Every year, there comes a time when you don’t have to check the weather to know it’s warming up. The fruit flies setting up shop in your produce bowl will let you know. During bug season (a.k.a. spring and summer), among all of the house pests that make their way inside, fruit flies are some of the most annoying and difficult to banish. That’s why a good fruit fly trap DIY is essential.
When you suddenly sense that you’re being swarmed in your own home, don’t panic. The good news is, fruit flies at least don’t leave behind uncomfortable, itchy bug bites, and unlike other invasions, this one can be taken care of without the help of a costly exterminator. Whether you fashion your own elimination innovation with a few household ingredients, or you tap in one of the many affordable, easy-to-use options there are online, your fruit fly army stands no chance against our nagging gnat solutions. Keep reading to learn more about the best ways to get rid of fruit flies, plus how to keep them from getting inside in the first place.
1. DIY Fruit Fly Trap With Apple Cider Vinegar and Plastic Wrap
If you prefer to use items you already have around the house to tackle your fruit fly problem, you’re in luck. Because these pests are naturally attracted to sugar, produce, and other things you keep in the kitchen, there are plenty of DIY remedies to get rid of them. To make this one, all you need to do is pour some apple cider vinegar in a glass, cover the top with plastic wrap (you can secure it with a rubber band or hair tie), and poke some holes in the plastic. The flies won’t be able to resist the vinegar, and plastic wrap will keep them from escaping. Easy and effective!
2. DIY Fruit Fly Trap With Dish Soap and Vinegar
While most DIY fruit fly traps are easy to make, this one is truly hard to beat. Simply pour some vinegar (apple cider or white, whatever you have) into a bowl and add a couple drops of dish soap. You can leave the bowl uncovered on your counter or any surface near where you tend to add fruit flies. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar, and the dish soap will cause them to sink so they can’t escape.
3. Easy to use fruit fly trap
This trap is as effective as it is easy to use. Formulated with no harsh chemicals, the brand says it’s safe to use near food or food prep areas, which means it’s also safe to set up around pets or kids. Just flip open the top of the jar, set it up in an area where you typically see fruit flies, and you’ll be good for up to 30 days. “This really works!” writes one reviewer. “I don’t know how I got a fruit fly problem, but this stuff sorted it out."
4. Affordable fruit fly trap
If you’re really feeling outnumbered by the flies, you can bring in the big guns with this 36-pack of sticky traps that costs less than $10. The bright color attracts fruit flies, gnats, and other pests while the strong adhesive keeps them from getting away. They’re super convenient, and easy to stick in plants, baskets, or anywhere around your home where you get fruit flies. “These things work like magic!” writes one reviewer.
5. Discreet fruit fly trap
These fruit fly traps are the highest rated on Amazon for a reason. The discreet, apple-shaped design blends in with the tantalizing fruit and a liquid bait inside attracts them. Simply place a trap in your home’s most popular area, and it will be protected for up to 45 days. “These have been lifesavers, and dramatically reduced the fly issue in our apartment,” writes one reviewer. “Highly recommend to anyone with the same issues.”
How to prevent fruit flies from taking over your home
While fruit fly traps are a great option to help rid your space of an existing fly problem, there are also actions you can take to help prevent the pests from showing up in the first place.
To avoid a fruit fly problem:
- Whenever possible, avoid keeping produce, fruit, or other sugary foods out in your kitchen and instead opt to keep these items in the fridge or a sealed cabinet.
- When you bring produce home, be sure to wash it immediately to get rid of any existing bugs before storing it.
- Empty your kitchen trash can as often as possible in order to avoid letting any food scraps sit that might attract flies.
- Be sure to clean up any spills in your home right away. Sugary drinks/liquids in particular will quickly attract pests if not cleaned up immediately.
- Keep your kitchen space clean in general, especially your sink, disposal, and other areas that might be overlooked. This will help prevent fruit flies from invading and make your life a lot easier.
- Clean the leaves and regularly change the soil of your house plants, which can be breeding grounds for the bugs.
What is the best bait for a fruit fly trap?
Anything with vinegar is a great start for a DIY fruit fly trap—there‘s a reason it’s featured in both of our DIY recipes. It attracts fruit flies like a magnet.
How do you trap fruit flies with vinegar?
To use vinegar in a fruit fly trap, all you have to do is pour a small amount in a shallow container, either mixed with dish soap or covered by plastic. The shallow container leaves them little room to escape, and the dish soap and/or plastic wrap serves as extra security.
What is the fastest way to get rid of fruit flies DIY?
It depends on how intense your infestation is, but the fastest way to get rid of fruit flies is to enact multiple types of traps at once. That way, if one doesn’t work as well as you anticipated, another one can hopefully pick up the slack.
Jenn Gonick joins Prevention as an editorial intern for e-commerce and gift guides. She has prior experience with social media management and marketing, as well as writing blogs and SEO content. She is particularly passionate about writing in the wellness and mental health spaces. Jenn is currently a student at the George Washington University pursuing a degree in English and Communication.
