Pour about 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar into the bowl or jar. Flies are attracted to the smell of vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, which mimics the scent of fermenting fruit.
Add a Sweet Bait (Optional):
For even more attraction, add a small piece of ripe fruit to the vinegar. Fruit flies and common houseflies are drawn to the scent of overripe or fermenting fruits.
Add Dish Soap:
Add a few drops of dish soap to the vinegar. The dish soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid, causing flies to sink and drown when they land on the surface.
Cover the Trap (Optional):
If you prefer, you can cover the bowl or jar with plastic wrap or a piece of paper with small holes poked in it. This allows the flies to enter but makes it harder for them to escape. However, this step is optional; the trap works effectively without it as well.
Place the Trap:
Place the trap in an area where flies are most active, such as near fruit bowls, garbage cans, or kitchen counters. You may want to set up multiple traps in different locations to increase effectiveness.
Wait and Observe:
Flies will be attracted to the scent of the vinegar and fruit, and they’ll fly to the trap. Once they land on the liquid surface, the dish soap will prevent them from flying away, causing them to drown quickly.
Dispose and Replace:
After a day or two, or when the trap is full of flies, dispose of the contents and clean the bowl or jar. Refill with fresh vinegar, soap, and fruit if needed, and set the trap again.
