How To Make A DIY Fruit Fly Trap

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In the grand scheme of the ecosystem, it's clear that flies are important as scavengers that clean the world of dead organic matter. Beyond that, fruit flies could even cure chronic pain someday. There's no denying, though, that fruit flies are relentless and annoying when they're flying around your house and in your face. Luckily, there's a DIY trap you can make in a mason jar to take care of these insects easily.

This mason jar trap is one of the simplest (and best) methods for getting rid of fruit flies because it can attract, trap, and kill them in one swoop. All you need is a Ball mason jar (or something similar), a nail and hammer, apple cider vinegar, and dish soap. You'll need the nail and hammer to create small holes in the lid, which will allow the fruit flies inside. After making about six holes, pour in ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar before adding a few drops of dish soap. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar because it smells like fermenting fruit. Then, the soap will keep the flies from getting out once they reach the mixture inside the jar, resulting in them drowning.

The hardest part of this project is puncturing the holes in the lid of the mason jar. If you don't feel comfortable using a hammer and nail to create the holes, you could replace the center metal of the lid with a layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. After securing the plastic wrap with the band of the lid, use a toothpick to puncture holes in it. You could also use a rubber band to fasten the plastic wrap onto the mason jar. On the other hand, some people skip covering the jar altogether and still have success getting rid of fruit flies because the soap traps and drowns them.

While the apple cider vinegar and liquid soap work well together, the soap is optional. If you don't use the soap, consider taking an extra step to prevent the flies from getting out of the trap. This involves securing a piece of foil or plastic over the top of the original or makeshift lid. Then, poke holes in the top liner that don't line up with the holes underneath so that the flies can still get in but have trouble getting out and eventually die.

Making a fruit fly trap out of a mason jar is easy, but it would be even better if you didn't have to make it. Fortunately, it's possible to prevent these tiny insects from becoming a household nuisance, and it starts with removing their sources of food. Alongside liquids from fermenting fruits and vegetables, these flies are attracted to beer, kombucha, soda, and wine, as well as garbage and wet places. And, it doesn't take much either; even the tiniest bit of residual soda in a bottle or can at the bottom of your trash can give them cause to enter and breed.

Keeping your home dry and free of fruit fly breeding and dining grounds — including the garbage disposal, sink drains, and wet kitchen rags — is just the first step. Since rotting fruits and vegetables are irresistible to fruit flies, carefully choose produce that isn't too ripe when you buy it. Also, wash and cut the produce as soon as you get home because it may carry fruit fly eggs. Then, store it in the refrigerator because cold fruits and vegetables are less appealing to these insects. If you brought the produce home in a cardboard box, recycle it as soon as possible in case there were any flies breeding in it.