Say Goodbye to Fruit Flies with This Wine and Soap Trick

Getting rid of fruit flies using wine and soap is surprisingly effective, and the search results reveal several proven methods that can eliminate these pests quickly.

## The Wine Bottle Method

The most effective approach discovered was actually accidental – a wine bottle left out with wine remaining in the bottom. The fermentation process in wine releases carbon dioxide, which is heavier than air, and fruit flies that enter the bottle essentially suffocate in the CO2. This method was so successful that it completely eliminated a year-long fruit fly infestation after other traps had only caught one or two flies each.

## Soapy Wine Bait Trap

For a more intentional approach, you can create a trap using wine or fermented vinegar with dish soap. The process is simple: fill a bowl about three-quarters full with wine, wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar, then add a small drop of dish soap to the surface. The soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid, causing fruit flies to fall in and drown when they try to land on it.

## Why This Combination Works

Fruit flies are naturally attracted to fermented substances because they feed on and lay eggs in rotting, fermenting fruit and vegetables. Wine and fermented vinegars provide this attractive scent that draws them to the trap. The soap component is crucial because fruit flies are small enough that normal surface tension would allow them to walk on liquid surfaces without falling in.

## Additional Soap-Based Methods

Another variation involves creating soap bubbles in the wine by shaking the container after adding dish soap. The flies get trapped in these bubbles when they’re attracted to the bait. You can also simply touch a soapy finger to the surface of your liquid bait to break the surface tension.

## Setup and Placement Tips

Remove all fruit from counters and fruit bowls so the trap becomes the only source of attraction for the flies. Place the trap on a counter, window ledge, or anywhere you’ve noticed fruit fly activity. Some people modify the setup by using containers with small holes in the lid or creating funnel-shaped entries to prevent flies from escaping once they enter.

## Best Baits to Use

While regular white vinegar or plain fruit juice don’t work as well, fermented options like apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, wine vinegar, or actual wine are highly effective. Red wine vinegar is particularly recommended by some sources. If you only have fruit juice available, adding pieces of rotting banana can help attract the flies.

This wine and soap method typically works within hours, with many people reporting significant results by the next day.