How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies: DIY & Homemade Traps

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Ever noticed those tiny, annoying flies buzzing around your kitchen? Maybe they’re hovering near your fresh fruit, vegetables, or even the trash can. If you’ve left out an empty beer bottle or juice glass, they might be partying there too. If this sounds familiar, you’ve probably got a fruit fly problem. Don’t worry, though! Let me show you how to deal with them easily and effectively.

What Are Fruit Flies?

Fruit flies are small, pesky insects that are especially attracted to sweet, ripe fruits and some vegetables. They also love sugary and fermented drinks like beer, wine, or juice. You’ll often find them hanging around fruit bowls, garbage bins, and even your kitchen sink.

These tiny pests are about the size of a grain of rice and usually have tan or brown bodies with red eyes. They’re most common in summer or early fall when fruits are at their peak.

DIY Fruit Fly Traps

Getting rid of fruit flies doesn’t require expensive gadgets or professional help. With just a few basic items from your home, you can create effective traps to catch these little troublemakers. The idea is simple: attract them to a bait and prevent them from escaping.

Let’s dive into some easy DIY fruit fly traps you can try at home.

Homemade Fruit Fly Traps

Apple Cider Vinegar Fruit Fly Trap

This trap is a classic because it works so well. The sweet smell of apple cider vinegar attracts the flies, and once they enter the trap, they can’t escape.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A small clear jar, cup, or container

• Rubber band

• Plastic wrap or a plastic bag

• Toothpick

• Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

Steps to make the trap:

〰 Choose a container: Pick a small, clear jar or cup. Using a transparent container helps you see how many flies you’ve caught, but any small container will do.

〰 Add apple cider vinegar: Pour some apple cider vinegar into the container. The strong, sweet scent will attract the fruit flies.

〰 Cover with plastic wrap: Tightly cover the top of the container with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band.

〰 Poke holes: Use a toothpick to make small holes in the plastic wrap. Make sure the holes are big enough for the flies to enter but not too large, so they can’t escape.

〰 Optional step: Once you’ve caught enough flies, carefully take the container outside and remove the plastic wrap to release them.

You can also use an old jar with a metal lid for this method. Poke a small hole in the lid using a nail and hammer, and it works just as well.

Jar and Funnel Trap

This method is similar to the others but uses a different bait. Place some overripe produce, ketchup, or a fermented drink like beer or wine into a jar. Add a funnel (or paper cone) to the opening, making it easy for flies to enter but hard for them to leave.

You can let the flies expire naturally or put the jar in the freezer to speed things up.

Funnel Fruit Fly Trap

This trap uses a homemade paper funnel to guide the flies into a container. Once they’re inside, they’ll have a hard time finding their way out.

Supplies needed:

• A small clear jar or container (narrow openings work best)

• Paper or cardstock

• Tape

• Scissors

• Fruit, such as apple slices or banana peels

Steps to make the trap:

〰 Choose a container: Use a small jar or plastic bottle with a narrow opening.

〰 Add fruit: Place a few slices of apple or any overripe fruit into the container. The natural sweetness will attract the fruit flies.

〰 Make a funnel: Roll a piece of paper into a cone shape with a small opening at the tip. Tape it to hold its shape.

〰 Set the funnel: Place the funnel into the jar with the narrow end pointing down. Ensure it fits snugly so flies can’t escape through gaps.

〰 Optional step: Once the jar fills up with flies, carefully take it outside, remove the funnel, and release the flies far from your home.

Use Rotten Fruit Against Them

If you’ve got some overripe fruit lying around, you can use it to your advantage. Here’s how:

〰 Put the rotten fruit in a disposable container.

〰 Cover it with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in the top.

〰 Place it where fruit flies gather and wait for them to swarm in.

〰 Once the container is full, you can dispose of it. Repeat as needed until the flies are gone.

How Can I Make Sure Fruit Flies Don’t Return?

Getting rid of fruit flies is one thing, but keeping them away is another. Here’s how to prevent them from coming back:

〰 Keep surfaces clean: Wipe down counters, tables, and stovetops regularly to remove food residue and spilled liquids.

〰 Take out the trash: Empty your garbage often to avoid creating a breeding ground.

〰 Watch your fruit: Toss out overripe or rotting fruit before it attracts flies.

〰 Wash produce: Rinse fruits and vegetables as soon as you bring them home to remove any eggs or larvae.

〰 Store food properly: Keep fresh produce in the fridge when possible. Fruit flies don’t thrive in the cold.

〰 Clean drains: Food scraps in your sink drain can attract fruit flies, so flush it regularly or run your garbage disposal.

What Attracts Fruit Flies the Most?

Fruit flies are drawn to sugary, rotting, or fermenting food. In an experiment, we tested a few baits: banana peels, apple slices, and strawberries. All worked well, but fruit flies seemed especially fond of banana peels.