Top 15 Fruit Fly Trap DIY [Make At Home]

Getting rid of fruit flies can be really annoying, especially when they seem to come from nowhere and take over your kitchen.

Wondering how to remove them without using strong chemicals? You’re in the right place! 

I’ve gathered 15 simple and effective DIY fruit fly traps that will help you take back your space. 

Let’s get started!

Fruit Fly Trap DIY

A fruit fly trap is essential for maintaining a hygienic and pest-free environment. These traps leverage alluring baits, typically sweet-smelling substances, to attract and capture fruit flies effectively.

You can commercially purchase or homemade, using simple ingredients like apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap.

The vinegar lures the flies, while the soap breaks the surface tension, causing them to sink and drown.

Strategically placing these traps near fruit bowls, trash bins, and other fly-prone areas ensures a significant reduction in fruit fly populations, providing a cleaner and more pleasant living space.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

You can easily make an effective fruit fly trap using apple cider vinegar. Just take a small bowl and fill it with apple cider vinegar, then add a few drops of dish soap. 

The vinegar attracts the fruit flies with its sweet smell, while the dish soap breaks the surface tension, causing the flies to drown. 

Place this bowl near fruit fly hotspots, and you’ll soon notice a significant reduction in their numbers.

2. Wine Trap

Got a little leftover wine? Fruit flies love fermented liquids, so you can use wine to lure them in. 

Pour a small amount of red or white wine into a glass or jar, cover the top with plastic wrap, and poke a few small holes in it. 

The fruit flies will be drawn to the wine, crawl through the holes, and get trapped inside. This method is both simple and effective.

3. Fruit Trap

To make a fruit trap, take a piece of overripe fruit and place it in a jar. Cover the top with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band.

Poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap to allow the flies to enter. 

The fruit’s scent will attract the flies, and once inside, they’ll struggle to find their way out. This trap is perfect for utilizing leftover fruit that would otherwise go to waste.

4. Yeast and Sugar Trap

Mixing yeast and sugar with water creates a potent fruit fly attractant. In a small container, combine a tablespoon of sugar with a packet of active dry yeast and some warm water. 

The yeast will start fermenting, releasing carbon dioxide, which fruit flies find irresistible. 

Cover the container with plastic wrap, poke a few holes in it, and watch as the fruit flies get trapped inside.

5. Milk, Sugar, and Pepper Trap

This old-fashioned fruit fly trap recipe uses common kitchen ingredients. Mix half a cup of milk with two tablespoons of sugar and one tablespoon of ground black pepper in a shallow dish. 

The sweet and spicy mixture will lure the fruit flies, and they will drown once they land on the liquid. It’s a straightforward and effective method for getting rid of these pesky insects.

6. Beer Trap

Similar to the wine trap, a beer trap takes advantage of fruit flies’ attraction to fermented beverages. 

Pour a little beer into a jar, cover it with plastic wrap, and secure it with a rubber band. Poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap. 

The flies will be drawn to the beer, enter through the holes, and be unable to escape. This is a great way to use up any leftover beer.

7. Vinegar and Sugar Trap

Combining vinegar and sugar creates a powerful lure for fruit flies. In a small bowl, mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and sugar. 

Add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture to break the surface tension. 

The sweet smell will attract the fruit flies, and the dish soap will ensure they can’t escape once they land in the liquid. Place the bowl in areas where fruit flies are a problem.

8. Lemon and Clove Trap

For a fragrant and effective fruit fly trap, use lemons and cloves. Cut a lemon in half and stick a few whole cloves into the flesh of the lemon.

Place the lemon halves cut side up on a plate in the infested area. 

The combination of citrus and spice will attract the fruit flies, and they’ll get trapped in the sticky juices of the lemon. Plus, this trap smells great!

9. Essential Oil Trap

Certain essential oils, like eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint, can repel fruit flies. 

Fill a small spray bottle with water and add a few drops of your chosen essential oil. Spray this mixture around areas where fruit flies are present. 

While this method is more of a deterrent than a trap, it can help keep fruit flies away from your home naturally.

10. Honey Trap

Honey is another effective ingredient for luring fruit flies. Spread a thin layer of honey on a small piece of paper or cardboard and place it near the fruit flies’ favorite spots. 

The sweet aroma of the honey will attract the flies, and they’ll get stuck in the sticky substance. This simple trap can help reduce the fruit fly population in your home.

11. Plastic Bottle Trap

You can make a fruit fly trap using an empty plastic bottle. Cut the bottle in half and invert the top part into the bottom part, creating a funnel.

Pour some apple cider vinegar into the bottom of the bottle. 

The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar, fly into the bottle, and be unable to escape. This trap is easy to set up and very effective.

12. Tomato Trap

If you have tomatoes that are starting to go bad, you can use them to make a fruit fly trap. 

Place a piece of overripe tomato in a jar and cover the top with plastic wrap. Secure the plastic wrap with a rubber band and poke a few small holes in it. 

The flies will be drawn to the tomato’s scent, enter the jar, and get trapped inside. This is a great way to repurpose spoiled tomatoes.

13. Herb and Vinegar Trap

Combining herbs and vinegar creates a fragrant and effective fruit fly trap.

In a small bowl, mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Add a few sprigs of fresh basil, mint, or rosemary to the mixture. 

The herbs will enhance the vinegar’s scent, making it even more attractive to fruit flies. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, poke a few holes in it, and place it near fruit fly hotspots.

14. Soap and Vinegar Trap

This trap uses dish soap and vinegar to capture fruit flies. In a small bowl, mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture. 

The vinegar will attract the fruit flies, and the soap will break the surface tension, causing the flies to drown. This is a simple and effective way to get rid of fruit flies quickly.

15. Red Wine Vinegar Trap

Red wine vinegar is another excellent ingredient for a fruit fly trap. 

Pour a small amount of red wine vinegar into a jar, cover the top with plastic wrap, and secure it with a rubber band. Poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap. 

The flies will be attracted to the vinegar, enter the jar, and get trapped inside. This method is both effective and easy to set up.