The Sagebrush Bucket-Mounted Fly Trap (Model S3) is a proven, heavy-duty, all-metal fly trap designed to reduce populations of houseflies and other filth-breeding flies in high-pressure environments. This trap can be an essential component of a comprehensive, multi-pronged fly management program that combines mechanical trapping, biological control with fly parasites, and proper waste and manure management. It is widely used around dairies, horse stables, feedlots, compost facilities, municipal and green waste sites, and landscaped areas such as golf courses where flies breed in manure, compost, or decaying organic material.

Model S3 is a cone-style trap measuring approximately 10 inches high by 12¾ inches in diameter and is designed to sit securely over a standard 12-inch (five-gallon) bucket. Flies are attracted to bait placed in the bucket—such as compost, manure, fish scraps, or commercial liquid attractants—and enter the trap through side openings to access the odor source. Once inside, flies instinctively move toward light and travel upward through the screened cone into the containment chamber, where they are unable to escape and eventually die. The trap is also highly effective for capturing yellow jackets when baited with meat scraps or bones.

Constructed entirely of metal for durability and long service life, the S3 features galvanized steel, aluminum screen, and a stainless-steel hose clamp, making it well suited for outdoor use in hot, dry climates. For horse facilities, excellent results are achieved by mixing approximately six ounces of Farnam® fly attractant with five gallons of water in a bucket, though filled disposable fly traps can also be placed inside the bucket to increase catch capacity. To extend bait longevity and prevent flies from breeding directly in the bait, a piece of screen may be placed over the bucket beneath the trap.

Proper placement is key to performance. Traps should be positioned where flies are active and where light enters the top of the trap, such as in open sun or near barn windows. In livestock areas, the bucket can be wired to a fence stake or enclosed in an open-top wooden box to prevent tipping or trampling. Maintenance is straightforward: the trap can be emptied by loosening the hose clamp, removing the cover, and brushing out dead flies, then reassembling the trap on a level surface for continued use.

When used correctly, the Sagebrush Bucket-Mounted Fly Trap provides reliable, low-maintenance fly suppression and significantly reduces fly pressure when combined with biological fly parasites and sound sanitation practices, offering a sustainable, non-chemical solution for long-term fly management.