hey, guys! i have a very special guest today: momma b!
i recently saw a contraption on her countertop and wondered what it was. turns out, she had built a trap for catching all those pesky fruit flies in her kitchen! i asked her to type up a tutorial to share with the class. here she is!
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Every summer we are invested with those pesky little fruit flies (sometimes known as gnats). I learned about a nifty trap from my daughter Suni and decided I’d better get one built before the flies took over my kitchen!!
Supplies needed:
- Quart jar (in this photo I have used a pint) that would work if you don’t have the larger jar
- Piece of paper
- Tape
- Sugar
- Vinegar
- Water
- Piece or pieces of fruit
Directions:
Roll the paper to make a cone with a small point at the bottom – tape it to stay.
Pour the following into the jar:
- Sugar
- Vinegar
- Water
Next, place the fruit in.
Then place the cone in the jar – the tip shouldn’t hit the liquid or fruit.
Place it in your kitchen or where ever those little pests are flying.
The theory is that they will smell the wonderful concoction, fly into the jar through the small hole, then they are too stupid to find their way out!
When it gets too gross you can throw it all out and start a new one or just set it outside on your patio table like I did and procrastinate!!
Happy fruit fly trapping!
Q~
do you have any cool homemade contraptions or remedies to share?
xo. momma b.
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Genius! My mom was just talking about needing something like this!
I love it! Fruit flies drive me crazy–and they always just randomly appear and disappear. This is great. Thanks!
This a godsend, my cubicle mates have plants and there are so may annoying fruit fLies everywhere!!
AHHH this is sooooo useful! Fruit Flies are invading my kitchen as we speak. Momma B is so helpful! :) Thanks so much for the tips.
haha love this, need to try it as I hate fruit flies
I’m so glad this is helpful to some of you!! If you don’t want to use the vinegar the sugar water and fruit will work fine – sometimes the vinegar smell may get a little strong!
Enjoy your contractions!!
xoxo
Who couldn’t use this at some point? Thanks for sharing- thanks Momma B!
I’ll tell you something even easier! Just straight up apple cider vinegar works just as well (if not better!) No need to waste a beautifully tasty banana! :-)
I had read somewhere about setting out a small bowl of vinegar and dish soap and it didn’t really work. This seems much better. Thanks for sharing with the class!
Nifty idea Momma B. Thanks for sharing!
Perfect timing! I read this after squishing at least 20 of them and getting frustrated that they just keep appearing! My trap is already working:)
I do something very similar (blend of vinegar/sugar/banana) but I also add some liquid dish soap (sticks to their wings so they can’t fly). Once the concoction is in the jar, cover it tightly with some plastic wrap and swirl it around until the soap bubbles. Then, using a small toothpick, poke small holes in the plastic wrap. The flies will find their way in but cannot find their way out. =)
That’s pretty brilliant! I still have a couple of the little buggers flying around my kitchen, so I should really make one of these.
Ahhhh! You have just saved my life!!! (Just kidding, but I’m totally going to try this. Thanks for the tip!)
I haven’t had those annoying pests this year, but I usually do. What a creative homemade solution – I’ll save this one for later! :)
This is brilliant for sure! Thank U momma B!
you can also just fill a small jar or container with some apple cider or red wine vinegar. cover the top tightly with saran wrap and poke some holes in the top :)
So happy you just posted this. I work for the nutrition department at a school district and our central kitchen has been having a major fruit fly problem. I am going to pass this information along! Seriously could not be any better timing. Thanks Momma B!
I use a glass with a table spoon of sugar and vinegar, a squirt of dish soap and then fill the glass up to the brim with water. They come in for a snack/ drink and the soap makes it so they can’t fly any more and drown. I like these simple tricks that don’t involve chemicals.
i love a momma b guest post! here’s how i make my fruit fly trap – i poke holes in the top of the jar;
http://theactorsdiet.com/2012/06/26/flying-fruit/