How to Make the Best Fruit Fly Trap

Delicious, photo worthy bowls of fruit on the counter may look appealing, but they can also attract unwanted pests. As much as you love that fruit, the bugs love it even more! Learn the secret for how to get rid of fruit flies with this easy DIY fruit fly trap.

What Causes Fruit Flies?

I neglected to empty the compost bin last week, and the fruit flies discovered an all you can eat buffet. We’re now in the process of ridding our house of the unwanted little guys.

These tiny bugs aren’t just attracted to fruit. Here are some other things to watch out for in your home.

Things that Attract Fruit Flies:

• Used cloth diapers. Keep that pail clean!
• Food splatters on cabinets
• Sticky residue on the fridge and dishwasher
• Compost pails
• Fruit of all kinds
• Fermenting and fermented foods (kombucha, kefir, vinegar etc.)
• Any rotting root vegetables like potatoes and onions
• Wooden and plastic utensils (these can absorb odors that attract the bugs)
• Dirty dishes
• Garbage disposals and sink strainers
• Trash cans

How Long Do Fruit Flies Live in Your House?

Too long. These annoying pests live for about 40-50 days and are busy making babies a large portion of that time. It’s easy for them to get out of control and there’s a full on infestation. Luckily, I’ve found a way to keep them away for good!

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

• Thoroughly clean everything in the kitchen that could be attracting fruit flies. I wiped down all the cabinets, counters, appliances and other surfaces. Don’t use a cleaner with vinegar in it though, as this will just attract them even more!
• Wash cloth diapers daily, especially the poopy ones. If I keep to my every 3 day diaper washing routine in the summer, the bugs are more likely to swarm.
• Move the kitchen trash can outside temporarily. My parents have been dealing with an infestation and they’ve had success with doing this.

After you’ve thoroughly cleaned all areas, it’s time to set the traps! I’ve tried a lot of different things to attract them, but here is what I’ve found to be the most effective, and it’s so easy!

How to Make a DIY Fruit Fly Trap that Really Works

You Will Need:

• Fermented Juice or wine ( kombucha or raw apple cider vinegar can also be used)
• Dish soap
• Small, shallow bowls

Instructions

1. Fill the bowl almost to the top with the juice or wine.  For every 1/4 cup liquid, add 3 drops of concentrated dish soap. I’ve successfully used Dawn brand, but I’m not sure how others will work.
2. Place bowls of the mix around the kitchen in areas the bugs like to congregate.
3. It’s important to fill the bowls close to the very top, otherwise bugs will gather on the rim and stay there.

Will regular juice work? Fruit flies are attracted to fermenting and rotting things, so regular juice doesn’t work as well.

A Fruit Fly Trap Without Vinegar

White vinegar works great for cleaning tile in my homemade, citrus infused cleaner, or in this citrus splash all-purpose spray. I haven’t had much luck with it in a fruit fly trap though. Apple cider vinegar works much better, but I’ve found that the bugs like wine more than anything else. They apparently have good taste. Any cheap wine works, but I’ve used the dark red wines successfully.

Have you ever dealt with unwanted fruit flies? What did or didn’t work for you? Let us know in the comments below!