How to Make a Fruit Fly Trap

Ahhh! It's summer and those awful fruit flies have invaded! Quick, make a fruit fly trap!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a clear plastic jar, bottle or cup
• tape
• scissors
• paper
• pen or pencil
• ripe piece of fruit

1. 

   Trace around the opening of your container on your paper. Cut 1 inch around the traced circle. Then cut a slit to the center of the circle (see picture).

2. 

   Overlap edges of the slit to make the circle into a cone. Tape the seams shut. Place onto the opening of your container and fold excess paper down over the opening. The the excess that is folded over the outside should be about 1/4 inch.

3. 

   Take cone off container and cut a tiny hole in the tip of the cone just big enough for the fruit flies to pass through.

4. 

   Place your chunk of fruit in the container. Replace the cone on the container pointing downward. Tape the paper to the container making sure to seal it really well all the way around the container so that flies can't escape out the sides. Your trap is ready. Set it where the flies congregate the most.

Tips & Warnings

• The downward angle of the cone needs to be steep enough that the flies can't just crawl back out, but not so steep that they can't easily crawl through the hole.
• To dispose: either freeze it and throw it in the garbage or just take it out to the the curbside garbage can (as long as the garbage can is not in an enclosed area just in case the paper rips and the flies get out).
• The flies will begin breeding inside the jar-it gets pretty gross. Get rid of the old trap and make a new one if needed.

[pbeargirl]

on 12/27/2008 I stole this idea but I'm lazy so I use an envelope from the recycling bin and rip it in half and cut a little hole in the corner of the larger half, then massage the open part over the rim of the jar. I secure it with a rubber band around the outside edge so I can reuse the paper for awhile. It does get gross, though, so you have to replace every now and then. I also splash a little apple cider vinegar in the jar with the fruit or peel. Great idea; thank you!

[almommabear]

on 11/19/2008 Wow! I never thought of something like that! I will have to use it next summer! Thank you-5*s

[StreetBloggers]

on 11/18/2008 I needed this one, in my part of the country fruit flies and house flies are bad even this time of year.

thanks

[lynnhsmomof2]

on 11/18/2008 Wow! We really need this one! The pesty little buggers have been bugging use for quite awhile! Thanks!!!! 5* and added to my favorites!

[ccarruthers]

on 11/10/2008 This is really great! 5 stars!