4 Proven Homemade Fly Traps to Eliminate Flies Naturally at Home

Nothing disrupts your home like a fly invasion. These pests thrive in moist areas such as garbage cans, sinks, and near food.

Thankfully, you can combat them with simple, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly homemade traps. As someone who's tested these methods over years of dealing with household pests, I can vouch for their effectiveness.

Here's how to catch flies effectively with these four reliable traps:

Contents

• 1. The Vinegar Trap
• 2. The Fruit Trap
• 3. The Red Wine Trap
• 4. The Trap Used by Our Grandmothers
• Bonus: Citronella Fly Spray
• 3 Tips to Stop Attracting Flies

1. The Vinegar Trap

Facing a fly invasion? This simple apple cider vinegar trap leverages their attraction to fermented scents.

Flies can't resist it, especially when warmed to release more aroma.

Materials:

• 1 jar or similar container
• 1 piece of paper rolled into a funnel
• Apple cider vinegar (about 12 cl)
• 1-2 drops of dish soap
• 1 piece of ripe or overripe fruit (optional)

Preparation:

1. Heat the vinegar slightly and pour into the jar—enough for flies to drown.
2. Add 1-2 drops of dish soap to break surface tension, preventing escape.
3. Roll paper into a funnel and insert into the jar, leaving a small entry hole.

Flies enter drawn by the scent but drown inside. Add fruit for extra appeal. If needed, freeze the jar for 20 minutes or refresh the mixture regularly, as it can get messy.

2. The Fruit Trap

Flies love fruit, making this an ideal trap.

Materials:

• 1 jar
• Stretch film
• 1 toothpick
• Ripe or overripe fruit
• Soapy water

Preparation:

1. Place fruit pieces in the jar bottom.
2. Cover tightly with stretch film (use a rubber band if needed).
3. Poke small holes with the toothpick.
4. Position in fly hotspots, like near doors or congregation areas. Use multiple jars for best results.

Flies enter but can't exit. Dispose by submerging in warm soapy water for 10 minutes, then rinse and reuse. Bonus: Clears out overripe fruit too.

3. The Red Wine Trap

Flies are drawn to red wine's fermenting aroma, much like humans to its bouquet.

They'll gather and often drown—enhance with freezer or soapy water if needed.

Materials:

• Bottom of a red wine bottle (or red wine vinegar/balsamic)

Preparation:

Place the open bottle in fly areas. For a jar version, cover with punctured stretch film.

Flies enter intoxicated and drown.

4. The Trap Used by Our Grandmothers

This 1850s recipe from old almanacs remains a powerhouse, trusted by generations.

Materials:

• 50 cl milk
• 100 g cane sugar (brown sugar type)
• 50 g ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. Combine in a saucepan.
2. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Pour into shallow plates and place around your home.

Add dish soap drops if flies escape the surface. They drown quickly.

Bonus: Citronella Fly Spray

Repel flies without killing: Citronella essential oil works on multiple insects.

Materials:

• 10 drops citronella essential oil
• Clean spray bottle
• 6 cl hot water

Preparation:

1. Mix water and oil in bottle.
2. Shake vigorously.
3. Spray on windows, doors, or flies directly.

Find organic citronella at health stores. Pleasant and effective.

These traps are simple, natural alternatives to chemical sprays—far healthier for your home.

3 Tips to Stop Attracting Flies

1. Flies breed in drains: Pour white vinegar and hot water daily; keep sinks dry.

2. Store food, especially fruit, securely away from flies.

3. Use lidded trash cans to block odors.