Tired of tiny flies hovering around your fruit bowl or kitchen sink? Fruit flies are more than just a nuisance. They breed rapidly and can quickly take over your home. The good news? You don’t need harsh chemicals to fight them. You can get rid of fruit flies in your house naturally with a few simple items already in your kitchen.

This guide shows you 5 easy and effective DIY fruit fly traps that actually work, using natural ingredients like apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and even ripe bananas. There are many other pieces of relevant information here! So let’s get started!

What are Fruit Flies and Why are They in Your House?

Fruit flies are tiny flying insects that thrive on ripening or fermenting fruits, sugary liquids, and organic waste. They are usually tan or brown, with red eyes, and measure approximately 1/8 inch in length.

These pests often enter your home through open doors, windows, or even on items like bananas or tomatoes purchased at the grocery store. Once inside, they are drawn to food left on counters, garbage bins, drains, and recycling areas. They like to call any place home where they can find moisture and sugar to breed.

A single female fruit fly can lay hundreds of eggs on a moist surface, such as rotting fruit or inside your drain pipes. That’s why infestations can feel like they appear overnight and get out of control quickly.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies: Best DIY Fruit Fly Traps

Here are 5 effective and natural ways to get rid of fruit flies in the house. The best part is that all these traps are simple, safe, and use ingredients you likely already have at home. Use more than one at a time for faster results.

1. Classic Plastic-Wrap Vinegar Trap

   This is one of the most popular and effective home remedies for getting rid of fruit flies in the house. This trap uses the strong scent of apple cider vinegar to lure fruit flies in. Once inside, the plastic wrap prevents them from finding their way out.

   What You Need:

   • A small glass jar or cup
   • Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
   • Plastic wrap or a square of a plastic bag
   • Rubber band
   • Toothpick

   Instructions: How to Set it Up

   1. Choose a Clear Container: A small mason jar, cup, or even a recycled glass bottle works. Clear glass lets you see the trapped flies inside.
   2. Pour in the Apple Cider Vinegar: Fill the container about 1-2 inches. The vinegar’s fermented scent attracts the flies.
   3. Seal the Top: Cover the opening tightly with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band.
   4. Poke Holes: Use a toothpick to make 5-6 small holes in the plastic wrap. The flies will enter through these holes but won’t be able to get out.
   5. Place Strategically: Set the trap near fruit bowls, compost bins, or kitchen sinks, wherever flies are active.
   6. Dispose Outdoors (Optional): Once the trap is full, take it outside to release the flies if you don’t want to kill them.

   Tip: No plastic wrap? You can poke holes in a mason jar lid using a nail and hammer to make this apple cider vinegar trap.

2. Fruit Fly Dish Soap Trap (No Cover Needed)

   This DIY fruit fly trap uses apple cider vinegar to attract fruit flies and dish soap to make sure they don’t escape. It’s incredibly simple and works great in open bowls left near problem areas.

   What You Need:

   • Shallow bowl or ramekin
   • Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
   • A few drops of liquid dish soap

   Instructions: How to Set it Up

   1. Pick Your Container: Choose a small, shallow dish like a ramekin or dipping bowl. These work better than tall glasses because flies land more easily on them.
   2. Add Apple Cider Vinegar: Pour about an inch of ACV into the dish. You can also add a bit of old wine or beer for an extra touch.
   3. Add Dish Soap: Add 2-3 drops of dish soap and stir gently. The soap breaks the surface tension, allowing flies to sink and drown when they land.
   4. Place Uncovered: Leave the dish uncovered near fruit, compost bins, or drains, wherever you’ve seen fly activity.
   5. Refresh Regularly: Discard and refill the trap every couple of days to keep it working effectively.

   Tip: If you don’t have ACV, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar can also work. But avoid white vinegar as it’s less attractive to fruit flies.

3. Overripe Fruit Trap (For Maximum Attraction)

   It is one of the best diy fruit fly traps because flies are naturally drawn to ripening or decaying fruit. It’s where they feed and lay eggs. This trap mimics the environment, making it easy to catch them in large quantities.

   What You Need:

   • A small bowl or cup
   • Plastic wrap or a plastic bag
   • Rubber band
   • Overripe banana, peach, or other fruit
   • Toothpick

   Instructions: How to Set it Up

   1. Choose Your Container: Use any small cup or bowl. Clear containers help you monitor fly activity,6 but aren’t required.
   2. Add Rotting Fruit: Place a few chunks of overripe or fermented fruit inside. Bananas, peaches, and nectarines are the best options.
   3. Seal With Plastic: Stretch a piece of plastic wrap tightly across the top and secure with a rubber band. A plastic bag can also work in a pinch.
   4. Poke Holes: Use a toothpick to poke a few small holes in the plastic. Flies will crawl in through the holes but struggle to get out.
   5. Replace as Needed. After a few days, discard the trap and replace it with a new one.

   Tip: This trap works especially well near fruit bowls or compost bins. Just don’t forget to remove it before the smell becomes too strong.

4. Paper Funnel Trap (Classic & Reusable)

   This old-school trap uses a funnel to direct fruit flies into a container of bait. It’s simple, effective, and reusable if you clean it well.

   What You Need:

   • Small jar or cup
   • Piece of paper (cut into a cone/funnel shape)
   • Tape or staples
   • Apple cider vinegar or wine
   • Small fruit piece (optional)

   Instructions: How to Set it Up

   1. Make the Funnel: Roll a sheet of paper into a cone shape with a small opening at the tip. Secure with tape or a staple.
   2. Prepare Your Jar: Add 1–2 inches of apple cider vinegar or wine into the jar. You can drop in a piece of ripe fruit for an extra draw.
   3. Insert the Funnel: Place the funnel into the jar, tip-side down, without letting it touch the liquid. The wide part should rest on the rim.
   4. Seal Edges (optional): For better trapping, tape around the jar rim to prevent flies from escaping.
   5. Empty and Reset: When full, discard the contents outdoors or rinse and refill as needed.

   Tip: Keep the funnel for future use. Just swap out the bait, and you are good to go!

5. Beer or Wine Bottle Trap (No Cleanup Needed)

   This trap makes use of leftover beer or red wine and requires no extra setup. You just need an open bottle. The narrow neck acts as a natural trap for flies once they crawl in.

   What You Need:

   • Nearly empty bottle of beer or red wine
   • Optional: A drop of dish soap

   Instructions: How to Set it Up

   1. Choose Your Bottle: Use a glass beer or wine bottle with a small amount of liquid left at the bottom. Don’t rinse it out!
   2. Add Dish Soap (Optional): For a stronger trap, add a drop of dish soap to break the surface tension.
   3. Leave it Open: Simply place the open bottle where fruit flies are active. They’ll crawl in and won’t find their way back out.
   4. Dispose When Full. Cap the bottle and discard it when it becomes full of flies.

   Tip: Dark-colored bottles work better because they make it harder for flies to escape once inside.

When to Call a Professional

If fruit flies keep coming back despite your best DIY efforts, or you are seeing other flying insects like drain flies or fungus gnats, it may be time to bring in expert help.

How to Prevent Fruit Flies (And Keep Them Away for Good)

DIY traps are an effective way to get rid of fruit flies. However, prevention is key to stopping them from recurring. Here are smart, simple habits you can adopt to keep your kitchen fly-free all year.

• Wipe Down Kitchen Surfaces Daily

  Fruit flies are drawn to sugary residues from juice, wine, or fruit. Clean countertops daily. Don’t forget to wipe under toasters and appliances where crumbs collect.

• Empty the Trash Without Delay

  Never leave food scraps or peels sitting overnight. Tie off trash bags tightly and rinse your indoor bins at least once a week to remove sticky residue.

• Toss Overripe or Rotting Produce

  Check your fruit bowl every day. Discard or compost any soft, bruised, or fermenting fruits immediately to cut off the flies’ main food source.

• Rinse Fruits Before Storing

  Wash fruits like apples, peaches, and plums as soon as you bring them home to remove fly-attracting residues. For delicate berries, rinse just before eating to prevent early spoilage.

• Refrigerate Ripening Produce

  Storing produce, such as bananas, grapes, or tomatoes, in the fridge slows down the ripening process. It keeps fruit flies from gathering on your countertops.

• Clean Kitchen Drains Weekly

  Pour boiling water down your kitchen drain regularly. For a deeper clean, follow up with a mix of baking soda and vinegar to break down sticky organic gunk.

• Dry Sponges and Dish Rags Overnight

  Damp cloths are breeding grounds for bacteria and attract fruit flies. Squeeze them out fully and hang them to dry. Additionally, replace or disinfect them on a weekly basis.

• Install Window and Door Screens

  Prevention starts at the entry points. Fit fine-mesh screens on your windows and doors to prevent fruit flies (and other pests) from entering.

Fruit Flies vs. Fungus Gnats vs. Drain Flies

Not all tiny flies in your home are fruit flies. Misidentifying them could make your DIY fixes ineffective. Here’s how to tell the difference so you can tackle the right pest with the right strategy.

• Fruit Flies
  These small, tan flies are obsessed with overripe fruit, sugary drinks, and anything fermenting. You can often spot fruit flies buzzing near fruit bowls or open wine bottles.
• Fungus Gnats
  These dark-colored, mosquito-like pests prefer damp potting soil and are usually found hovering around houseplants. Fungus gnats don’t care for your food. Just moist mud or dirt is enough for their survival!
• Drain Flies
  These are fuzzy, greyish flies that look like tiny moths and hover near sinks, bathroom drains, or floor pipes. Drain flies feed on the organic gunk inside your drains.

Correctly identifying your pest helps you choose the most effective DIY solution, so you don’t waste time or effort.

FAQs About Fruit Flies

1. How do I get rid of fruit flies quickly?

Use a homemade trap with apple cider vinegar and dish soap to lure and drown them. Remove ripe fruits and clean your drains.

2. How long does it take to eliminate fruit flies?

If you eliminate food sources and use traps, you can eliminate them within 3 to 5 days.

3. Why do fruit flies keep coming back?

They return if food scraps, spills, or unwashed produce are left out. Clean surfaces and dispose of overripe fruits on a daily basis.

4. Are fruit flies harmful?

While not dangerous, they can carry bacteria from one surface to another and contaminate your food.

5. Can fruit flies lay eggs in drains?

Yes. They lay eggs in the organic build-up inside drains. That’s why it’s essential to clean the drains regularly.

6. Does bleach work to get rid of fruit flies in drains?

Bleach might kill some larvae, but it doesn’t remove the gunk they feed on. A baking soda and vinegar flush is more effective.

7. Can I use essential oils to repel fruit flies?

Yes, oils like lemongrass, peppermint, and eucalyptus can repel fruit flies when diffused or sprayed near entry points.

8. What smells do fruit flies hate?

Fruit flies dislike the smell of basil, lavender, cloves, and citrus peels.

9. How long do fruit flies live?

An adult fruit fly lives about 8 to 10 days. But it can lay hundreds of eggs in that short time, so act fast!

Key Takeaways: DIY Fruit Fly Traps to Get Rid of Flies in the House

• Fruit flies are small pests attracted to ripening or fermenting fruit, sugary liquids, and organic waste, often entering homes via produce or open doors and windows.
• They reproduce rapidly, with females laying hundreds of eggs on moist surfaces like rotting fruit or inside drains, making infestations grow quickly.
• Five effective DIY traps include: apple cider vinegar with plastic wrap, vinegar and dish soap, overripe fruit with a plastic cover, paper funnel with bait, and leftover beer or wine bottles.
• Prevention measures include cleaning kitchen surfaces daily, discarding overripe produce, refrigerating ripening fruit, rinsing produce before storage, cleaning drains weekly, and using door/window screens.
• Misidentification of flies can hinder your pest control method. So, remember, fruit flies target fruit, fungus gnats live in plant soil, and drain flies breed in sink and pipe gunk.
• If infestations persist despite DIY methods, professional pest control can provide safe, eco-friendly, and long-term solutions.