Got tiny bugs buzzing around your ripe bananas? You probably have fruit flies. These pesky insects are a common nuisance, but thankfully, eliminating them doesn’t require harsh chemicals or expensive treatments. You likely have everything you need already in your pantry! We recently battled a fruit fly infestation and experimented with seven different natural methods to get rid of them. Here, we share the most effective DIY fruit fly traps and prevention tips.
Understanding the Enemy: What Are Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies are small, flying pests drawn to the sugars in ripening fruits and vegetables, hence their name. They’re also attracted to fermented substances like beer, wine, and even lingering juice spills. You’ll often find them swarming around fruit bowls, overflowing garbage cans, and sometimes even kitchen drains. About the size of a grain of rice, they resemble tiny houseflies with tan or brownish bodies and distinctive red eyes. Fruit flies are most prevalent during summer and late fall when fruits are abundant.
Close Up Of Fruit Fly
A fruit fly infestation can start with just a few hitchhikers on a piece of fruit. However, female fruit flies can lay hundreds of eggs in their short lifespan, with eggs hatching in as little as 12 hours. These rapidly mature into adults within days, quickly turning a small problem into a full-blown swarm. Swift action is key to preventing a major infestation.
Fruit Flies vs. Fungus Gnats vs. Drain Flies
Fruit flies are often confused with other small flying insects, particularly fungus gnats and drain flies. While all are tiny pests, accurate identification is crucial for effective elimination. The easiest way to differentiate them is by their location and appearance:
- Fruit flies resemble small houseflies. They congregate near fruit, garbage, or other sweet, decaying food sources.
- Drain flies look like miniature moths with fuzzy bodies. They’re usually found near sinks and drains, breeding in moist environments.
- Fungus gnats resemble small mosquitos. They hover around houseplants, as they thrive in damp potting soil.
If you’re unsure, try one of the traps below. If it attracts the insects in your home, you’ve likely got fruit flies!
4 Effective DIY Fruit Fly Traps: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Naturally
Eliminating fruit flies is surprisingly easy and inexpensive. You’ll need common household items and a little patience. Each trap follows the same principle: lure the fruit flies in and prevent their escape. We tested four DIY methods with a clear winner emerging.
1. The Classic Funnel Trap
This trap uses a paper funnel to guide fruit flies into a container, making it difficult for them to escape.
DIY Fruit Fly Trap With Paper Funnel
Materials:
- Small jar or container with a narrow opening
- Paper or cardstock
- Tape
- Scissors
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
Instructions:
- Pour a small amount of ACV (or old beer or wine) into the container to attract the flies.
- Create a cone-shaped funnel from paper with a tiny opening at the tip (about the size of a grain of rice). Secure with tape.
- Place the funnel securely into the container opening, ensuring no gaps for escape.
2. The Simple Plastic Wrap Trap
Similar to the funnel trap, this method uses plastic wrap to trap fruit flies inside a container.
Materials:
- Small jar or container
- Plastic wrap
- Rubber band
- Toothpick
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
Instructions:
- Pour ACV into the container.
- Tightly cover the container opening with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band.
- Poke several small holes in the plastic wrap with a toothpick.
3. The No-Escape Dish Soap Trap
This trap uses dish soap to prevent fruit flies from escaping a container. Note: This method does not allow for releasing the flies.
Dish Soap Into Apple Cider Vinegar For DIY Fruit Fly Trap
Materials:
- Small container or bowl
- Dish soap
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
Instructions:
- Fill the container with ACV.
- Add a few drops of dish soap and mix well. Flies will land in the mixture but struggle to fly away.
4. The Rotting Fruit Trap: Using What They Love
This method utilizes actual fruit scraps to attract fruit flies.
Materials:
- Small jar or container
- Plastic wrap or paper funnel
- Fruit scraps (banana peel, apple slice)
Instructions:
- Place a fruit scrap in the container instead of ACV.
- Cover with plastic wrap (poke holes) or use a funnel, as described in previous methods. Replace the fruit every 1-2 days to prevent unpleasant odors.
The Most Effective Fruit Fly Trap: Our Experiment Results
4 DIY Fruit Fly Traps
We tested all four traps simultaneously. The clear winner wasn’t the trap type but the bait. Traps with banana peels significantly outperformed those with just ACV. Adding a fruit scrap, especially banana or strawberry, to any trap dramatically increases its effectiveness. While both the plastic wrap and funnel traps worked well with fruit, we preferred the plastic wrap trap for its simplicity and stability.
What Attracts Fruit Flies Most? Fruit Bait Showdown
We conducted another experiment to determine the most enticing fruit bait: banana peel, apple slices, or strawberry.
The strawberry proved the most attractive, followed by the banana peel. The apple slices didn’t attract any flies.
Store-Bought Fruit Fly Traps: A Comparison
Collage of Storebought Fruit Fly Traps
While DIY traps are highly effective, store-bought options offer convenience and discretion. We tested a popular brand against our homemade traps.
Terro Fruit Fly Trap With Dead Fruit Flies
The homemade strawberry trap outperformed the store-bought trap initially. However, the store-bought trap eventually caught a significant number of flies when left out for a longer period. Consider store-bought traps for a more discreet, long-term solution.
Preventing Fruit Flies: Proactive Measures
The best way to deal with fruit flies is to prevent them in the first place.
- Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly wipe down kitchen surfaces, especially areas where food and drinks are consumed or prepared.
- Manage Garbage: Empty trash cans frequently, especially those containing food scraps.
- Discard Overripe Fruit: Promptly remove and dispose of browning or rotting fruits and vegetables.
- Wash Produce: Wash fruits and vegetables upon arrival home to remove potential eggs or larvae.
- Refrigerate Produce: Store fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator whenever possible to deter fruit flies.
- Clean Drains: Regularly clean sink drains and garbage disposals to eliminate food residue that attracts fruit flies.
Don’t panic if you spot fruit flies. These simple and effective solutions can help you quickly eliminate and prevent future infestations.
