Pour a small amount of apple cider vinegar into a stable jar and add a drop of dish soap to help trap adult fruit flies. Place it near the source, away from food prep surfaces, and remove overripe produce at the same time.
What you need
Use a small stable cup or jar, a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar, and one small drop of liquid dish soap. You do not need bleach or other harsh cleaners in a trap.
Set the trap safely
Add vinegar, stir in the soap gently, and place it where adults gather without risking a spill. Check and replace the liquid as needed. Keep it away from curious pets, small children and electrical appliances.
Remove the breeding source
Discard damaged produce, wash recycling containers and bottle rims, empty the compost bin regularly, and clean under appliances. A trap catches adults but cannot stop newly emerging flies if larvae remain in fermenting material.
Know when the trap will not work
Fungus gnats breeding in wet potting soil usually need watering adjustments and soil-focused control. Fuzzy drain flies may require drain-surface cleaning and a plumbing inspection. Identify the insect if the vinegar seems ineffective.
Frequently asked questions
Do fruit fly traps work overnight?
They can begin collecting adults quickly, but eliminating a household population also depends on removing breeding sources.
Can I mix the vinegar with bleach?
Never. Mixing cleaning chemicals can release harmful gases; a fruit-fly trap needs only vinegar and a drop of soap.
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