DIY Fruit Fly Traps: Keep Your Home Fruit Fly Free

Fruit flies driving you bananas? They might seem like a summertime nuisance, but they’re a year-round headache, especially when those summer fruits and fall harvests roll around! These tiny pests breed faster than you can say “apple cider vinegar,” but don’t worry, we’ve got your back. In this guide, we’ll share simple, DIY fruit fly traps using everyday household items – so you can evict those pesky fruit flies without harsh chemicals. Let’s reclaim your kitchen and send those fruit flies packing!

 

What Are Fruit Flies? Understanding Your Tiny Invaders

Fruit flies, those tiny, winged annoyances that seem to materialize out of nowhere, are formally known as Drosophila melanogaster. These little guys, typically measuring a mere 3-4 millimeters, are easily recognizable by their yellowish-brown bodies and telltale red eyes. Their insatiable appetite for overripe or decaying fruits and vegetables makes your kitchen their ideal playground. But what makes them truly infuriating is their lightning-fast life cycle; eggs hatch within a day or two, and they reach adulthood in a matter of days. So, what starts as a minor annoyance can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation.

 

What Causes Fruit Fly Infestations?

Fruit flies can enter your home for a number of reasons, but they are primarily attracted by food sources like exposed fruit, vegetables, or even juices that have spilled and gone unnoticed. Additionally, damp and dark areas like drains, garbage disposals, and trash bins provide perfect breeding environments. Once they settle in, these unwelcome guests can become hard to evict, so early intervention is key.

 

DIY Fruit Fly Traps: Natural Solutions That Work

Dealing with a fruit fly problem doesn’t have to involve harmful chemicals. You can make your own traps with everyday household items like apple cider vinegar, ripe fruit, and dish soap. Below are a few effective DIY methods to help you control these pesky bugs.

The Classic Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Fruit flies can’t resist the allure of fermentation, and apple cider vinegar is their party drink of choice! Warm it up a bit to amplify that irresistible aroma.

You will need…

• A mason jar or similar container
• A funnel (DIY or store-bought)
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• A drop of dish soap
• Ripe or overripe fruit (optional, for extra enticement)

Directions

1. Heat up the apple cider vinegar and pour it into your jar – just enough for the flies to take a fatal dip.
2. Add a drop or two of dish soap. This creates a soapy trap, preventing those crafty flies from escaping.
3. Roll a piece of paper into a funnel, insert it into the jar, and secure it with tape. The flies will waltz in for the vinegar feast but won’t find their way out.
4. If you want to make it extra tempting, toss in a piece of ripe fruit.
5. Once the trap is full, pop it in the freezer for 20 minutes to ensure those flies won’t be making a comeback. You can reuse the trap, just be sure to clean it out if the sight of drowned flies isn’t your cup of tea.

Ripe Fruit Trap: A Natural Lure

Fruit flies love fruit, so why not use it to lure them into a trap?

You will need…

• A glass jar
• Plastic wrap
• A toothpick
• Very ripe or overripe produce
• Soapy water

Directions

1. Place some overly ripe fruit at the bottom of a glass jar.
2. Cover with plastic wrap, secure it with a rubber band, and poke holes with a toothpick.
3. Strategically place these traps around your house and even outside on a warm, sunny day.
4. The flies will be drawn to the sweet aroma but won’t be able to escape.
5. Once the jar is full, submerge it in soapy water for about 10 minutes to ensure those flies are gone for good. Rinse, refill, and repeat! This is also a great way to repurpose fruit that’s seen better days.

 

Merry Fly Trap: The Wine-Soaked Demise

Believe it or not, flies can get tipsy too! They are particularly fond of red wine.

You will need…

• A little bit of red wine left in the bottle (or red wine vinegar/balsamic in a pinch)

Directions

1. Leave a small amount of red wine in the bottle and let it sit out.
2. The flies will flock to it and meet a merry end.
3. You can also transfer the wine to a separate container, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke holes.

 

Simple Vinegar and Soap Trap

For a slightly different twist, you can use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar. This method works just as well.

You will need…

• White vinegar
• Dish soap
• A small bowl or cup

Directions

1. Fill your container with white vinegar.
2. Add 3-4 drops of dish soap and stir gently.
3. Place the trap near areas where fruit flies congregate.

Like the apple cider vinegar trap, the flies are drawn to the scent of the vinegar but become trapped when they land on the soapy surface.

 

Tried and True Trap: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Secret

This recipe comes straight from the Old Farmer’s Almanac and has been used since 1850 in New England to combat fruit flies.

You will need…

• 1 pint of milk
• 1/4 pound of raw sugar
• 2 ounces of ground pepper

Directions

1. Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Pour the mixture into shallow dishes and place them around your house.
3. For some reason, fruit flies find this concoction irresistible and will drown in it.
4. If they seem to be landing and flying away, add a drop or two of dish soap.

 

Bonus Tip: Lemongrass Spray: The Natural Repellent

Lemongrass essential oil won’t kill fruit flies, but it can certainly deter them (and other pests too!).

You will need…

• 10 drops of Lemongrass essential oil
• A clean spray bottle
• 2 ounces of hot water

Directions

1. Mix 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil with 2 ounces of hot water in a spray bottle. Shake well.
2. Spray along windowsills, doorways, directly on flies when you see them, or anywhere else you deem fit.
3. It leaves a refreshing scent as a bonus!

 

How to Prevent Future Infestations

While these DIY fruit fly traps can reduce or eliminate the fruit fly population, it’s important to take steps to prevent future infestations. Store ripe fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, wipe down counters regularly, and take out the trash frequently. Also, clean out drains and garbage disposals to remove any debris that might attract fruit flies.

If you continue to struggle with fruit flies or face infestations of other pests, it may be time to seek professional help. Contact Champion Pest & Termite Control for a free estimate on pest prevention and treatment options tailored to your home or business.

By following these simple DIY methods, you can effectively trap and eliminate fruit flies, keeping your home fresh and fly-free all season long.

For more pest control tips, tricks, and updates, follow Champion Pest & Termite Control on Facebook!