Can a Homemade Vinegar Trap Eliminate Fruit Flies in a Bar?

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!