Fruit flies are tiny brown insects that can appear throughout the year, though they are most common during warmer months. They are attracted to ripening fruit, which matures faster in hot weather, as well as drains, rubbish bins, and food storage cupboards. These pests can lay up to 500 eggs on a fruit's surface and have a lifecycle of 40 to 50 days, making them persistent.
While not dangerous, fruit flies can become increasingly irritating. After struggling with them in my kitchen, I tried a method that eliminated them in just one day. The first step is identifying and removing the food source, but GoodFood recommends creating a homemade trap as the "most effective" way to capture lingering pests.
To make the trap, you need a bowl, apple cider vinegar, a drop of washing-up liquid, clingfilm, and a toothpick or scissors. The experts explain: "The bait needs to be enticingly pungent enough to lure the fruit flies into the trap. Apple cider vinegar is the most reliably effective bait, but alternatives include wine, orange juice, banana peels, and honey."
I poured a small amount of vinegar into a bowl, added some washing-up liquid and a little water, and mixed thoroughly. The detergent reduces surface tension, causing flies to drown more easily, and coats them in a thin layer that makes escape difficult. I then stretched clingfilm tightly over the bowl and pierced several small holes with scissors.
It took a few hours for the first fruit flies to appear, though the experts note it can work in minutes. This method was remarkably successful, and my kitchen has been fruit fly-free ever since. The entire trap cost under 5p, as I already had apple cider vinegar in my cupboard.
