DIY Fruit Fly Trap: Vinegar and Dish Soap Method
Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?
Fruit flies come from two main routes: flying in from outside and arriving on fruit you bring home.
Flying in from Outside
- Fruit flies have an extremely acute sense of smell and can detect the scent of ripe fruit from a distance.
- In summer, when windows are open for ventilation, fruit flies follow the scent in through door and window gaps.
- Fruit peels and food scraps on balconies also attract fruit flies.
- One unit with fruit flies can affect an entire building.
Arriving on Fruit
- Fruit you buy may already have fruit fly eggs on it.
- The eggs are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye.
- At room temperature, the eggs hatch into larvae.
- The larvae feed on the fruit flesh and grow into adults.
- This is why fruit flies suddenly appear a few days after bringing home fresh fruit.
What Do Fruit Flies Like?
- Overripe fruit (bananas, grapes, apples, etc.)
- Rotting fruit peels and vegetables
- Leftover drinks (juice, soda, beer)
- The smell of vinegar and alcohol
- Food debris in the kitchen sink
How to Prevent Them
- After buying fruit, inspect it. Eat ripe fruit soon or refrigerate it.
- Store any produce you cannot finish in the refrigerator.
- Use a trash can with a tight lid.
- Install window screens to reduce flies coming in from outside.