Trap flies with leftover wine or beer

A quick alternative trap using leftover wine or beer. The fermenting sugars and alcohol produce aromas that strongly attract fruit flies.

Steps

1. Leave a small amount of stale wine or flat beer in its original bottle or pour into a jar.
2. Add 2-3 drops of dish soap to break surface tension.
3. Place near fruit fly hotspots. A narrow bottle neck naturally funnels flies in and makes escape difficult.
4. Replace every 2-3 days and maintain for at least two weeks.

Why It Works

Fruit flies are drawn to ethanol and acetic acid produced during fermentation. Red wine is especially effective because it also contains fruit-derived esters. The dish soap ensures flies cannot land safely on the liquid surface.

Tips

• Red wine tends to outperform white wine or light beer.
• Combine with the apple cider vinegar trap for broader coverage across the kitchen.