There are few things like going to a farmers market or grocery store and bringing home a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. That is, until your picturesque display of produce becomes plagued by those irksome insects: fruit flies.
ATK Reviews
Fruit Flies Can’t Resist a Banana Trap
Make them an offer they can’t refuse.
By Published Sept. 12, 2022
During my recent testing of countertop compost bins, I dug into how to get rid of these seemingly impossible-to-eliminate creatures.
I reached out to the experts at the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment at the University of Massachusetts, and they shared a never-fail method for trapping fruit flies.
Make a banana trap.
Sign up for the Well-Equipped Cook newsletter
Shop smarter with our ATK Reviews team's expert guides and recommendations.
America's Test Kitchen will not sell, rent, or disclose your email address to third parties unless otherwise notified. Your email address is required to identify you for free access to content on the site. You will also receive free newsletters and notification of America's Test Kitchen specials.
But first, the gross part.
Fruit flies are strongly attracted to bananas, and like to lay their eggs on the peels. These eggs then hatch and proceed to make your life miserable.
Creating a simple banana trap allows you to trap these pests with their favorite snack.
All you need is a banana peel, a clear plastic container, and a toothpick (or something sharp enough to pierce the container).
Equipment Review
The Best Countertop Compost Bins
There are countless models on the market. Which ones contain smells and are a breeze to use?Read Our Review
Place the peel inside the container and poke a few holes in the top. Leave the trap next to your fruit bowl or anywhere else you notice fruit flies.
The fruit flies will be attracted to the banana scent, and will crawl in through the holes but will not be able to find their way out. Most of them will be locked inside for you to release outside or...not. Most of the flies should be in the trap within 24 hours.
Repeat this process every day for 3 or 4 days, and your fruit fly problem should be taken care of. If even after trapping them they seem to keep coming back, it may be time to clean your sink.