Maybe you can't have a pet, or maybe you just love studying bugs.A fly can be fun to keep as a pet.You can trap a fly and keep it in a small container.Your fly should be happy if you give it food or water.
Step 1: A jar or container is needed for your fly.
A jar, a food storage container, or a small cardboard box can be used to house your fly.A clear container makes it easier to see your fly.You will need to drill or poke small holes in the container.They should be large enough to allow air in but not so large that they let the fly out.The container needs to be dry.Cut a larger hole for air and then cover it with tissue paper, which will allow air to pass through without letting the fly out.
Step 2: You can make a hole in the container to fit a small item.
Feed your fly through the hole so it doesn't get out.Make a big hole in the straw or syringe by drawing around it.When you're done, tape over the hole.Plug it up with a small object.
Step 3: The bottle caps should be placed at the bottom of the food and water container.
You can use a variety of caps.You just need something to hold the food and water that you put in the container for your container, and lids are a good size.
Step 4: You can put dried leaves or twigs in a resting place for your fly.
The flies like to rest.They usually rest on grass leaves, wires, twigs, and whatever else they can find.Lean a few dry grass leaves across the inside of your jar.
Step 5: A fly.
Wait for a fly to land on the counter or a flat surface and then use an upside-down cup to trap it.You need to catch one quickly.You can put a piece of paper under the cup to carry it to the container.Pull the paper out of the container if you want to match the cup's mouth.The fly should land in the container.Put the lid on to catch the fly.
Step 6: The container should be placed in a warm area.
When they're resting, flies prefer temperatures of 95 to 105 F.The area should be warm but not too hot.It is possible to provide a heating pad or dark heat lamp to help keep your fly warm.While flies prefer warmer temperatures, they will do just fine in cooler temperatures.Most activity will stop at 59 F.
Step 7: Feed your flies high in sugar.
The flies love sugar and liquids and can make food liquid to drink.There are bits of fruit, syrup, and even straight sugar that you can try.If the food starts to go bad, flies will eat it, and it won't be a problem.You won't need to feed your fly much more than a pea-sized amount of food each day, but you should make sure it has food in its container at all times, as it will want to eat 3-4 times a day.
Step 8: The food can be put in the container using a small needle or straw.
You can put food in a bottle cap with a small needle.Put the hole you made for the needle over the bottle cap.Take the food out of the bottle cap and cover the hole.If you don't have a needle, use a straw to move food into the cap.
Step 9: Water is provided every day.
A bottle cap is a good way to provide water.Fly will not survive without water, so keep it filled with fresh water all the time.Fly can drown in deeper water if a thin layer of water is added to the bottle cap.The water should be placed in the bottle cap with a clean straw.
Step 10: It's best to rest at night.
Humans and flies like to rest at night.They usually go up to the ceiling beams in homes to rest, while outside they may find wires or grasses.If you disturb your fly at night it will get the rest it needs.The fly may rest on the bottom of the container's ceiling.
Step 11: If you're housing more than one fly, look for eggs.
Female flies can lay eggs up to 5 times in their lifetimes so you can capture a pregnant female or end up with one if you are housing multiple flies.If you see clusters of white dots, they are the eggs.A female can lay up to 100 eggs at a time.If you see eggs, you might want to take them outside.You could have a lot of flies on your hands.
Step 12: You need to wash your hands.
When you're done handling the container, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.Before rinsing, scrub for 20 seconds.
Step 13: Don't expect your fly to live longer than 2 months.
Your fly can live longer if it lasts 2 weeks.A fly's lifespan isn't very long, so be prepared for it to take leave sooner than you'd like.You don't have to keep your fly all the time.You can release it whenever you please.