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Fruit Fly Trap with Vinegar {Gnat Trap}

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Tis the season, no, not that season — fruit fly season! In this post I will show you how to make a fruit fly trap with vinegar that really works, with a few household items and in just minutes! With or without apple cider vinegar this solution easily traps those pesky gnats!

End of summer brings delicious, juicy, ripe summer fruits and veggies and with them a fruit fly family reunion! But who needs them, use this gnat trap recipe and be rid of them, easy and without any chemicals.

I love DIY’ing easy recipes that are much cheaper than store bought; you too? Try this Carrabba’s Grill Seasoning, or this healthy Lemon & Peppermint Antibacterial Hand Scrub.

Easy Effective Fruit Fly Trap with trap and peach nearby with wooden toothpicks.

Using everyday household items, you’ll learn how to make your own cheap and effective gnat trap recipe.

Equipment for a Gnat Trap Recipe

If you are like me, you enjoy keeping a few produce items un-refrigerated; tomatoes especially are so much more flavorful, juicy and did I say flavorful when they hang out on the counter.

But do you find yourself seeing itsy-bitsy black insects flying around, flies and gnats dive bombing your face? You end up looking like one of those clapping monkey’s as you try to smack the darn things; looking like a fool? Just me? 

Pouring apple cider vinegar in small glass ramekin for fruit fly trap.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies with Vinegar

This fruit fly trap is so simple, I am sure you have the ingredients at home. So how do you make a fruit fly trap with vinegar?

Simply pour apple cider vinegar or white vinegar into a ramekin, leaving about 1/2 inch at the top.

Image of ingredients for fruit fly trap.

Cover snugly with plastic wrap, pull tight, sealing tightly and taught, all the way around the ramekin. 

Pulling a piece of plastic wrap tight over the bowl of apple cider vinegar for fruit fly trap.

Using a toothpick or an ice pick, puncture holes in the top of the plastic wrap, swirling slightly to enlarge the hole a bit larger than the toothpick makes by itself. 

Poking holes using a wooden toothpick on the top of the plastic wrap for the fruit fly trap.

Set out as many gnat traps as you need, concentrating them especially near your fruit or where you have kept your fruit. 

Close up of holes poked in  top of fruit fly trap.

Pro Gnat Trap Recipe Tip

If the fruit flies (or gnats) are attracted to the trap, but not going in (walking all over the top of the plastic wrap), it typically means your holes aren’t big enough.

Without making the holes too big, use a toothpick to slighly swirl and enlarge your holes, remember you don’t want them flying back out, warning their fly friends. Make it easy for them to get in and never get out. 🙂

After a few days the vinegar loses it’s drawing power, toss out, wash the bowl and start over again. You’ll be surprised at how many you catch!

Our infestors visitors are not too prolific at the moment, but typically I’ve got 2-3 traps going and they each catch 15-20 flies a day! EW!

Fruit fly trap with a couple of flies in the trap, pinterest image.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Without Apple Cider Vinegar

I personally like using Apple Cider Vinegar for my gnat traps, however; regular white vinegar will work too!

Still want to try it? You should know quickly if it works and if it doesn’t then move on to apple cider vinegar, balsamic, red wine, anything that is naturally a bit sweeter. 

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Square image of fruit fly trap with dead fruit flies or gnats in the trap with a peach nearby.
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5 from 3 votes

Homemade Fruit Fly Trap (that really works!)

How to DIY your own Homemade Fruit Fly Trap (or gnat trap) using apple cider vinegar and a few household items.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Course: DIY
Cuisine: American
Keyword: DIY Fruit Fly Apple Cider Vinegar Trap, fruit flies, gnat trap recipe, homemade fruit fly trap, vinegar house fly trap
Yield: 1 trap
Calories: 235kcal
Author: Kathleen Pope
Cost: $3

Instructions

  • Pour vinegar into small shallow bowl or ramekin, leaving about 1/2 inch space at top.
  • Stretch a piece of plastic wrap tightly across the top, making sure there are no gaps.
  • Insert toothpick (or icepick) through plastic wrap and swirl slightly to enlarge the hole abit.
  • Set on counter and watch the fruit flies gather for a pool party.

Notes

The vinegar loses its efficacy after a few days. Simple wash out the container, and repeat the above steps.
If the flies are attracted to your trap, but aren't going it, chances are your holes are too small (or too large), increase the size of the holes. Or if too large, replace the plastic wrap and try again. Happy catching!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 344mg | Fiber: 2g
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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2 Comments

  1. Your Homemade Fruit Fly Trap is a great idea. The last part of July every year here at the lake we have to put out the little traps. I like the way you set your traps up, mine are not as pretty as yours. I also love your gift ideas! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,448 and hope you will come back soon!
    Miz Helen