Homemade Traps for Fruit Flies: Simple Solutions To Keep Your Home Pest Free

Maybe it is only us, but when school and work is in full swing we get so busy we often have apples or bananas that sit out on the counter far past their prime. During the warm months that means one thing, fruit flies. Yuck. There is nothing more annoying than swatting at a bunch of random bugs flying around your house while taking care of making dinner, cleaning or just living life. I have found a way to get rid of fruit flies that don’t involve using chemical sprays or expensive store bought traps. Try out one of these simple and effective DIY traps with items you may already have at home to get rid of them fast!

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Apple cider vinegar is a classic solution for catching fruit flies because they’re naturally attracted to the smell of fermentation. Here’s how to make a trap:

• Pour about ½ cup of apple cider vinegar into a small bowl or cup.

• Add a few drops of dish soap to the vinegar. The soap breaks the surface tension, causing the flies to sink when they land.

• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke a few small holes in the top. The flies will enter the trap but won’t be able to escape.

2. Wine Trap

Got some leftover wine? Fruit flies love it, too! Here’s how to use it as a trap:

• Pour a little bit of red wine into a glass (about ½ inch deep).

• Add a drop of dish soap to make the liquid stickier.

• Leave the glass uncovered where fruit flies are gathering. They’ll be drawn to the wine, fall in, and be trapped.

3. Fruit Bait Trap

If you don’t have apple cider vinegar or wine, use overripe fruit to lure the flies:

• Place a piece of overripe fruit (banana, apple, etc.) in a small container.

• Cover the top with plastic wrap and poke several holes using a toothpick.

• The flies will be drawn to the fruit and get trapped inside.

Tips to Prevent Future Infestations

Yes, disposing of overly ripe fruit is an easy way to prevent fruit flies from taking over your home, but these are other ways that may help keep them away as well:

• Clean up spills and crumbs right away.

• Store fruits in the fridge or in tightly sealed containers.

• Regularly take out the trash and clean your drains, where fruit flies often breed.

Say goodbye to pesky fruit flies with these simple, eco-friendly traps made from common household items. Not only do these DIY solutions effectively eliminate fruit flies, but they also help keep your home chemical-free and safe for your family.