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You are here: Home / Tips & Tricks / Cleaning Tips / Fruit Fly Trap

09/25/2009 · 126 Comments

Fruit Fly Trap

Cleaning Tips· Organization Tips


It has been a crazy week around here with three afternoons spent canning and making freezer jam so the craftiness and cleanliness at our house has been suffering! So I am catching up on that this weekend. But I did find a clever and efficient way to get rid of all the pesky fruit flies that have been swarming my kitchen due to the large quantities of produce it has processed.

I remember hearing somewhere, long ago, that placing a funnel with a tiny opening into a jar containing a cut piece of fruit would make a good Fruit Fly trap. And guess what? It really works! They were all trapped within about 12 hours! I used tape and sealed the edges when I discovered some of those sneaky flies were escaping and that worked like a charm. Then when all the flies were trapped, I just released them back into the great outdoors.

Seeing all those flies in the jar brought back a lot of memories of my 8th grade science class. Remember Heidi? We had to breed them and then spent hours counting, sorting, charting and recording genetic traits! I LOVED it! Weird I know, but it is actually the first time I remember my interest in science was sparked. I was amazed that we could actually predict the type of genetic traits we would get. Anyways…I am sure none of you wanted to know all that!

This time of year seems to bring on the fruit fly infestations. Use this trick to remove them from your home and in the meantime, I will get some more ideas coming!


 

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About Amy

Amy Huntley is the owner/author of The Idea Room. A mother of five, who enjoys sharing her love of all things creative in hopes of inspiring other women and families. Never miss a creative idea that she shares by connecting with her here, or read more of her posts.

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Comments

  1. luz says

    09/25/2009 at 2:59 pm

    wow! I was trying to come up with someway to get rid of the stinky flies swarming around my fruit bowl with no luck. perfect!! thanks!

    Reply
    • hardyju says

      06/30/2012 at 8:58 pm

      If you want to kill them rather than trapping them alive try this. Put a small amount of vinegar in a bowl with a drop or two of dish soap and set it near your fruit. They fall in and die instantly!

      Reply
      • tilly says

        09/30/2012 at 12:41 pm

        no they do not – tried and did not work

        Reply
        • Danyel says

          01/22/2013 at 10:59 am

          Apple cider vinegar works best. I pour some in a bowl and add a few drops of dish soap, swirl, can cover with plastic wrap. Punch in some holes with a fork and it works wonders.

          Reply
          • Mr. Zeph says

            02/05/2013 at 9:09 pm

            Yes, this is what I do too. I take a shallow can, say, a Tuna can. I fill it with apple cider vinegar. I cover it with Saran Wrap and poke a few holes it in i with a fork. Leave it out by where they swarm the most, within 48 hours, you’ll see a sludge of bugs but none flying.

      • ginger carlisle says

        12/30/2012 at 6:10 pm

        I’ve used it & it worked for me.

        Reply
      • Savannagal says

        02/12/2013 at 11:02 am

        Did not work for me either.

        Reply
        • elizabeth says

          06/20/2013 at 9:58 am

          Try making the holes smaller/ bigger, they might not be able to get in/ or too big they get back out

          Reply
      • Diana Miller says

        09/12/2018 at 8:59 am

        That’s what I do too.

        Reply
        • The Idea Room Assistant says

          09/12/2018 at 2:23 pm

          Diana- So happy this works for you too!

          Reply
  2. Darlene says

    09/25/2009 at 3:38 pm

    Well, how clever is that!!!! Great idea!

    Reply
  3. Darin, Jenn and Ivy says

    09/25/2009 at 3:41 pm

    Oh man that is the about the only thing I don't like about canning and freezing! Those little buggers had finally gone away from doing peaches and last night we got a bunch of corn to freeze and they are back! GRrrr. Now I know what to do next time. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Lo says

    09/25/2009 at 3:46 pm

    I Love you for posting that!! We keep our kitchen compost in a tub on the counter until it is time to put into the composter so every time we open it fruit flies fly out. they are everywhere!! Im going to do this today. Do you mind if I link this post on my blog?

    Reply
    • Maria says

      11/22/2013 at 10:45 am

      Lo, I started keeping my compost container in the fridge. IT made a WORLD of difference and I was kicking myself for not thinking of it before! Love the idea in this blog post though, too…..

      Reply
  5. Jenna says

    09/25/2009 at 3:56 pm

    Thank you!! Fruit flies drive me crazy! Now I know how to get rid of them…This is wonderful. :)

    Reply
  6. southerninspiration says

    09/25/2009 at 3:56 pm

    oh good one….i've used apple cider vinegar in a bottle before but your trick looks like it would work better!!!

    Suzanne

    Reply
  7. Room to Inspire says

    09/25/2009 at 4:02 pm

    Very clever! I can never seem to get rid of these guys once they appear – thanks for sharing.

    Chelsea

    Reply
  8. Ashley says

    09/25/2009 at 4:16 pm

    Awesome!! I just had this problem two weeks ago!! Wish I'd known this then! Thanks for sharing it, I'm bookmarking it for future reference!!

    Reply
  9. Jenn says

    09/25/2009 at 4:48 pm

    I only had the red-eyed kind this year. Did you have any green-eyed buggers? Genetics–I think I missed my calling.

    Reply
  10. TreasureHunter says

    09/25/2009 at 4:51 pm

    That is an awesome idea!! I could have used that a month ago when we were overwhelmed with them. I tried everything from Vinegar and sugar to just plain bug spray and they would not go away.

    Reply
  11. squibsandcrackers says

    09/25/2009 at 5:14 pm

    Thank you! The fruit flies have been making me nuts!

    Reply
  12. TidyMom says

    09/25/2009 at 5:26 pm

    oh I'm am going to have to try this! we've had enough of those pesky things around here lately!! (any my hubby is an exterminator! LOL)

    ~TidyMom

    Reply
  13. Karina says

    09/25/2009 at 5:40 pm

    That is so cool. Got to try it. Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Isabel says

    09/25/2009 at 6:00 pm

    a silly question, do you block the hole after they are inside? if not, why don't they just leave? :-S (a part from that great idea .. have you got something for mosquitos? ;P)

    Reply
    • Kinny Fear says

      10/03/2012 at 6:46 pm

      Because they’re stupid.

      Reply
  15. L says

    09/25/2009 at 6:24 pm

    super cool Idea love it hate those pesky little fly's, L

    Reply
  16. Ruby says

    09/25/2009 at 6:30 pm

    Love love love this! I am going to try this. I've been "peaching" all week. My house could use some fly traps :)

    Reply
  17. **Amy** says

    09/25/2009 at 6:34 pm

    Isabel–You do not need to block the hole. I am GUESSING that the flies can smell (do they smell??) or sense that the fruit is near by and the scent leads them down the tube to the hole. Once they enter, since the smell is so strong on the inside, they can not find their way out back through the hole. That is just a guess…sounds pretty good though, huh?

    Reply
  18. Kristine says

    09/25/2009 at 7:17 pm

    Here is another related idea: Put a small piece of fruit (such as the peel) in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and poke a hole in the middle with your finger. Once again, the flies enter through the hole but rarely get back out. Then take the bowl outside and remove the plastic wrap. I've even set the bowl in a cupboard (especially if I have company arrive) and the fruit flies are still attracted to it. Thanks for sharing, Amy.

    Reply
    • Ellie says

      09/01/2011 at 12:48 pm

      I have also found this banana in a bowl covered with plastic wrap works. But I poke small holes with a fork. Add red wine to the bowl and it’s a real magnet. The little nasties are too dumb to find their way out of the small holes they go in through. And they usually drown in the wine. Important to throw the dregs outside when done though – I think the plant their eggs on the bananas is the last days of their life and if you throw those in your indoor compost you will just get the newly hatched ones in a few days.

      Reply
  19. Tasha says

    09/25/2009 at 8:01 pm

    YOu are one amazing Lady? You just have more ideas then I know what to do with. I love it. LOVE IT. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  20. Melissa says

    09/25/2009 at 9:54 pm

    This is a great instant trap. I find red wine in a scoopy necked bottle is good for over time. I will definitely remember the banana trick.

    Reply
  21. Lisa says

    09/25/2009 at 11:27 pm

    Great idea. I know you can also use sugar water in a bottle. They can't fly straight up for some reason. Well that's what i once read anyway. :)Lisa

    Reply
  22. Al, Wendy, Max, and Lil says

    09/25/2009 at 11:30 pm

    ok this IS the MOST useful thing I have seen posted on any website ever anywhere at anytime. Thank YOU!

    Reply
  23. Kristy says

    09/26/2009 at 12:27 am

    Where do you come up with all of these amazing ideas? Love it, and Hate fruit flies, fantastic idea.

    Reply
  24. Arianne says

    09/26/2009 at 2:28 am

    Bless your heart! This is exactly what we need after our canning, too. Thank you.

    Reply
  25. Nic and Shannon Rich says

    09/26/2009 at 3:45 am

    Awesome I think I will get on that right now I just finished the peaches but still have apples so this will come in very handy thank you!!!

    Reply
  26. Our Family says

    09/26/2009 at 4:16 am

    THANK YOU! (Robynn would be so proud of you releasing them outdoors) I don't think i'll be that kind to the ones I trap from my house. I am going to set that up tomorrow.

    Reply
  27. Greg and Carlin says

    09/26/2009 at 5:21 pm

    Only you could make a picture of fruit flies look so good!

    Reply
  28. MrsMama says

    09/26/2009 at 9:19 pm

    Amy, this was incredibly timely for me – thank you! The only thing we did differently was to stretch a piece of plastic wrap across the top, poked a small hole in it and put the funnel into that. It seemed to seal everything up nicely.

    It worked wonderfully too. Thanks again.

    Reply
  29. Kari @ Ucreate says

    09/26/2009 at 9:44 pm

    SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOL!

    Reply
  30. natalie says

    09/26/2009 at 10:05 pm

    my husband has been trying various forms of fruit fly traps (which have been WAY more elaborate than necessary) and it's been driving me crazy. I waltzed into the kitchen, set up your trap and it was like magic. thanks!

    Reply
  31. Just Jenny says

    09/26/2009 at 10:30 pm

    This is exactlyl what I have been looking for! Finally something that will work!
    Thanks!

    Reply
  32. Magnolia Mom says

    09/27/2009 at 1:10 am

    I am so glad you posted this! I'm so sick of the fruit flies. Thanx

    Reply
  33. Ruth Allmart says

    09/27/2009 at 1:24 am

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is perfect, just what I needed. I will put this into action tomorrow :)

    Reply
  34. TRICIA @boutellefamilyzoo says

    09/27/2009 at 2:55 pm

    I just came across your blog and I have been losing a great deal of time in your archives. Great stuff! Your blog is wonderful!

    XO*Tricia

    P.S. Another fruit fly trap idea, which is very similar is to put a piece of fruit in the bottom of a soda can. Then you cover it tightly with plastic wrap, tape all around to seal, poke 2 or 3 varying sized holes in the top and then watch in morbid fascination as it fills up.

    Reply
  35. The Busy Blaine's says

    09/28/2009 at 1:57 am

    Another trick is to fill a small container with about a 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and add a couple drops of dish detergent in the vinegar. The flies are attracted to the vinegar but once they land in it they can't get out because of the detergent. Not the nicest things to do to them but you will be amazed at just how many you actually have. I will put one in my kitchen and one in my pantry. IT WORKS!!!

    Reply
  36. **Amy** says

    09/28/2009 at 5:04 am

    Too funny! Who knew we were all desperately trying to find a way to rid our homes of these pesky guys! I love all the other suggestions some of you came up with as well. I am going to have to give the plastic wrap a try. It sounds a bit easier than taping the funnel as I did! Be careful…with our new skills, we could effectively put these guys on the endangered species list :)!

    Reply
  37. Amanda says

    09/28/2009 at 8:31 pm

    I love this! I have been bottling tomatoes, pears, and applesauce this week. Needless to say our house was swarming with fruit flies. I was so excited to open your post and find this brilliant idea!

    IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM!!!!

    THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

    I'm your new biggest fan. So glad I found your blog!

    Reply
  38. Visty says

    09/30/2009 at 3:33 pm

    I just made one, because they are driving me batty! I used aluminum foil over the top, made a tiny hole, then pushed the paper through it.

    Reply
  39. The Hershey Bryces says

    10/01/2009 at 12:56 pm

    Thank You!!! I so needed this!!!!

    Reply
  40. Stacey in Texas says

    10/01/2009 at 2:38 pm

    Thank You!! I work in a school office where there is always food brought in which means we suffer with fruit flies … I'm so excited about trying this :)

    Reply
  41. Nielsen Family says

    10/13/2009 at 8:25 pm

    Love your blog!
    I am in a Drosophila melanogaster genetics lab right now…that's the scientific name for these guys :). They are always escaping their vials and I just mentioned how they were driving me batty. I am going to set this up in our lab this week!
    Looks like you have a jar of wild type guys in there…oh man, now I for sure know that nothing that I learn in that class applies to the outside world, it just sounds funny outside a lab!
    Thanks!

    Reply
  42. Anonymous says

    10/19/2009 at 5:04 am

    Hi Amy,
    I have to laugh thru scientific trial and error, I found this trap idea with a funnel, and how well it worked…..then I finally saw the funnel version on the internet! HA! Great mind abounds everywhere. Now I am researching an idea that I may share later. But for now I have to go count my flies. Ciao, Robert B.

    Reply
  43. R. Weeks says

    01/15/2010 at 4:56 am

    Camille Im with you and the Catch and Release! Just a few drops of rubbing alcohol in the jar and cover the small hole to keep the fumes in the jar and Nighty Night! Sorry Robin…

    Reply
  44. Kerry_Kid Giddy says

    01/22/2010 at 5:23 pm

    Now I won't dread the warmer months here in Maine! Now can you make a mosquito trap too?!

    Thanks! Kerry

    Reply
  45. Sandye says

    03/02/2010 at 11:49 pm

    Bless you! Every Spring and Summer we battle them and it drives us bonkers! Last year I resorted to spending and entire day armed with my vacuum cleaner hose out and at the ready! LOL This year, I'll be giving this a go instead.
    Thank you so much!!

    Reply
  46. Kelley says

    03/22/2010 at 10:44 pm

    thank you! I got a few of the buggers and have been trying to figure out how to get rid of them.

    Reply
  47. buy viagra says

    05/20/2010 at 3:46 pm

    that trap more clever, I liked it, I think I will use for cooking.

    Reply
  48. Allison says

    05/31/2010 at 3:49 am

    Woo hoo! Thanks again for another neat idea! I was going crazy but had remembered seeing something on your site about this and I'm on my second load of them tonight! :)

    Reply
  49. Infarrantly Creative says

    07/10/2010 at 5:46 pm

    that is a great idea. Every year I have fruit flies after canning and I think…now what is the trick to get rid of them again? Thanks…bookmarking.

    Reply
  50. Renee Bodily says

    01/06/2011 at 11:03 pm

    I tried this and it DOES work!!! Love it!

    Reply
  51. Karen @ TIme Crafted says

    07/07/2011 at 10:27 am

    I tried it and it works! Thanks for posting it. Can’t believe I didn’t know about your site sooner…I’m following now! :>

    Reply