Well, it’s harvest time again, and the fruit flies are starting to find their way into the kitchen. They have also managed to find their way back into my worm bin, and I’m not totally cool with that. I don’t think Phil minds too much, but I’m not terribly fond of the little buggers. So now I guess it’s time to set up the traps again.

There are plenty of different techniques for making fruit fly traps, but this one has worked pretty well for me.

Start with a glass (or Mason jar, or any other similar sized container). The one in the picture has a nice stable bottom, which is why I like to use it. Pour a little apple cider vinegar in. I often cut it with a bit of water, but it really doesn’t matter. Optional: you can add a tiny drop of dish soap to break the surface tension. That last part is probably totally unnecessary, but hey, anything to kill the little guys sooner, right?

Next, take a sheet of paper. I usually cut an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet in half. The one in the picture came from a notepad. I don’t actually know if the paper has to be white, but I’ve never not used white (at least on the inside “funnel” part). Curl the paper and tape it into a funnel shape, leaving a small hole at the bottom. I cut the corners to round off the top the funnel — another unnecessary step, but it’s my trap, and I’ll make it how I want to make it.

Set the funnel in the top of the glass. Make sure there’s a gap between the vinegar and the bottom of the funnel. Tape the funnel to the glass to ensure there are no gaps that would let the flies escape. Usually two pieces of tape (one on either side) will do.

I made the trap in these pictures yesterday. This is the trap I keep on top of the worm bin, so yes, Phil has a lot of flies right now. But, as you can see, the trap is quite effective. The trap will last quite a while and will hold a surprising amount of flies, so I only change it out for fresh vinegar and paper when I get too grossed out by it or if the paper gets too covered in frass. I have also read that you can use other things for bait, such as wine, beer or a piece of fruit. I never liked the idea of a hunk of fruit, because it wouldn’t actually kill the flies, just trap them, and it may even allow them to breed more. And I want ’em DEAD!