Flytraps and Their Operation. 15 



A combination of overripe bananas with milk is much more attrac- 

 tive than either one used separately. A considerable number of blow- 

 flies as well as house flies are attracted to such baits. 



BAIT CONTAINERS. 



The size of the bait container in relation to the size of the trap 

 is a very important consideration. It has been found that a small 

 pan or deep pan of bait set in the center under a trap will catch 

 only a small fraction of the number of flies secured by using larger, 

 shallow containers. The best and most convenient pan for baits is 

 a shallow circular tin, such as the cover of a lard bucket. Under 

 range conditions it is advisable to use a more substantial bait pan 

 and preferably one H inches deep, so that a greater amount of bait 

 may be used, thus preventing complete drying out between visits to 

 the trap. Its diameter should be about 4 inches less than that of the 

 base of the trap, thus bringing the edge within 2 inches of the outside 

 edge of the trap. For liquid baits the catch can be increased slightly 

 by placing a piece of sponge or a few chips in the center of the bait 

 pan to provide additional surface upon which the flies may alight. 

 The same kind of pans for bait may be used under tent traps. Two 

 or more pans should be used, according to the length of the trap. 



CARE AND LOCATION OF TRAPS. 



In many cases flytrapping has been rendered ineffectual by the 

 fact that the traps were not properly cared for. In setting traps a 

 location should be chosen where flies naturally congregate. This is 

 usually on the sunny side of a building out of the wind. It is exceed- 

 ingly important that the bait containers be kept well filled. This 

 usualW requires attention every other day. The bait pane should 

 be washed out at rather frequent intervals. This gives a larger 

 catch and avoids the danger of flies breeding in the material used 

 for bait. Further, it should be borne in mind that traps can not 

 be operated successfully throughout the season without emptying 

 them. Where flies are abundant and the bait pans are properly 

 attended to the traps should be emptied at Aveekly intervals. Where 

 flies become piled high against the side of the cone the catching 

 power of the trap is considerably reduced. The destruction of the 

 flies is best accomplished by immersing the trap in hot water or, 

 still better, where a tight barrel is at hand place a few live coals in a 

 pan on the ground, scatter two tablespoonfuls of sulphur over them, 

 place the trap over the coals, and turn the barrel over the trap. 

 All of the flies Avill be rendered motionless in about five minutes. 

 They may then be killed by using hot water, throwing them into 

 a fire, or burying them. In the operation of flytraps in controlling 

 the screw- worm it has not been found necessary, especially during 

 hot weather, to kill the flies, as they die very rapidly within the traps. 

 In order to empty a trap it may be inverted and the dead flies shaken 

 down. As the living flies will naturally go upward, the door may 



