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DRUMCARROW.CO.UK |
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HOW THE TRAP WORKS
Flies respond to scents within quite a narrow range.
Many species of flies require a source of protein before laying their eggs and are attracted by methane given off by decaying flesh, or the smell of sweet food such as pollen, nectar or sugar.
The bait in the trap is covered with just the right amount of water to prevent flies laying their eggs, maggots hatching and consuming it and also to stop the bait from drying out and losing its scent.
If maggots hatch they give off ammonia which in turn gives the signal to other flies not to enter. Maggots can be killed by adding some boiling water.
In moderate rainfall areas the rain falling on a recessed lid of a 10 litre paint pail will top the water up without attention.
When using a container with a recessed lid in moderate or high rainfall areas only cut out 50% of the lid and place it at an angle so that the rain water ponds and excess water runs over the edge.
Baits last about 10 days, but by that time the trap should be well filled with dead flies which then become bait for more flies.