Got tiny bugs flying around your kitchen? Chances are, you’ve got fruit flies. Don’t worry though — they’re super common, and the good news is you don’t need to spend much time or money to get rid of them. Most of the stuff you need is probably already in your kitchen!
We recently had a fruit fly problem at home (the first time in over four years!), so I decided to try out 7 different ways to get rid of them. Yes, I took notes… and even made a spreadsheet. In this blog, I’ll share the best fruit fly traps you can make yourself, along with some simple tips to keep them from coming back.
All the traps I tried are DIY-friendly and use natural ingredients — no chemicals needed. Plus, if you’d rather not harm the flies, you can release them outside after trapping them.
What Are Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies are tiny flying insects that love sweet fruits and certain veggies. They’re also drawn to sugary drinks like juice, wine, or beer. You’ll usually find them hanging out near fruit bowls, trash cans, or even kitchen drains.
They’re about the size of a rice grain and have a tan or brownish body with red eyes. Fruit flies are most common during summer or early fall when fresh fruits are in season.
Even if just a few come home with your groceries, they can quickly turn into a swarm. Female fruit flies lay hundreds of eggs, which hatch in as little as 12 hours and become adults in just a few days. That’s why it’s important to act fast when you see them.
Fruit Flies vs. Fungus Gnats vs. Drain Flies
It’s easy to confuse fruit flies with fungus gnats or drain flies. But knowing which one you’re dealing with helps in choosing the right method.
- Fruit flies: Look like tiny houseflies. Found near fruits, trash, or food leftovers.
- Drain flies: Look fuzzy, like tiny moths. Usually seen around sinks and drains.
- Fungus gnats: Resemble small mosquitos. They hang out near houseplants and damp soil.
Not sure which one you have? Try one of the traps below — if it works, they’re likely fruit flies!
4 Easy DIY Fruit Fly Traps
Getting rid of fruit flies doesn’t need to be hard. All you need are a few household items and a bit of patience. Each trap works by attracting the flies and making sure they can’t fly back out.
Here are the four traps I tested:
- Funnel Trap
- Plastic Wrap Trap
- Dish Soap Trap
- Rotting Fruit Trap
Let’s go over each one:
1. Funnel Fruit Fly Trap
This one uses a paper funnel to trap the flies inside a container. They fly in but can’t find their way back out.
What you need:
- Small clear jar or cup (narrow opening works best)
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV), old wine, or beer
- Paper or cardstock
- Tape & scissors
Steps:
- Pour a little ACV into your container.
- Roll paper into a cone with a tiny hole at the tip and tape it.
- Place the cone into the container so it sits above the vinegar.
- Make sure there are no gaps where flies could escape.
Optional: If you don’t want to kill them, carry the trap outside and gently release them by removing the funnel.
2. Plastic Wrap Fruit Fly Trap
This method also uses ACV but seals the top with plastic wrap that has small holes poked in it.
What you need:
- Small jar or cup
- Plastic wrap or a plastic bag
- Rubber band
- Toothpick
- Apple cider vinegar
Steps:
- Pour some ACV into the container.
- Cover the top with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band.
- Use a toothpick to poke a few small holes in the plastic.
Optional: Carry the trap outside and remove the plastic to let the flies go.
You can also use an old jar lid and poke holes in it with a nail and hammer.
3. Dish Soap Fruit Fly Trap
This one doesn’t need a lid or funnel. It works by trapping the flies on a soapy surface.
What you need:
- Small bowl or dish
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dish soap
Steps:
- Pour some ACV into the bowl.
- Add a few drops of dish soap and mix.
The soap breaks the surface tension, so when flies land, they sink and can’t escape.
You can also combine this with the funnel or plastic wrap method by adding soap to the ACV.
4. Rotting Fruit Trap
Fruit flies love rotting fruit even more than vinegar — so why not use their favorite snack against them?
What you need:
- Small jar or cup
- A piece of fruit like a banana peel or apple slice
- Plastic wrap or paper funnel
Replace the ACV with a fruit scrap in either the plastic wrap or funnel trap setup. Or use both ACV and fruit together. Just remember to change the fruit every day or two to avoid bad smells.
The Best Fruit Fly Trap (Based on Results)
We tested:
- Plastic Wrap Trap + banana peel
- Funnel Trap + ACV + banana peel
- Plastic Wrap Trap + ACV + soap
- Dish Soap Trap + ACV
The trap with banana peel caught the most flies — even more than the ACV. The one with ACV and soap came in second, while plain dish soap came last. So no matter which trap you use, add a fruit scrap for the best results.
We preferred the plastic wrap trap overall because it was easier to make and didn’t tip over easily like the funnel did.
What Attracts Fruit Flies the Most?
We compared banana peels, apple slices, and a strawberry in separate traps. The strawberry ended up being the most attractive to fruit flies, followed by the banana peel. Apple slices didn’t catch any!
Storebought Fruit Fly Traps
If you don’t want to DIY, there are some effective storebought options too:
- Zevo Flying Insect Trap ($19): Uses UV light to attract and trap flies.
- Landisun Sticky Traps ($12): Good for placing near plants or counters.
- Terro Fruit Fly Traps ($15): Apple-shaped traps with liquid bait.
- Aunt Fannie’s FlyPunch ($8): Stylish and uses plant-based bait.
- Sur La Table Fly Trap ($15): Discreet-looking but needs your own lure.
We tested Terro’s trap too — it worked, but not as fast as our homemade banana and strawberry traps.
How To Prevent Fruit Flies
It’s easier to prevent fruit flies than deal with a full infestation. Here are a few quick tips:
- Clean kitchen surfaces regularly — especially if you spill juice or alcohol.
- Take out the trash every day, especially if there’s food inside.
- Don’t let fruit overripe. Keep an eye on your fruit bowl.
- Wash produce as soon as you bring it home.
- Store fruits and veggies in the fridge whenever possible.
- Clean your sink drain to remove leftover food scraps.
Final Thoughts
Fruit flies can be annoying, but they’re not hard to get rid of. Whether you use a homemade trap or a storebought one, you can get quick results — and maybe even enjoy the process a little. Becoming a fruit fly scientist was surprisingly fun!
