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How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies Without Vinegar
By TAMARA WARTA
Boiling Water
To remove fruit flies from your drains, pour boiling water into these areas and immediately tape a clear plastic storage bag over the opening to trap any flies. Then, combine ⅓ of a cup of hot water with a packet of activated dry yeast and one teaspoon of water to make a trap for any rogue fruit flies that appear.
Beer & Wine
Since fruit flies are drawn to the fermentation process, beer or wine can serve as the perfect fruit fly trap. Leave a small amount of the beverage at the bottom of the can or bottle, and place it on a flat surface near where the fruit flies are located — for more effective results, combine the alcohol with a few drops of dish soap to trap the flies.
Milk & Sugar
For a generations-old method, simmer 2 cups of milk until it bubbles, and then mix in one cup of sugar and ¼ cup of black ground pepper. Pour it into a bowl, place some plastic wrap over the top, and poke a few holes in it to ensure the fruit flies get in but can't get out again.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Spray a mix of isopropyl alcohol and water all over the area where the fruit flies are located, and they will die on contact. This method is enhanced with dish soap or lemon essential oil as the soap bubbles trap the flies, while the lemon essential oil will draw them in with their scent.
Professional Traps
Available both in local stores and on Amazon, fast-acting traps claim to eliminate any and all fruit fly infestations and last an average of 45 days. Since fruit flies seek out moist organic debris, these traps usually use a special food-based liquid to lure their victims into funnel-shaped holes, trapping the flies.