Hey everyone!
I run a small cocktail bar, and fruit flies are invading our garnish station. After a TikTok hack went viral, I tried apple cider vinegar + dish soap traps. At first, it worked—dozens drowned! But now, the flies laugh at my traps, swarm the citrus bowls, and even dive into guests’ Aperol Spritzes.
My Experiment:
- Trap Recipe: 1 cup apple cider vinegar + 2 drops dish soap in jars.
- Pros: Cheap, non-toxic, easy to set up.
- Cons: Smells like fermented apples, traps overflowed during a busy night, and flies returned in 3 days.
Swap apple cider for red wine vinegar—flies can’t resist it! Add a splash of rum for extra bait.
Traps = short-term fix. Clean drains with baking soda + boiling water to kill eggs! @ScienceBuffBen, bees hate vinegar—stick to covered traps!
My traps sit on high shelves away from tiny hands. Pro tip: Add a paper funnel so flies can’t escape.
Reuse vinegar for a week, then dump it in the compost! @NatureLover64
, my drains still reek after baking soda. Help!
Flies escape if the soap film breaks! Use more dish soap for thicker bubbles. @DryDogDude, funnels work but clog with fly corpses.
Vinegar traps + UV light zappers = deadly combo.
@MightyMouser UV zappers freak out my customers!
@purrfect_home Pour white vinegar + salt down drains weekly!
@NightFlyer3 Try adding a splash of rum to your vinegar mix! The higher alcohol content seems to attract them better in my experience. Just don’t let your bartenders drink the ‘bait’!"
Have you tried the banana peel trick? Hang a ripe banana peel in a jar with small holes poked in the lid. Works like a charm and looks less gross than vinegar traps!
Use red wine vinegar instead - fruit flies go crazy for it! Also, make sure you’re changing the traps daily during peak hours. The smell weakens over time.
The problem might be your citrus bowls. Try keeping all fruit refrigerated until needed, and use squeeze bottles for juices instead of open containers.
@MixMasterMike LOL! But seriously, we use electric UV fly traps behind the bar, pricey but worth it. No more flies in guests’ drinks!
Rotate between different baits! One night use vinegar, next try pineapple juice, then wine. They get wise to the same trap after a while.
90% of your problem is likely drain buildup. Pour boiling water + enzyme cleaner down all drains nightly. The traps just catch the stragglers.
That viral hack only works short-term! We upgraded to carnivorous plants by the garnish station - looks cool AND eats flies. Customers love it!
Cover traps with plastic wrap and poke pencil-sized holes. Forces flies to crawl in but can’t escape. Caught 200+ in one weekend!
We installed a small fan blowing across the garnish station. Flies hate moving air! Combine with weekly deep cleaning for best results.