Inside an electric fly trap.

A look at an interesting motorised fly trap, accompanied by the sound of yet another Irish-Sea storm raging in the background. This thing is actually powered by a USB power supply and draws very little current. The most impressive part of the design is the precision of the plastic moulding that allows close fitting fins to comb past each other while it rotates.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of KZbin's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

[@KarlBunker]

I like that this trap doesn't kill the flies. It just gently corrals them into that basement room where they can think about their life choices and the error of their ways.

[@SigEpBlue]

Not so much a fly _trap_ as a fly reeducation center. :)

[@MrNoFaceGuy]

Andy Merrett or an acid pool if they were bond villains

[@Agent24Electronics]

Maybe you're supposed to fill the lower part with water?

[@VictorGarciaR]

Andy Merrett 1) without food flyes die very fast, as they do not have fat or any other food reserves. 2) insects "breath" using a weird sistem of holes on their sides, the holes connetc to tubes that are like a miniature tree, bringing oxigen to every single cell, and taking out the CO2. Due to this, insects cant really swim that well, as a lot of them cant close the breathing holes and they drown.

[@25566]

at the end of the day you take the whole thing and submerge it in a bucket of water, slowly drowing those little fuckers

[@tncorgi92]

Gives new meaning to the term "flywheel."

[@twocvbloke]

Badum-tish!! :P

[@thra5herxb12s]

DOH !!!

[@alancordwell9759]

Paul Drake lol!

[@candisbrendel7396]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/monQmJKZgZuiZ8U

[@ShesSometimesDoubleChocolate.]

Oh, yeah, HAHAHAHA, good one! I definitely wish I had thought of it!

[@toddpeterson5904]

Really curious to know if it is effective in catching insects. Also, needs to be hacked with a voice that says "Move along" as it rotates and ushers them to the center

[@tncorgi92]

Or a Dalek voice: EXTERMINATE, EXTERMINATE!

[@ann_onn]

The white zone is for unloading only.There is no no stopping in the red zone. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rafHf3Z6i9KFhtE

[@Bob3519]

Thanks guys I needed a laugh 😂!

[@SilverMosico]

I actually saw a video of one of these in action before Clive took it apart! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHPWo4qKd5mAns0

[@ann_onn]

@Cody H. Hey,thanks for sharing that, it's great to see it in action; interesting choice of music too; this would do well on Reddit's "mildly interesting' (which CaptainSparklez requests... I don't wish to spam, but I do enjoy his visits to reddit... hell, at >10m subs, enough to buy himself a Ford GT, I think Jardon isn't desperate for views)

[@locouk]

Cats, I have 2. The life expectancy of a fly that dares enter my window is minutes.

[@johndaltrocanto]

Wonderful animals, too bad I’m violently allergic to them

[@richardnichols2064]

Cat, i have one and she could care less about the flies so rather useless in the fly extermination department.

[@djmorgan5708]

I thought the black bit would be blanking out the death scene if you decided to peer in lol

[@juststeve5542]

For a second there (when you commented on it slowing down) I thought the dark patch in the middle was to shield your eyes from some kind of diabolical fly squishing mechanism! Guess I'll just have to stick a few spiders in the bottom.

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

Steve Evans If you have spiders, you don't need the machine, the spiders build their own.

[@vink6163]

As an Australian I can assure you that it doesn't matter how many spiders you have, they will never get anywhere close to all the flies...

[@wimwiddershins]

During summer, here in Australia that thing would be full in 5 minutes. :)

[@benbaselet2026]

Perhaps you could make super-eco-friendly protein meatballs out of the catch.

[@floxy709]

noo D: ..no offense to you and ur fellow aussies, i love ur country... but fuck australia

[@floxy709]

noo D: ..no offense to you and ur fellow aussies, i love ur country... but fuck australia

[@ann_onn]

It's Oz, so one would fill it.

[@phils4634]

More fun to use Rodalco2009's HV "bulk" wasp killer. That thing seems VERY effective indeed.

[@DiodeGoneWild]

Nice fly mincer :). It looks like it will mill the insect rather than force it to the centre.

[@jayjayquest4958]

Nope. I really seems to work. Check this vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHPWo4qKd5mAns0

[@LazerLord10]

"It's a USB powered.." *SAY NO MORE! SOLD* Because I really need to use up the rest of my unoccupied USB ports.

[@rogueanuerz]

well this is cursed

[@incandescentwithrage]

Imagine trying to explain to someone that the bag contains fly bait

[@Akira42]

It's fly bait, honest officer, it came with a cheap flytrap from China....

[@allothernamesbutthis]

Fly Bait - Not fit for human consumption? :D

[@CTCTraining1]

I’ve remembered flies can’t see movement if it is slow enough so this might be more effective than I thought initially ... only slightly disappointed it didn’t have any 20kV parts.

[@phils4634]

- yet . . . . .! (awaiting BC's inclusion of one of these - images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61ubwJfKFJL._SY355_.jpg). This type is (slightly) more costly, but FAR more durable - www.icstation.com/images/big/products/11161_5859.jpg

[@channelsixtysix066]

You can have our flies, Clive. We have more than enough in Adelaide when it's summer. I use a fly trap that looks like a funnel with a lid and that fits into a cannister. You set it up with a bait that smells like rotting flesh one you mix it with water, and it fill up with flies. After a while, you hold your breath, empty the fly liquor out on a pot plant for fertiliser, then repeat.

[@dapackad]

Oh i had a more medieval idea of how this thing would work! I thought the insects where going to get squashed between the fins...

[@andygozzo72]

some probably will... 😜

[@LongPeter]

At first glance I assumed that the combs were there to destroy the flies, gay Dalek style.

[@ann_onn]

" gay Dalek style" should totes be a thing

[@Peter_S_]

EX TER MIN AAAAAATE! EX TER MIN AAAAAATE!

[@rich1051414]

Like a really slow fly shredder. That trap would get really disgusting really fast, but it would keep attracting more and more flies though :)

[@PixelOverload]

I'm still trying to figure out how it _avoids_ doing that, i'd imagine at least a few should end up getting stuck in the combs.

[@steviebboy69]

I thought the same thing, they would get squashed in the combs. Gee here we get lots of flies, especially blowies. Well aussieland has lots of those heheh, at least those things don't sting or bite like other critters here.

[@Robonza]

I think the resistor is to reduce brush commutation noise getting back into the USB e.g. a computer. You can stick a capacitor there but the inrush current can kill a computers USB port.

[@davelunaskitchen8355]

It works really well surprisingly! My only complaint is the flys get clogged in the little funnel part.

[@eaburtolemiliox]

"if you go on KZbin... well, you're on KZbin already" 😂😂

[@_BangDroid_]

I had a little chuckle lol

[@thehappylittlefoxakabenji8154]

omg I'm on KZbin some are never off it

[@1dolar1note1]

Just two days ago I've got a demonstration of this trap in my youtube recommendations and now I see you covering it here. How odd, but still nice.

[@noboilfrog9431]

Interesting video, I'm surprised given the variety of USB powered devices now that don't need data control, nobody seems to have brought out an in-line USB timer so you can use USB power banks for set time periods or use other in-line control devices (LDR/temperature/IR movement detector etc.)? Perhaps a new project build for you Clive?

[@FrancisR420]

Inid O'fty what are you talking about I found a couple of USB in line timers through some cursory Googling you could get them on Amazon you could probably get those other things too

[@noboilfrog9431]

Hi Maui, I don't seem to find any(Google or Amazon), lots of USB powered devices with timers but none that are USB powered and programmable that turn off any USB devices plugged into them, could you provide links to examples please?

[@marknikolich6986]

Hey , just FYI , take apart a CD or DVD drive, that's a gear motor for the tray, ones in cd drives can be sensitive to voltage & amperage for speed control, IE needs resistors or chips usually to adjust the speed. plus yeah it does help keep the USB on for a battery pack, if I don't use something sometimes to slow it a little it would be too fast. Also, I salvage them motors to fix USB fan assemblies...lmao... it's funny how they're using one similar to it for that.... Been watching all your videos, been helping me learn a few things I didn't know, so thanks so much for deciding to try out KZbin!!!! Keep up the great videos!!!

[@lrastus6692]

Neat idea ... It reminds me of the wind up/spring motor mouse traps that used a triggered paddle wheel to force a mouse into a "holding chamber" . Some of the traps could hold 20 mice . Sometimes it got a little ... ahem ... messy . I seen them used mostly in graineries .

[@jimschofield8734]

Resistor... Warmth? Flies are a little bit attracted by warmth... And gently warming the food would spread the scent of it? Or... Overcurrent protection for if the motor/rotating unit gets clogged by food or flies? And it's resistance goes above the resistor's value and then stops? Also... I was thinking initially that it trapped the flies and then crushed them between the fins :D

[@rich1051414]

The resistor would act inversely of what you are thinking. The more resistance across the motor, the more the voltage drops from the second resistor. Theoretically it could be speed controlling the motor, but that is stupid, this doesn't need speed control, nor would that single resistor + the resistance of the motor be enough to significantly change the motors speed. It would slow it down though, but probably imperceivably.

[@jimschofield8734]

Thanks. It was basically stream-of-consciousness typing. And, though this will come as a shock to KZbin, I'm no expert :D Still kind of bummed that it doesn't slowly mush the flies in a kind of James Bond villain crushy room though.

[@MazeFrame]

I assume the motor is everyones favourite RF-300. It takes very little current in idle but still puts out quite some torque when required.

[@GarrKhan]

Why was this video about a fly trap so charming?

[@tyronenelson9124]

The resistor mainly triggers the current detection of a powerbank and a phone charger so wakes the powerbank up when the flytrap is first plugged in, its not just to keep the powerbank awake.

[@ChefSalad]

I've been thinking about fly traps lately, and this one seems interesting. My cats recently started shitting behind my toilet, causing my house to be inundated with flies (several hundred, at least). I've been sucking them up with my vacuum. I've gotten pretty good at it. I think I'll try one of these to get the last few stragglers.

[@Culturedropout]

Just bait it with a bit of one of those "century eggs" from the last video... *blargh*

[@bgregg55]

My house flies are way too smart for that. Maybe if I got them drunk first.

[@glenngoodale1709]

Love your videos keep up the good work

[@ralfvandeven5162]

I think the resistor is used as a simple heating element to keep the enclosure around the motor slightly above ambient to prevent condensation.

[@uK8cvPAq]

Don't think 125mW is going to heat much up.

[@Nono-hk3is]

It's a trap!

[@tom_something]

Yeah, I think your theory about keeping the USB power supply awake is a good one. Except depending on the power bank, it might not be sufficient.

[@raymondmucklow3793]

I'll send you some of the horse fly's from kansas. To test.

[@SianaGearz]

A machine to catch Pegasuses would be fine indeed. But i imagine it would have to be a bit bigger than that.

[@TheJttv]

I just saw this on Reddit yesterday... life is weird sometimes.

[@a178design]

Jttv must be trending, saw it on fb yesterday, clive obviously knows how to catch a wave!

[@wtfhaveidone6589]

I saw it somewhere. I looked it up on Amazon and found a seller including a troll doll with it and proclaiming that they were the original. I'm tempted to get one to see if it will grab the four or five annoying flies I get in my house a year. I shall wait on Clive's research, first.

[@theotherwalt]

Yesterday after watching Clive's video, a demonstration video of this product popped up in my recommended list.

[@DanielRenardAnimation]

YT recommended me a video out of the blue just the other day, so definitely a trending item atm.

[@plainlake]

Cookies is a thing too.

[@zflamingflamingoe]

The resistor was probably put in parallel to draw some of the power to slow down the motor, otherwise the motor would be spinning super fast

[@blueskyla7978]

anthrocene I was thinking that too. But really it is there to pull in just enough extra current to keep power banks on. Otherwise the bank would think it had nothing plugged in and turn off.

[@JUANKERR2000]

A new cuss from Clive at 5:17 "eugh, flux".

[@robertsteich7362]

I bought one because of this video introduced me to it. Had it for 5 to 7 days and now the motor is done. Or something else isn’t working. Already tested a different USB power supply. Don’t have time right now to take it apart, other than to type this message. Oh, and in that one week time. Only one fly was caught. I didn’t have too many to begin with anyways.

[@bigclivedotcom]

Did the rotating part stall?

[@CaptmagiKono]

I think that handing fly-tape works pretty well, pretty unpleasant to change, but much simpler.

[@RFC3514]

Poor marketing. They should have gone with a 3-position power switch: off, on (motor only) and "smart USB compatibility super-mode" (motor plus resistor). Then add a note about how their advanced triple-mode design increases compatibility with USB power sources while giving users the option to save up to 60% power.

[@ShesSometimesDoubleChocolate.]

Hahaha, Clive, "I really need flies now!" That's probably the funniest thing I've ever heard you say!

[@saladamista8226]

Amazing idea!

[@GodPhazer]

The resistor is used to protect the USB port. A motor turn with voltage, but creates voltage if you turn it.

[@maverick2377]

A true dedicated youtuber would of taken a shit outside their house, place this trap next to the pile, and let the camera roll.

[@zaneclark5226]

At first I thought it just grinded the flies into a fly milkshake

[@XOIIOXOIIO]

Seems every time I binge your videos you have a fancy new usb tester.

[@Wagoo]

Best of all, once you've caught a decent amount you'll make able to cook up a batch of garibaldi biscuits!! Big Clive can you review Mr Heli on your "Mentski" channel? Cheers

[@orange11squares]

you can feed the chickens if you have any. they love to eat flies

[@Wagoo]

At least we know flies taste better than spiders.. based on the faces cats make when eating both

[@attitudeadjuster793]

I wonder if you could make flie baiting powder from dried flies...

[@avejst]

Thanks for sharing :-)

[@blxtothis]

There are examples of this coralling flies on KZbin, useful if you have a flea circus and need recruits without paying equity rates! Another darn fine video from the Maestro.

[@SPOONman4000]

resistor in parallel with the motor to keep power banks awake makes sense, though before I reached that point in the video where you mentioned it I thought maybe it was there to suppress inductive spikes when the unit was turned off

[@jennypockets]

I bought one. It trapped two flies in 24 hours and they had escaped by the next morning. A lot of money for something that doesn't work.

[@kaylajade9478]

My step mum HATES flies when they get in the house, my Dad is great at catching them but I’m thinking maybe I should get them one of these for Christmas. 😆

[@phils4634]

Obviously from the video. "there are no flies on Big Clive!" If you want to see this in (heavy) action - Aussie sheep station in mid summer. Flies (and BIG 'uns at that) by the kilogramme!

[@atzefatze]

First look for me was like 'nice fly shredder' and i really hoped you testing the taste of that powder ^^

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

Atze Fatze Warning, it might actually be slow acting poison to make the flies weak during the nudging and dead in the container. No way of knowing the effect on humans. Hey considering other fly memes it might also be literal poop!

[@atzefatze]

Oow okay, I didnt knew this.

[@whitehoose]

We are plagued by swarms of "thunder bugs" (tiny fruit flies?). I got one of the classic, and extremely effective "chip shop" style ghostly glowing UV CFL mounted behind a high voltage mesh. They fly too close, it vaporizes their heads - simple. Catches the body in a tray - I Empty it weekly and must have accounted for tons of them.

[@peterzingler6221]

And what kills them ? Thats like opening a crime scene if they stay alive

[@Akira42]

Time. Time takes us all

[@lrastus6692]

If you think that's bad ... read my reply .

[@Chuckiele]

starvation.

[@DielectricVideos]

I was under the impression you would take the flies outside and release them

[@loganrogers9157]

This could easily be 3d printed I imagine. You'd just need quite a bit of experience with CAD and a fairly precise printer

[@KJ6EAD]

Field test needed. Placement in a local pig farm with a livestreamed web camera would be appropriately sciency.

[@spencers4121]

Good idea if you wanted to stay away from glue or chemicals. I used one of the liquid traps one year, you have to keep it a good distance away would give off a terrible stink. Had a small bird get stuck in the glue strips also.

[@julieholt3374]

the resistor varies in value depending on the parameters of the motor. the makers use various motors they source depending on price and availability. the resistor allows a cheap quick method to allow for any differences.

[@dilan680]

Great video thank you

[@mayesip]

"You spin me right round, baby Right round like a record, baby"

[@memebrainyboi8767]

I'd was hoping that you'll test it. I actually came from a video demonstrating how it works with live flies. Of course, it takes place in a very controlled environment & obviously uploaded from a company selling such devices. So I was really looking for a third party to replicate the results.

[@RnRnR]

We hardly have flies in my country but I still want this xD

[@easyflamer]

Funny to use the word "ushering" when it comes to trapping flies lol

[@mewt5358]

What a neat little device

[@transclam]

What about adding some UV LED's to attract the flies?

[@CyberlightFG]

This thing needs more power. I would add some UV and a high voltage cascade to kill them immediately instead of dieing from hunger.

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

Ian Halliwell I wonder if there was supposed to be a small UV led in serious with the resistor, making the hole more attractive. Bonus points for choosing an UV color that is blocked by the "clear" plastic.

[@simonhopkins3867]

You need stunt fly's and a disclaimer.

[@tsiivi]

No flies were harmed in the making of this film.

[@TrollFaceTheMan]

I think your theory about the resistor being used to prevent sleeping from USB power banks is very likely.

[@fanplant]

Don't show flies getting hurt or you will be demonized like that mouse trap Monday guy shawn woods.

[@TheRevWillNotBeTelevised]

Why would you want to see mice getting killed? Serial killer in the making?

[@Akira42]

It's interesting to see the different methods and approaches of different mousetraps. It's not about seeing the mice killed.

[@TheRevWillNotBeTelevised]

The guy posts two videos a week of lethal mousetraps. KZbin is an entertainment website, if you class that as entertainment you are a little odd to say the least. Killing mice is a last resort to control infestations not a televised blood sport. Do you also want vets to start 'Let's put down your Dog' channel? Might be interesting too?! They could invent new and imaginative ways to do it!

[@Akira42]

k

[@RFC3514]

> if you class that as entertainment you are a little odd to say the least. Whereas people who watch fly traps and piezoelectric pumps being taken apart as entertainmente are _completely_ normal.

[@ZerqTM]

you could possibly use a bulion cube for bait... just scrape some of and put in the trap

[@AshenTiger]

My first thought was that the combing crushed the flies, and I thought that was mental as fuck 😂

[@cogidubnus1953]

fascinating device...really needs a container of venus fly traps down below to be fully effective!

[@mortlet5180]

It's a long shot, but maybe the resistor is a simple resistive snubber that they included for some odd reason? Perhaps the inductance of the motor caused the outputs of some cheap powerbanks/chargers to start oscillating due to the underdamped LC circuit being formed with the output smoothing capacitor?

[@ann_onn]

I think you're overthinking things? Maybe?

[@harryjnr2335]

ann onn I think you are right 😁

[@rich1051414]

Absolutely not. If anything, it is simply slightly dropping the voltage on the motor... but that's about it. Basically, functioning as a voltage divider with the motor itself working as the second resistor. Since there is no reason for the speed to be precise on the motor, that would not be the reason. Honestly, the only thing that makes sense would be to increase the power usage, and the only reason for that would be to keep powerbanks awake. I can think of no other logical reason for it.

[@maxprophet2401]

So if someone were to overspin it by hand, like we do, w/o the resistor... what would the usb power supply think of that?

[@rich1051414]

It's not in series with the motor. Spinning it by hand, the resistor has nearly no effect, essentially being bypassed.

[@Count_Smackula]

Over-ripe bananas make excellent bait. A dab of the mush draws the flies.

[@booblla]

The reason for the black plastic is that house flys are phototrophic, so they will head towards the light coming from the hole in the bottom.

[@nipunagunarathne4882]

If you could find some practical bait for mosquitoes this would be revolutionary

[@nickdesert7304]

I like how this bug trap works it's very interesting

[@justmeandjack]

I just ordered one of these for bugs other than flies. I think our flies in Australia would kick the crap out of this thing lol

[@UkSkin]

I was only looking at buying the Mains version of that yesterday and wondered what you'd make of it in regards of safety!

[@simontay4851]

Just replace the DC motor with a 240V synchronous motor (as used in microwaves for the turntable)

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

Simon Tay More like the weaker motor used in mechanical electrical clocks.

[@dickcheney6]

If it plugged into mains I'd put a fly zapper grid in the bottom part. With an interlock on the lid, of course. :)

[@alexanderwingeskog758]

Have had 3-4 flies in my bedroom lately and it's disturbing as hell... Had a fly/mosquito light/stinger thingy that I have used outside... and I put it besides my bed... They never bothered with it and I bet I had 5 flies when I woke up... I need to try this one out! And no, I don't live in Africa... I'm in Sweden believe it or not...

[@nico8273]

Alexander Wingeskog Oh wow flies in a first world country

[@alexanderwingeskog758]

I know, but still... born probably in cow dung. It's not an actual problem for me except when I try to sleep. We don't usually sleep inside mosquito nets in Sweden. But sure I get it... But I bet even the richest man alive also complains sometimes over something... I just can't sleep with 4 flies buzzing and landing on my head every other second...

[@johnpossum556]

Use the sticky traps that come in a tube and extend out to become a tape. Those have always worked for me and they're low tech.

[@alexanderwingeskog758]

John Possum, Thanks! I have tried them in another country I was visiting and as I remember now it did work! Thanks again, cheap solution!

[@Avantime]

You should go to Alaska in the summer. Giant flies and mosquitoes everywhere.

[@DatBlueHusky]

leave it outside for few days

[@bledlbledlbledl]

I have several very effective fly traps that are powered by flies

[@bledlbledlbledl]

@Andy LOL it's actually spiders.

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Could the resistor be providing some sort of anti interference suppression from the motor ? It is usually capacitors I believe that perform that function.

[@crackedemerald4930]

"here are the flies eating the Föd"

[@Spector_NS5_RD]

I would assume the flies, if any, would just get caught between the plastic fins, effectively grinding them up, lol. Like an Indiana Jones style death trap for insects!

[@skavossis5377]

I think this is the first time i've heard the word "Bung" used in a sentence not preceded by the word hole, damn you Beavis and Butthead. This device seems really useful to someone who needs live flies to feed to something else.

[@SuperAWaC]

when i first saw the title my initial thought was "dead flies?" creative design, though. wonder how well it would work with apple cider vinegar and fruit flies, although i wager a shallow dish with some and a drop of dish soap would work just as well

[@alexmarshall4331]

I can feel a creative erg coming on...yes yes YES Damien Hurst meets Big Clive...a blue bottle spectacular..stay tuned..do mot adjust your set 🐻✌

[@RoboVacParty]

Cool! 👍

[@michaelchristian8785]

This is actually a pretty neat product IF it works.

[@farmdve]

I need that device!!

[@RWBHere]

Is the resister a half attempt at dissipating some of the back EMF from the motor? There is no other protection for the USB port. Thanks Clive.

[@ZZZ-js5oi]

I often find my flies to look a little more menacing than those colourful and shiny plastic balls. If those balls were the flies I had, I wouldn't bother killing them. They seem harmless enough.

[@Venomator.]

Venus Flytraps are probably more effective at doing the job, and they look prettier too... 🤔 But an interesting contraption nonetheless, thanks for that Clive... 👍🏻 🐍

[@davidfarmer2049]

I only saw it just now. In fairness it looks quite good.

[@yeti1989]

Works great in our ice cream parlour since brokering peace with telepathic spiders.

[@mandolinic]

The resistor is there to keep the flies warm at night. We don't want the little darlings freezing their wings off, do we?

[@leethompson6070]

You showed an imperfection in the motion. Maybe it's a safety device in the instance of that 'loading' @ that point ?

[@lawdelpus]

No flies on Clive