3 DIY Fruit Fly Traps You Can Make in Minutes

Although they can be a nuisance, fruit flies are something many people encounter in their homes. They are typically attracted to fruit and other sugary substances, so the best thing to do when you spot fruit flies is to throw away old fruit and vegetables that are decaying. But if that still doesn't do the trick, there are a few easy homemade traps that will get rid of the pest. These DIY traps take mere minutes to make and can be assembled using supplies you likely already have on hand.

How to Make a Fruit Fly Trap With Vinegar and Soap

One of the most common methods for trapping fruit flies is with apple cider vinegar and soap. The vinegar serves as bait because fruit flies love its fermented smell. "The soap breaks up the surface tension so any fruit fly that lands for a drink will fall into the liquid and won’t be able to escape," says Timothy Wong, technical director of M&M Pest Control.

1. Pour 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar into a container.
2. Add 1 to 2 drops of liquid soap to the vinegar.
3. Cover the container with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and secure it with a rubber band or tape.
4. Use a toothpick to poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap or foil.

How to Make a Fruit Fly Trap With a Plastic Bottle

Another easy way to trap fruit flies is with a plastic bottle. "This funnel design works well for a lot of DIY bug traps because once they’re inside, their instinct is to climb up the edges of the bottle instead of flying out of the center," says Wong.

1. Carefully poke or drill 3 to 4 small holes into the plastic cap.
2. With the cap still on, cut off the top third of the plastic bottle and flip it upside down, forming a funnel.
3. Add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar or fruit scraps to the bottom of the bottle.
4. Secure the funnel in place with tape, making sure there are no gaps around the edges.

How to Make a Fruit Fly Trap With a Paper Cone

This trap uses the same principles as the previous trap, but is handy to know in case you don't have a plastic bottle handy. The fruit flies go into the funnel (in this case the paper cone) and then get trapped in a closed container (the jar), says Wong.

1. Roll a sheet of paper into a cone and place it tip-side down in your jar, leaving about 2 inches of space between the tip of the cone and the bottom of the jar. 
2. Snip the tip of the cone to create a small opening for the fruit flies to get in.
3. Add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar or fruit scraps to the bottom of the jar.
4. Set the paper cone funnel over the jar, making sure there are no gaps around the edges.

Store-Bought Options

If you don't have the necessary materials to DIY a fruit fly trap or would rather purchase one, countertop bait traps like the Terro Fruit Fly Trap are the most effective. This is because they use food-based attractants like vinegar and fermented fruit. "They’re basically upgraded versions of the DIY traps," says Wong.

The most cost-effective option, though, are sticky traps. "They’re usually yellow in color, which fruit flies are attracted to, and once they land on one, the fruit flies get stuck in the glue," says Wong. "It will also catch other flying pests like fungus gnats and houseflies. Another shoppable option is UV light traps, which are similar to sticky traps because they can catch a range of flying insects."