How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Fast: 5 Proven Home Methods (and How to Prevent Them for Good)
It started with one innocent smoothie the kids left in the basement and within days, my home turned into a buzzing nightmare. Fruit flies everywhere. Embarrassing for anyone, especially the owner of a pest control company!
The truth is, no one is immune to pest problems. But after 25 years protecting homes and businesses, I knew exactly how to stop the invasion. The fruit flies didn’t stand a chance.
If you’ve ever had these tiny pests appear out of nowhere, you know how quickly they can multiply and take over your kitchen, bathrooms, and even drains.
At Anderson Pest Control, we hear stories like this all the time and the good news is, you can reclaim your home quickly and safely using simple household ingredients. Here are five proven methods to eliminate fruit flies fast, plus expert prevention tips to keep them away for good.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap – The Classic Fix
Fruit flies can’t resist the scent of fermentation, and apple cider vinegar works like a magnet.
How to make it:
Pour 1 ounce of apple cider vinegar into a small bowl.
Cover it with plastic wrap or a freezer bag and secure it with a rubber band.
Poke 5–10 small holes on top — just big enough for flies to enter. Make sure you manipulate the toothpick to round out the holes to enlarge them slightly after poking the hole.
(Optional but powerful) Add a drop or two of dish soap and give it a quick swirl.
The flies will be drawn in by the scent but won’t be able to escape and you’ll start seeing results in 24 hours.
Pro Tip: Place traps near sinks, trash cans, or fruit bowls, anywhere you see the most activity.
Why Dish Soap Makes the Trap Deadly
Water has surface tension, a sort of “elastic skin” that lets fruit flies land without sinking. Dish soap breaks that tension.
When soap molecules weaken the water’s surface, flies sink instantly and can’t escape. Without soap, many flies land, feed, and fly away. With it, they’re gone for good.
In short: Soap turns your liquid bait from a landing pad into a death trap.
2. Wine, Beer, or Kombucha Trap – A Fermented Alternative
No vinegar? No problem. Any fermented beverage will do.
How to make it:
Pour a small amount of wine, beer, or kombucha into a container.
Cover with plastic wrap and poke holes again on top (see above details).
Leave it near fruit fly hotspots.
Plum wine or beer often work best because they mimic the smell of rotting fruit, a fruit fly’s favorite scent.
3. Overripe Fruit Trap – Recycling Gone Right
Got a banana or peach that’s gone soft? Perfect bait.
What to do:
Place small chunks of overripe fruit in a bowl.
Add a teaspoon of dish soap and a splash of water.
Cover and poke small holes in the plastic wrap.
The flies can’t resist the scent, but the soapy mixture ensures they can’t escape.
4. Old-fashioned milk, sugar and pepper trap
This 100-year-old recipe still works wonders today.
Recipe:
1 cup of milk
4 tablespoons of raw or brown sugar
2 tablespoons of ground black pepper
Simmer on low heat for a few minutes, pour into a shallow dish, and leave uncovered. The smell mimics fermentation and is irresistible to fruit flies, fatal on contact.
5. Sticky Honey Card Trap
When you’re out of liquid bait, go sticky. (As a beekeeper, this one’s a favorite of mine.)
How to make it:
Coat an index card…yellow works best and coat both sides with a thin layer of honey.
Punch a small hole and tie a string through it.
Hang it near fruit bowls, drains, or trash cans.
The flies land on the honey and get stuck instantly. It’s an all natural glue board. Simple, mess-free, and great for catching stragglers.
Bonus: Clean & Prevent Future Infestations
Even after trapping the adults, fruit fly eggs can remain hidden. Stop the next generation with these quick steps:
Wash your produce: Use Castile soap, baby shampoo, or Dawn Free & Clear (1 tbsp per sink of water). This removes insect eggs from fruit skins.
Clean your drains: Pour ½ cup bleach + ½ cup water into sink overflows. (For septic systems, use vinegar and baking soda instead.)
Disinfect surfaces: Wipe counters, trash cans, and floors with rubbing alcohol or disinfectant.
Store smart: Keep fruit refrigerated and take out trash frequently.
Professional-Grade Fruit Fly Traps
If your DIY efforts aren’t delivering results fast enough, Anderson Pest Control offers commercial-grade traps that outperform homemade versions.
These professional units use powerful attractants and engineered entry points to capture fruit flies in hours, not days. These traps are safe for kitchens, restaurants, and homes.
Order yours today or schedule installation for immediate relief.
When to Call a Professional
If fruit flies keep returning or spread beyond your kitchen, it’s time to call in the experts.
At Anderson Pest Control, our licensed technicians locate the source, treat problem areas, and ensure your home is pest-free and fast.
(702) 656-8898
www.controlthebugs.com
Serving Las Vegas, Henderson, and surrounding communities
Don’t let one forgotten smoothie or a few overripe bananas turn into a full-blown invasion. With Anderson Pest Control on your side, your home will be fruit-fly-free in no time.