If you're tired of pests constantly biting you when you're outside, a bug ball can do the trick. How do they work? Learn in this guide.

Flies only live an average of 21 days but can be a very annoying problem in their short life.

Although they are small, flies can ruin many outdoor activities. Many species bite and swarm, which makes it unbearable to be outside.

Many kinds of insect repellent have harsh chemicals that harm people and the earth. If you are looking for an insect trap that is easy and safe, look no further than the bug ball.

This guide covers everything you need to know about how this insect trap works and why you need one this summer.

Common Types of Flies

Flies are a common nuisance of the summer months, with almost every state having at least a few species. There are several types of flies that you'll see more often than others.

Horse Flies

A horse fly got its name because you can often find it swarming around horse stables. These blackish flies have dark wings and large green eyes. You can find these annoying flies almost anywhere, but they prefer warm, humid areas.

Most horse flies eat nectar, except for female horse flies who need a meal of blood before they reproduce.

Yellow Flies

These flies have a painful bite and usually come around for the season in late spring. They love shady, humid areas by creeks, rivers, and woods. You won't find these flies in open, sunny places.

Yellow flies is a name used for more than a dozen species of yellow-colored flies that bite. Most yellow flies are active during either dawn or dusk.

No exposed body part is safe from a yellow fly bite. They are persistent creatures and can cause painful welts if you get bitten by one.

Deer Flies

These outdoor insects are small with light brown bodies and transparent wings. They have distinctive large, colorful eyes.

Like horse flies, it's the female deer flies that consume blood. When female deer fly bites, they draw blood using sharp mouth blades.

A female deer fly likes to feed on a host that is moving. She will return to the host to bite again if her feeding gets interrupted.

You can find these flies in wooded areas or wetlands. They love marshes, streams, and ponds. You will find them most often in the summer months.

Greenhead Flies

You will know you have a greenhead fly on your hand by the large, dark green eyes on the head of this fly. Greenheads swarm in large numbers and bite in the daytime. You can find most greenheads in coastal areas like ocean marshes.

Like the other types of flies, female greenheads are the ones who do all the biting. After a female has a blood meal, they lay a large mass of eggs in the marsh.

Greenheads can be a significant damper on coastal outdoor activities. Although the bites don't transmit disease, they hurt!

How a Bug Ball Works

Invented in 2017, this insect trap helps catch pesky flies. A bug ball is a round, inflated ball made of PVC. You suspend the bug ball using a molded loop at the top of the ball.

Flies are naturally attracted to the swaying, black surface of the bug ball. The ball's heat and color read as a food source to flies. This combination causes flies to swarm the ball.

The sticky coating on the bug ball's surface traps the flies so they can't go anywhere.

Benefits of a Bug Ball

There are many benefits to using these types of insect traps. The bug ball is a chemical-free solution to your fly problem. It uses no DEET or harmful chemicals to trap the flies.

The bug ball also uses no electricity. You can hang your bug ball wherever your fly problem is.

You can feel good about using the bug ball in your home as it is safe for children and pets. The entire product is non-toxic and won't harm your loved ones.

The PVC ball can withstand all types of weather. It is also reusable.

If you have a healthy bird population in your area, don't worry! A bird is too heavy for the adhesive used on the bug ball.

How to Use a Bug Ball

You can set up your bug ball in a few easy steps. Once you get your package, open it up and ensure all the contents are there. A bug ball deluxe kit includes the following items:

• three bug balls made from heavy-duty PVC
• one ten-ounce can of Catch EM' spray
• three inflation needles
• three 12 foot long black polyethylene ropes
• three 2.25 S hooks

You will also need a tree or shepherd's hook to hang your bug ball on.

Using a hand pump or an air compressor, inflate the bug ball until it is firm. It should have about an 18-inch diameter. Attach the rope to the loop in your bug ball.

Using a tree or shepherd's hook, hang your bug ball 4-5 feet from the ground. Your bug ball should be in the sun but across from the shade.

Take the Catch EM' adhesive and spread it all over the ball. Make sure to cover the entire surface area of the bug ball.

Where to Hang Up Your Bug Ball

You can use your bug ball in many different locations that attract flies. Hang one in your barn or stable. If you garden, put one in your greenhouse or orchard.

You can also hang these insect traps in your yard. If you have a pool, hang one close to keep the flies away from the water.

A Ball Bug Can Make Your Outdoor Area More Enjoyable

If you live in an area prone to flies, you won't regret your bug ball purchase. You can use your bug ball all season long and enjoy your fly-free space.

Barndoor Ag has got you covered if you are looking to buy a bug ball for your barn or yard. Order your kit today and enjoy your bug-free yard.