easy DIY fruit fly trap

This time of the year is one of my favorites for getting fresh produce and fruit. My fridge is currently half full of this week’s bounty from our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share and I also have plans to grab some blueberries and raspberries this week from local farms. Bringing in so many tasty eats also tends to bring in some unwanted guests… namely fruit flies. I hate those little suckers and today I’m going to share the very effective and easy to make fruit fly trap that I’ve been using for a few years now.

This recipe is not of my creation and I’m sure you can find others sharing this same recipe elsewhere online. I think that’s because 1) it is very effective and 2) it is a tried and true recipe that even our local farmstand keeps out near their produce to reduce these little pests.

You will need ::

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Water
• Dish Soap
• Glass Jar
• Something to stir with (I use a bamboo skewer)

1. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar to the jar
2. Add in an equal amount of water. You can eyeball this is you’re good at guestimating, or use a measuring cup to be more precise.
3. Add in 2-3 drops of dish soap
4. Stir until the soap is well dispensed.

Yep, that’s it. Easy and effective I will make a new batch up about once a week and just dump the rest down the drain or somewhere there are not plants (because the vinegar will kill your plants or lawn).

TIPS ::

• don’t use the fancy organic stuff for these traps, it doesn’t work as well as the brand I have in the photo or just a store brand
• glass jam jars work great because they don’t absorb smell, are sturdy, can be reused, are easy to clean, and don’t hold too much liquid (just in case your kids or pets accidentally spill the mixture)
• any old dish soap will work, basically it’s the smell of the apple cider vinegar that attracts the flies and the soap just makes them stick in the mixture, even scent-free soap is good here
• use a chalk marker to label your jar BEFORE adding the liquids and your kids/spouse/etc. won’t accidentally dump out the random jar of liquid on the counter
• the fruit fly trap will work for regular house flies also, as well as other types of bugs that are attracted to the smell of sweet/rotting things
• these are great next to the kitchen sink (or disposal!) as well as near any fruits or veggies you may leave on the counter

If you try the recipe let us know how effective it was for you, or are you already a fan of this type of fruit fly trap in your kitchen?