Apple Cider Vinegar Fly Trap
Apple cider vinegar is the fruit fly trap hack you hear about most often (because it works!). For this DIY trap, begin by adding ½ cup of apple cider vinegar ($3, Target) to a glass jar. Add 2-3 drops of dish soap to the apple cider vinegar in the jar and swirl to mix. Cover the mouth of the jar with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Use a pencil to poke a hole in the plastic wrap. The hole releases the odor of the mixture and gives the fruit flies an opening to fly into the jar, but the dish soap will trap the fruit flies as soon as they touch the liquid. Place your homemade fruit fly trap near your fruit bowl or trash can. Dump out the mixture and refill every week or as needed until no more flies appear.
Fruit Fly Spray
A simple spray bottle ($3, Target) and a few easy ingredients are all you need for this fruit fly project. To start, add 2 ounces of hot water to a small spray bottle. While the water is still hot, add 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil to the spray bottle. Spray this water and lemongrass oil mixture on fruit flies as you see them (look around windowsills or on kitchen counters). Don’t spray this mixture directly onto fruit or other food, because the essential oil may not be safe for consumption.
Red Wine Fruit Fly Trap
Have a bottle of red wine in the kitchen that’s been open too long? Instead of throwing it out, use it to get rid of fruit flies quickly. For this project, add 1 cup of red wine to a shallow bowl. Place plastic wrap over the opening of the bowl and secure with a rubber band. Use a pencil to poke a small hole in the plastic wrap. Place the trap near the problem area to attract and trap fruit flies.
