Wow. Nothing says Happy Easter like the hatching of a few hundred million fruit flies. I kid you not – Saturday, there were none. By Sunday morning, they were everywhere.

Our compost pile – the obvious reason we attract so many fruit flies.

Fortunately, this is ain’t my first rodeo. Given that we are devoted composters (I have a hard time throwing organic matter in the trash even when composting isn’t an option), and that we don’t refrigerate most of our produce, fruit flies are a springtime norm at our house (no matter where we happen to be living). Luckily, the brain size of fruit flies makes for an easy solution. These simple DIY traps work great and cost you next to nothing.

How To Make a Fruit Fly Trap 

You’ll need:

A jar from the recycling bin (mayo, jelly, whatever)

Tape (masking or duct work best)

A sheet of paper

A bit of rotting fruit and/or a few tablespoons of sweet fermented liquid (wine, beer and balsamic vinegar work great)

Directions:

1. Make a cone out of the sheet of paper, leaving a small opening on the pointed end (a little bigger than a pin head and a little smaller than an eraser). The opening of the wide end of the cone should be large enough to rest on the edge of the jar with the cone tip a few inches from the jar bottom. Tape the cone to secure.
2. Place rotting food and liquid in jar.
3. Tape the cone to the jar securely.
4. Set the trap near your compost or fruit bowl. You will be shocked at how many fruit flies you collect in a day.
5. Release them outside, away from your house by removing the paper cone. Reassemble and reset as needed.

Word to the wise: Unattended fruit fly traps become maggot breading grounds in only a few days. Unless you are looking for an interesting science experiment, be sure and release the captives every day or two.