The trap still will work in shady areas, but we've found most flies are fond of areas in full or partial sunlight, and the bait seems to be more effective in these areas, as well. Traps I've used with any liquid baits are messy, smelly, and have proven to be a problem when used within the same area as my pets. This is one of the reasons we came up with the Rid-Max Fly Trap. First off, the Rid-Max does NOT use liquid bait in which the captured insects drown. The Rid-Max Fly Trap is a dry trap.
Insects dehydrate and dry out within a day, leaving only dessicated insects trapped inside.
Also, if you absolutely must use your trap in an area where a curious pet may happen by, problems with animals going after the bait are alleviated by using bait that is unattractive to pets, yet attractive to flies. We've found a small bit of dog manure to be the best bait for the fly species in our area, and thankfully, our pets are not fond of their own droppings. A bait tray can be attached under your trap and rigged to hang off the ground. Or simply place the trap in areas where pets or wildlife will not come into contact with them. Yes, the Rid-Max Fly trap will catch these insects, too.