fly Trap?" Science Buddies,
20 Nov. 2020,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/zoo_p065/zoology/bait-homemade-fly-trap.
Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.
APA Style
Finio, B.
(2020, November 20).
Which Bait Works Best for a Homemade Fly Trap?
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/zoo_p065/zoology/bait-homemade-fly-trap
Last edit date: 2020-11-20
Experimental Procedure
For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.
Share your story with Science Buddies!
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Ask an Expert
The Ask an Expert Forum is intended to be a place where students can go to find answers to science questions that they have been unable to find using other resources. If you have specific questions about your science fair project or science fair, our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.Ask an Expert
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