Supplies
Apple cider vinegarDish soapA jar or small bowl
Instructions
Why This Works
As a natural, versatile, and environmentally friendly kitchen product, vinegar has many uses for cleaning. In addition to its cooking uses, it is an inexpensive ingredient in many cleaning DIYs. Plus, unlike many commercial products, vinegar does not emit harmful, harsh fumes. Fruit flies are attracted to the smell of the cider vinegar and will attempt to land on its surface. However, they will pass through the dish soap on the surface, not be able to get back up through it, and drown.
Alternative Method
If you don’t have any vinegar on hand, you can also trap fruit flies by placing a piece of overripe fruit in an open plastic bag. Wait for the fruit flies to congregate on the fruit, and then carefully seal the bag, trapping them inside.
How to Prevent Future Infestations
If you’d like to try more than making a trap, here are some good solutions:
Often infestations occur when you bring home infected fruit from the grocery store or produce stand. If you notice fruit flies when you’re shopping, skip any produce that they’re near. You can bet there are plenty of fruit fly eggs on that produce just waiting to hatch in your kitchen. When you consider that a single fruit fly can lay 500 eggs, that’s a pretty compelling reason to go home without the bananas that you planned to buy. Rinse off fruits that are washable once you get home—apples, stone fruit, bananas, citrus fruits, etc.—to dislodge fruit fly larvae. Plain water works, but you can also use one of those fruit and vegetable washes found in the produce department of your supermarket. Be diligent about eating fruits and vegetables before they become overripe or go bad. Fruit flies like to lay their eggs on ripe or fermented produce. Even better, store them in the refrigerator. Keep your kitchen clean. Fruit flies land and lay eggs on countertops and even in your sink. In fact, be sure there is no food waste leftover in your drain or garbage disposal. Take your trash out regularly (recyclables, too). Small amounts of juice or wine left at the bottom of bottles are enough to catch the attention of a fruit fly. If you can’t remember the last time you scrubbed out your kitchen trash can and recycling bins, now might be the time. Periodically throw your reusable shopping bags into the washer before fruit flies remind you that you’re overdue.
