How To Make A Homemade Fruit Fly Trap Without Apple Cider Vinegar

Are you tired of dealing with those pesky fruit flies in your kitchen? Looking for an effective solution without using apple cider vinegar? Look no further!

After our last article on how to make a homemade fruit fly spray, some readers asked me to propose a homemade fruit fly trap without Apple Cider Vinegar.

I’ve got you covered with not one, but three simple and easy-to-follow recipes using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. By using ripe fruits, alcohol, and a few other household items, you can create a DIY fruit fly trap that will lure and eliminate those annoying insects.

Say goodbye to fruit flies and keep your kitchen fly-free!

Biology and Behavior of Fruit Flies

According to the entomology department of the University of Kentucky, fruit flies are about 1/8 inch long with red eyes.

The front portion of their body is tan and the rear portion is black. They’re attracted to ripened or fermenting fruits and vegetables, and lay their eggs near the surface of fermenting foods.

The larvae feed near the surface of the fermenting mass. Fruit flies can lay about 500 eggs and complete their lifecycle in about a week. They can also breed in drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles, and trash containers where a moist film of fermenting material is present.

What attracts Fruit Flies?

Using ripe fruit or vinegar as bait is a common way to attract fruit flies. Fruit flies are drawn to the scent of ripening fruit and the acidity of vinegar. So, fruit juices, fruit scents etc can attract them.

However, it’s important to note that using fruit or vinegar alone won’t eliminate fruit flies. In fact, it may lead to further breeding.

To effectively attract and kill fruit flies, a homemade trap can be made using balsamic or apple cider vinegar mixed with alcohol. In our case we won’t use apple cider vinegar or vinegar at all. Rather we’ll be using, wine, ripe fruits and banana peels.

The alcohol in the mixture is what kills the fruit flies.

Homemade Fruit Fly Trap Without Apple Cider Vinegar

Looking for a homemade fruit fly trap that doesn’t use apple cider vinegar?

Try the banana peel fruit fly trap, which utilizes the natural sweetness of ripe bananas to attract fruit flies.

Another option is the red wine fruit fly trap, where the fermented scent of red wine lures the pests.

Lastly, you can create a cone and overripe fruit fruit fly trap, by placing overripe fruit in a jar and covering it with a cone made from paper.

Banana Peel Fruit Fly Trap

To make a banana peel fruit fly trap without apple cider vinegar, you’ll need a few items.

Ingredients

1. Ripe banana peel
2. Plastic wrap or a plastic bag
3. Rubber band
4. Toothpick or fork

Instructions

1. Take a ripe banana and eat the fruit, but leave the peel intact.
2. Place the banana peel in a small jar or a cup with a narrow opening.
3. Wrap plastic wrap or a plastic bag tightly around the top of the container, securing it with a rubber band.
4. Use a toothpick or fork to poke several small holes in the plastic wrap, creating openings for the fruit flies to enter.
5. Leave the trap in an area where you’ve seen fruit flies. They will be attracted to the banana peel and will enter through the holes but won’t be able to escape.

Red Wine Fruit Fly Trap

To make a homemade fruit fly trap without apple cider vinegar, you can use red wine as the bait. Red wine has a strong aroma that can attract fruit flies effectively.

Ingredients

1. Red wine (about 1/4 cup)
2. Dish soap (a few drops) or alcohol.
3. Plastic wrap
4. A small bowl or glass

Instructions

1. Pour about 1/4 cup of red wine into a small bowl or glass.
2. Add a few drops of dish soap to the wine and gently stir to combine. The soap will break the surface tension of the wine, making it easier for the fruit flies to drown.
3. Cover the bowl or glass with plastic wrap, ensuring it’s tightly sealed.
4. Use a toothpick or a fork to poke small holes in the plastic wrap to allow the fruit flies to enter.
5. Place the trap in an area where fruit flies are a problem. They will be attracted to the scent of the wine, enter through the holes, and get trapped.

Cone and Overripe Fruit Fruit Fly Trap

To make a Cone and Overripe Fruit Fruit Fly Trap without apple cider vinegar, begin by gathering the necessary materials

Ingredients

1. A sheet of notebook paper
2. A glass jar with a lid
3. Banana Peel

Instructions

• Start by taking a sheet of notebook paper and rolling it into a funnel shape. The narrow end of the funnel should have a small opening, while the wider end should be large enough to fit comfortably inside the mouth of the glass jar. Secure the funnel shape with tape, ensuring it holds its form.
• Remove the lid from the glass jar.
• Add a banana peel into the bottom of the jar. Banana peel is a strong attractant for fruit flies due to its fruity aroma.
• Place the paper funnel into the mouth of the jar, ensuring a snug fit. The narrow end of the funnel should be just above the cider vinegar, but not touching it.
• Position the jar trap(s) in areas where fruit flies are frequently seen, such as near fruit bowls or garbage bins.
• Leave the trap undisturbed for a while. Fruit flies will be lured by the scent of the cider vinegar and will enter the funnel to reach it. Once inside the jar, they will have difficulty finding their way out and become trapped.
• Check the trap regularly, and when it has captured fruit flies, either release them outdoors or dispose of them as you see fit.
• This simple but effective trap offers an eco-friendly and efficient way to deal with fruit flies without the use of harmful chemicals. It capitalizes on the flies’ attraction to cider vinegar and their difficulty in escaping the jar once they enter through the funnel.

Ready Made Fruit Fly Traps

If you are bored to make your own fruit fly traps, getting ready made fruit fly traps are convenient options for eliminating fruit flies in your home. Some popular choices include:

• Landisun Fruit Fly Sticky Traps
• Safer Home SH502 Indoor Plug-In Fly Trap
• TERRO T2502 Ready-to-Use Indoor Fruit Fly Trap
• Blue Light Fruit Fly Trap for Indoors

These traps are designed to attract and capture fruit flies effectively, providing a hassle-free solution to your fruit fly problem. Here’s a short review for each ready-made fruit fly trap.

1. Landisun Fruit Fly Sticky Traps

Try using Landisun Fruit Fly Sticky Traps to effectively catch and control fruit flies and fungus gnats. These traps are specifically designed to target flying plant pests and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

They work great for potted plants and are safe and non-toxic. The traps are easy to use and peel, and their strong adhesive ensures a long-lasting effectiveness. Additionally, they’re UV resistant and waterproof, making them suitable for various environments.

PROS

CONS

Overall, Landisun Fruit Fly Sticky Traps have received positive feedback for their effectiveness in catching fruit flies and fungus gnats. They’re a convenient and reliable solution for controlling these pesky pests.

2. Safer Home SH502 Indoor Plug-In Fly Trap

You can easily catch and eliminate flies, fruit flies, moths, gnats, and other flying insects in your home with the Safer Home SH502 Indoor Plug-In Fly Trap.

This device works fast to attract, trap, and kill these pesky insects, providing you with a more comfortable living environment. The trap utilizes a UV LED light that naturally attracts flying insects, effectively protecting large rooms of up to 400 square feet.

Its discreet design hides the trapped insects on the back of the glue card, ensuring a clean and tidy appearance. The trap is easy to use and reusable, simply insert a glue card and plug it in. It rotates to fit any indoor outlet, making it convenient to place in different areas of your home.

PROS

CONS

3. TERRO T2502 Ready-to-Use Indoor Fruit Fly Trap

Don’t miss out on the effectiveness of the TERRO T2502 Indoor Fruit Fly Trap – it’s ready to use and eliminates fruit fly infestations. This fast-acting trap is designed to dramatically decrease fruit fly populations within a few days. The long-lasting lure attracts adult fruit flies, providing up to 90 days of protection.

The discreet apple-shaped trap blends in with your kitchen decor and includes a built-in window to monitor catches and lure levels.

To maximize effectiveness, place the trap near fruit fly breeding areas such as fruit bowls, trash cans, kitchen counters, sinks, and areas where fruit is stored. The TERRO T2502 works best when placed in close proximity to these breeding sites. It effectively monitors and catches fruit flies, helping you control and eliminate infestations.

PROS

CONS

4. Blue Light Fruit Fly Trap for Indoors

If you’re looking for a ready-made fruit fly trap for indoors, this Blue Light Fruit Fly Trap offers a powerful solution with its dual circles of blue light and 2 glue boards. This trap is designed to effectively capture and eliminate fruit flies in your home, particularly in the kitchen area.

The dual circles of blue light attract the flies, while the glue boards trap them, preventing them from escaping. With its adjustable 3-mode control, you can choose between mute mode, standard mode, or powerful mode depending on the severity of the infestation.

The trap is safe for your family and operates quietly, making it suitable for use in any room. Its compact dimensions and lightweight design make it easy to place and move around as needed.

PROS

CONS

How To Dispose Dead Fruit Flies?

The easy part is the disposal of the dead fruit flies.

Dispose of the dead fruit flies by throwing them – along with the trap – in the dustbin, or flush them down the sink if you want to reuse the trap.

When throwing them in the dustbin, make sure to seal the garbage bag tightly to prevent any escape or further contamination.

If you prefer to reuse the trap, flushing the dead fruit flies down the sink is a suitable option. This method allows you to remove the flies from the trap without causing any damage or mess.

Remember to run the water to ensure that the flies are completely flushed away.

Final Take

You should definitely try making the homemade fruit fly trap using balsamic or apple cider vinegar mixed with alcohol for the most effective results.

Fruit flies can be a nuisance in your home, but these simple traps can help eliminate them. It doesn’t matter how they die, whether by drinking the mixture or drowning in it, as long as it gets the job done.

If you found this article usefull, feel free to share it with your friends and family. They’re sure gonna find it usefull.

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