How To Make A DIY Fruit Fly Trap That Actually Works
Fruit flies are the worst. They show up the moment you forget a banana on the counter or leave a glass of juice sitting out. They’re tiny, fast, and so hard to get rid of. Luckily, you don’t need fancy gadgets to banish them for good. A simple homemade trap can attract and catch them within hours. And once you see how easy it is to set up, you’ll wonder why you ever tolerated those little pests in the first place.
Start With A Small Jar Or Cup
Any little container works, like a ramekin, a recycled jar, even a paper cup. The fruit flies don’t care what it looks like as long as it holds the bait. Make sure it’s small enough to fit near the problem area but deep enough that the flies can’t easily crawl back out once they’re inside. This tiny container will hold your trap inside.
Mix Up A Sweet, Smelly Bait
Fruit flies are drawn to things that smell overripe and sweet. A splash of apple cider vinegar is usually enough, but adding a drop of dish soap helps break the surface tension so the flies sink into the mix instead of floating. You don’t need much, just enough to smell slightly sour and inviting. If you don’t have vinegar, an overripe piece of fruit works too. Think of this as the bait.
Cover The Trap With Plastic Wrap
Stretch plastic wrap tightly over the top of the container and poke a few small holes with a toothpick or fork. The flies will crawl in easily but struggle to find their way back out. It’s simple and works surprisingly well. The plastic wrap also keeps the smell contained so your kitchen doesn’t smell like vinegar.
Place The Trap Where The Flies Actually Are
Set the trap as close as possible to the source: near your fruit bowl, beside the sink, or on the counter where spills happen. Fruit flies follow scent trails, so location matters more than you’d think. Sometimes moving the trap just a few inches makes it dramatically more effective. Watch where they hover and put the trap right in their flight path.
Tidy Up The Area To Cut Off Their Food Supply
A trap alone won’t solve the whole problem if fruit flies still have other food sources. Make sure to wipe counters, empty the compost bin, and rinse bottles or jars before tossing them. Even a few sticky spills can keep fruit flies around for longer. Make sure that your trap is the only food option in the room.
Give The Trap Time To Do Its Job
It can be tempting to check the trap every five minutes, but leave it alone for a few hours. Fruit flies won’t go in unless it’s quiet. Wait until the end of the day to check how many found their way inside. If the trap slows down, refresh the vinegar and reset the wrap. Sometimes stubborn flies need a little encouragement, but this method almost always works.
Keep A Backup Trap For The Future
Fruit fly outbreaks come and go, usually when fruit ripens faster than you expect or when summer heat kicks in. Saving a small jar and remembering the vinegar trick means you’re always prepared. Once you’ve done it once, making a new trap takes seconds. It’s one of those simple household hacks that becomes a quiet go-to whenever you see a few little flies hovering around.
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Fruit flies are annoying, but dealing with them doesn’t have to be. With a tiny container, a splash of vinegar, and a bit of plastic wrap, you can reclaim your kitchen in no time. The best part is that it’s cheap, quick, and super effective. A little DIY magic, and the swarm disappears for good. Who knew it was that easy?
Bliss Donahue-Power
