DIY: How to Make Your Own Fly Trap
Like so many of us in our cramped, window-free NYC apartments, I’ve been plagued with the summer invasion of fruit flies who absolutely refuse to leave but seem to really enjoy multiplying. Awesome. While the little guys are generally harmless, they’re not the most aesthetically pleasing while hovering over a fruit bowl or toothbrush holder, and I wanted to obliterate the bugs once and for all. Without spending any money…
Though legend has it that more flies will be caught with honey than vinegar, the Internet proves the adage wrong, and cider vinegar or white vinegar with a bit of sugar seems to be the poison of choice. As an at-home salad dressing aficionado, I had both, and decided to set up fly traps in my kitchen and bathroom. (And no, I’m not planning on making fruit fly vinaigrette…)
In my efforts to spend exactly zero money on this project, I took out a recycled plastic Whole Foods Paycheck container and filled it about 3/4 of an inch with vinegar. I mixed in some sugar packets from my local coffee shop and cut a plastic shopping bag to fit over the top of the container. I slipped a rubber band around the plastic sheet to keep it taught and poked a few holes with a pen.
Only a few minutes, some household supplies, and voila, a fly-free apartment!
Note: it can take a few days to catch all the flies, but the method is well worth it.
