Fruit flies are the ultimate pests! While keeping your home clean is the best way to prevent the bugs from invading your house in the first place, sometimes an infestation is hard to prevent. Once the bugs are in your home, how do you get rid of them? There are three DIY fruit fly traps you should try before moving on to chemical alternatives. According to the University of Kentucky's department of entomology, fruit flies are "especially common during late summer/fall," so we're stuck with them for a little longer.
But first, you won't be able to get rid of fruit flies unless you stop them at the source: that means getting rid of overripe produce, wiping down countertops, taking out the garbage regularly (and cleaning the bin), and keeping drains clean. Check your cabinets and pantry. If you have a rogue potato or onion, it could be the breeding ground for thousands of fruit flies. Then, try these homemade hacks.
Paper Cone Fruit Fly Trap
This is the technique recommended by the University of Kentucky's department of entomology. Plus, it's inexpensive and you probably have everything you need on hand. Place a few drops of apple cider vinegar or an old piece of apple or banana in the bottom of a jar. Then roll up a piece of notebook paper into a funnel, and fit it in the jar's opening.
Why it works: Fruit flies will enter the funnel to get to the fruit or vinegar and won't be able to fly back out.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap Fruit Fly Trap
This tried-and-true method passed the test of Country Living's Food and Crafts Director Charlyne Mattox. Fill a ceramic fruit fly trap with apple cider vinegar and a bit of dish soap. For a serious infestation, add a sticky fly trap to the top of the trap (you may need to cut it down to fit). If you don't want to purchase the fly trap, top a jar with foil, then poke holes in the foil.
Why it works: Flies are attracted to the vinegar, and the soap will prevent them from flying.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Plastic Wrap Fruit Fly Trap
If you have apple cider vinegar in your cabinet, put it to use. Fill a bowl or glass with apple cider vinegar, cover with plastic wrap, seal the edges tightly with a rubber band, and poke tiny holes in the top with a toothpick.
Why it works: Flies are attracted to the vinegar. Once they crawl inside the holes, they won't be able to get back out.
Still Fed Up with Fruit Flies? Try These Store-Bought Traps
One reviewer reports, "I had an infestation and I put out the two traps that came in the package. Within two days, the fruit flies were all gone!"
DynaTrap Plug-In Fly Trap
Our editors have used this plug-in version and say "The fruit fly count has decreased dramatically."
Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
One reviewer says, "The sticky pad makes it very visible how many have been caught, and the number grows over the days until the pad gets full and needs to be replaced."
Safer Home Indoor Plug-In Fly Trap
One five-star review says, "Because it is a passive device that contains no chemicals or insecticides, this thing is safe to use in the kitchen. We placed it just above the counter and we do not see bugs anymore."
FAQ
Do you need apple cider vinegar for a fruit fly trap?
You can make a homemade fruit fly trap without apple cider vinegar. We find that apple cider vinegar works best, but you can substitute beer, wine, fruit juice, or a piece of old fruit like banana or apple. Fruit flies are attracted to any fermented smell.
Is apple cider vinegar better than white vinegar for fruit fly traps?
Flies don't like the smell of regular vinegar, so the scent will repel them. The goal of the trap is to attract fruit flies, and apple cider vinegar does the trick.
How do you make a homemade fruit fly solution?
Our editors have found that the combination of apple cider vinegar and dish soap makes the most effective DIY fruit fly solution.
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers gift guides, product reviews, crafts, and TV shows like Yellowstone. She’s currently stitching up a cross-stitch pattern for the magazine’s next issue
