A homemade fly trap is a great, eco-friendly alternative to chemical insect sprays or unsightly sticky strips. “Green” in this case means: non-toxic, inexpensive, and made from things you probably already have at home.

Here are the two most effective methods for getting rid of flies (whether houseflies or pesky fruit flies) naturally.

Method 1: The Classic Funnel Trap (Ideal for Houseflies)
This trap takes advantage of a fly’s natural instinct: they easily fly in but can’t find their way out.

What you need:
An empty plastic bottle (PET)
A utility knife or scissors
Some tape
The bait:
For houseflies: A piece of ripe banana, some sugar water, or a small amount of leftover beer/wine.

For fruit flies: A mixture of apple cider vinegar, some fruit juice, and a drop of dish soap.

Here’s how:
Cut the bottle: Cut off the top third of the plastic bottle (where it starts to narrow).

Fill in the attractant: Pour the bait into the bottom part of the bottle.

Build the funnel: Turn the cut-off top part upside down (without the cap!) and place it inside the bottom part of the bottle, like a funnel. The opening should point downwards but not touch the bait.

Secure it: Tape the rim shut with a little tape to ensure there are no gaps.

Why this works: The flies are attracted by the scent, crawl down the narrow neck, and later desperately try to fly back up the outer edge of the bottle. Their way back through the middle is blocked.

Method 2: The bowl method (The classic method for getting rid of fruit flies)
If you have small fruit flies in your kitchen, a simple bowl is often all you need.

What you need:

A small bowl or glass
Apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar
Some water
The secret tip: A single drop of dish soap
How to do it:
Mix vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio in the bowl.

Add a drop of dish soap and don’t stir.

Why this works: Vinegar magically attracts fruit flies. The dish soap breaks the surface tension of the water. When the fly tries to land on the surface, it can’t stay afloat and sinks immediately.

The “live trap” option (Even greener)
Don’t want to kill the flies, just get rid of them?

Use method 1 (the funnel trap), but use only a piece of dry banana or apple as bait (no liquid they could drown in).

Once you’ve caught a few flies, take the bottle outside, remove the funnel, and release the insects.

Prevention: Plants that hate flies
To avoid attracting flies in the first place, you can take advantage of nature. Place these plants on your windowsill:

Basil and tomato plants: Their intense scent repels houseflies.

Mint and lavender: These plants have a natural effect against many flying insects.

Are you currently battling tiny fruit flies in your kitchen, or are you more bothered by the larger houseflies?