Homemade Fruit Fly Trap (in Minutes)

Have you ever noticed the teeny tiny bugs that seem to gather every time you have fresh produce in your home for more than a day or two? They seem to come out even faster in the summer months. They’re called fruit flies: tiny, relentless, and incredibly annoying. I learned how to easily get rid of them with a homemade fruit fly trap — and now I’m going to show you how! Restore some sanity to your kitchen with this easy DIY fruit fly trap.

Why this Homemade Fruit Fly Trap Rawks

Let’s face it, fruit flies are the worst. They show up uninvited, multiply fast, and love hanging around your ripe bananas and compost bin. Store-bought traps? Overpriced and often packed with chemicals. This DIY fruit fly trap? Cheap, natural, and actually works. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Apple cider vinegar a proven attractant: Studies show that fruit flies are highly attracted to the acetic acid in fermented foods. Its sweet, sour aroma mimics rotting fruit, drawing flies in with precision.
• Honey boosts effectiveness: Raw honey adds extra sweetness and stickiness that enhances the vinegar’s appeal.
• Dish soap disrupts surface tension: A few drops of dish soap break the surface tension of the vinegar, causing flies to sink and preventing escape. It is commonly used in insect behavioral research, and it works incredibly well.
• Non-toxic and safe for kids & pets: Unlike chemical sprays or commercial traps with questionable ingredients, this apple cider fly trap is made with food-safe, non-toxic components. 
• Budget-friendly & eco-conscious: This natural fruit fly trap uses pantry staples, reduces waste, and costs just pennies to make. Good for your home, your wallet, and the planet.

Materials You’ll Need

With just a few pantry staples and household tools, you can create a natural apple cider vinegar fruit fly trap that lures in and eliminates fruit flies fast. Each ingredient and material plays a key role in making it work. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Canning jar (pint-sized, with tight-fitting lid): A sturdy glass jar like a mason jar holds everything securely while allowing fruit flies to enter. You can find these at most big-box retailers or in the canning section of your local grocery store. 
• Metal skewer or small nail: These are common household items used to poke holes in the jar lid. You can find them at your local hardware store, or simply use a nail or skewer you already have at home.
• Raw apple cider vinegar: Look for organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, ideally with the “mother” (that cloudy, stringy substance). It has a stronger scent and natural fermentation compounds that make it more effective at attracting fruit flies than filtered versions.
• Raw honey: Raw honey adds sweetness to the mixture and helps trap the flies. It’s available at most grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
• Dish soap: Regular dish soap is all you need. You can find it at grocery stores, big-box retailers, or online. For an eco-friendly option, choose biodegradable soap brands.

How to Make a DIY Fruit Fly Trap

One of the best things about this DIY fruit fly trap? You don’t need any fancy materials, just a jar with a lid, a nail, and a few common kitchen ingredients. Here’s exactly how to make it:

1. Choose a small Mason jar and poke holes in the lid using a hammer and a small nail.
2. Add apple cider vinegar into the jar.

3. Pour the honey into the apple cider vinegar and stir gently to combine.
4. Add a drop or two of dish soap in the mixture.

5. Place the lid with small holes on top of the jar and screw it on tightly.
6. Set the trap near areas where fruit flies are active and observe the mixture.

Homemade Alternatives

One of the best things about a vinegar fly trap? It’s incredibly flexible. Whether you’re missing a key ingredient or want to experiment with what you have on hand, these easy swaps and creative add-ins can help you catch more flies with less hassle:

• Wine trap: Swap apple cider vinegar for red wine or leftover rosé to attract flies with a deeper, fermented aroma they can’t resist.
• Fruit bowl lure: No vinegar? Use overripe bananas, peaches, or berries as bait, the sweet, fermenting scent is just as effective for drawing in fruit flies.
• Beer bait: Flat beer works too. Its strong, yeasty aroma draws in fruit flies just as well.
• Cling wrap funnel: Cover your trap with plastic wrap and poke small holes to funnel flies in and make it harder for them to escape. No wrap? Use a paper cone instead.

More Natural Remedies

I love using simple, effective natural products in my daily routine, and I make sure they’re easy to whip up at home. Here are a few go-to recipes I rely on regularly:

• I use my Homemade Deodorant Recipe to stay fresh naturally without harsh chemicals.
• For smooth, hydrated lips, I turn to this quick DIY Lip Scrub, made with easy ingredients right from my kitchen.
• When I want a clean, non-toxic smile, I brush with my Homemade Toothpaste that supports oral health.
• As a cold-season staple, I always keep a batch of Elderberry Syrup on hand to support immune health.
• When I feel a chill or need a natural boost, my spicy Homemade Fire Cider is my go-to tonic.

If you make this homemade fruit fly trap, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.