You can spray your horse three times a day and they’ll still be miserable if your barn is swarming with flies. Fly traps attack the problem at the source — reducing the overall population so there are fewer flies to deal with in the first place.
Here’s the thing: not all fly traps work equally well, and some are straight-up disgusting to deal with. Let me save you some trial and error.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| RESCUE! TrapStik (4pk) | Indoor/barn aisle | Sticky | ~$15 |
| RESCUE! Outdoor Fly Trap (8pk) | Outdoors/paddocks | Bait trap | ~$25 |
| Starbar Fly Terminator Pro | High-volume areas | Bait trap | ~$30 |
How Fly Traps Actually Work
There are two main types of fly traps, and they serve different purposes:
Sticky traps: Flies land on them and can’t get off. Best for indoor use — barn aisles, tack rooms, feed rooms.
Bait traps: Use attractants (usually something that smells terrible to humans) to lure flies into a container where they can’t escape. Best for outdoor use because, well, the smell.
The most effective approach is using both: bait traps outside to reduce the population coming into the barn, and sticky traps inside to catch whatever makes it through.
Best Indoor Fly Trap: RESCUE! TrapStik
Why it works:
- No smell — unlike bait traps, these are purely visual attractants
- Hang them in the barn aisle, tack room, or anywhere flies congregate
- VisiLure technology attracts flies with color patterns
- No poisons or sprays around your horses
The reality: You’ll be shocked (and slightly grossed out) by how many flies these catch. Replace them when they’re covered — usually every few weeks during peak fly season.
Price: ~$15 for a 4-pack
Best Outdoor Fly Trap: RESCUE! Outdoor Disposable Fly Trap
Why it works:
- Catches thousands of flies per trap
- Attractant activates with water — just add and hang
- Disposable, so you never have to touch the grossness inside
Fair warning: These smell terrible. That’s the point — they’re designed to attract flies, not humans. Hang them at least 20 feet from where you actually spend time. Near the manure pile is perfect.
Price: ~$25 for an 8-pack
For Serious Fly Problems: Starbar Fly Terminator Pro
If you’re dealing with a major fly infestation or have a larger property, step up to a reusable trap with a larger capacity.
Why it works:
- Holds way more flies than disposable traps
- Refillable attractant
- More cost-effective over the long run
Price: ~$30 for the trap, plus refills
Where to Place Fly Traps
Strategic placement makes a huge difference:
Indoor sticky traps:
- Barn aisle (high traffic areas for flies, not horses)
- Near doorways and windows where flies enter
- Tack room and feed room
Outdoor bait traps:
- Near manure pile (fly breeding ground #1)
- Downwind from the barn — flies will hit the trap before reaching your horses
- Near any standing water or wet areas
- At least 20 feet from where people and horses spend time
What Doesn’t Work
Save your money on these:
- Bug zappers: Kill the wrong insects (like beneficial ones) and don’t target flies effectively
- Ultrasonic repellers: Zero scientific evidence they work on flies
- Cheap generic traps: Usually have weak attractants that don’t actually lure flies
The Complete Fly Control System
Fly traps work best as part of a larger strategy:
- Fly traps — reduce the overall population
- Fly spray — protect your horse directly (see my favorites)
- Fly mask — protect face and eyes (my recommendations)
- Fly leg wraps — stop the stomping (do they work?)
- Manure management — remove breeding grounds
No single solution handles flies alone. But traps are the foundation because they reduce how many flies you’re fighting in the first place.
The Bottom Line
Fly traps are a cheap, low-effort way to seriously improve your barn’s fly situation. A $15 pack of sticky traps and a $25 pack of outdoor traps will last most of the season and save you money on fly spray.
My setup: TrapStiks in the barn aisle and tack room, RESCUE outdoor traps near the manure area and paddock edges. Simple, effective, and I spend way less time swatting flies.
Quick links:
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’d actually use in my own barn.
