Introduction: Cheap, Efficient, Easy (and Cute!) Fruit Fly Trap
Fruit flies are harmless but incredibly annoying, and unless you take action they will colonize your kitchen and sip your wine as you try to drink it. The web (including instructables) is full of solutions, most following the simple principle of a trap with liquid bait in which the flies will drown. My solution is no different. These traps all work, but frankly, they're all eyesores.
This is why I designed this simple template. I fiddled with the size and shape of the cut and fold lines, then worked some photoshop magic on shots of an orange. You can get this orange template from my website, or use this free blank template I uploaded here and decorate it yourself.
Attachments
Step 1: Five Minutes of Time
All you need is about five minutes plus some regular paper, scissors, glue (or tape) a jar and some vinegar, wine, beer or juice and you'll be looking good in the extermination business!
You'll also need the templates, obviously. You can download this trompe l'oeil orange from my website (for $1) or use the free blank PDF file I uploaded to step one instructables and decorate it yourself. You can also get the blank template and all my other free designs here in case you can't download the PDF from Instructables.
The orange template is designed to be printed on both sides of a single sheet of paper, so that the cut and fold lines will be invisible on the final product.
Please note: if you're upset that I'm charging a dollars for the orange template, because everything should be free on instructables, there IS a work-around. I've been trying to get people to post pictures of their work done with my templates, because I love seeing how people use my designs and make them personal, and I think it's inspiring for others too -- so if you make this blank template (or any other of my templates), decorate it, photograph it and post it here, I'll email you a dollar coupon and you can get my orange design orange for free...Deal?
Step 2: Make the Cone
Print my template on a color printer double sided (you can easily feed the same sheet of paper into your printer twice if you don't have the duplexing option).
Cut out the template on the black lines, then score your fold line by drawing firmly along the dotted line with a ball point pen (hint: a soft felt tip won't help...).
Fold the cone by pinching the template along your scored line.
Glue the tabs and you're done!
Step 3: Prepare the Trap
The past times I've had infestations I've used wine and beer as bait, because that's what seems to attract my fruit flies (and it worked very well), but if you don't want to share your favorite beverages with these nasty creatures, apparently vinegar works well too.
Put about an inch of your chosen liquid into a jar or cup (with a diameter of about 2.5"). Add a drop of liquid soap if you'd like to speed up drowning (this will reduce the surface tension of the water so they will sink when they hit the water rather than skate), but don't put more than a drop or the soapy smell might interfere with the bait scent.
Top it off with your paper cone, and place it near your infestation. They will fall like flies.....
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37 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
My mother will love these.... great instructable!
8 years ago on Introduction
Just made it. Thank you
8 years ago on Introduction
was excellent
9 years ago on Introduction
What an excellent instructable and also the coolest looking trap I've ever seen! Thank you so much for sharing
9 years ago on Step 3
I may try this one :)
9 years ago on Introduction
This is the cleverest use of Pepakura (the technique, not the website) I've yet seen. Your 'ibles are always so well done.....!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks so much! I've never used the Pepakura software, I just imagine the 3D shape and translate it to 2D as I draw with my fingers (I always draw it freehand first, then once I've figured out the general shape I re-draw it precisely on the computer). Slower and less efficient maybe, but for me at least mentally translating 3D to 2D is where all the enjoyment comes from.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I've done a few really simple things like this in Illustrator, it always ends up being a much bigger challenge than it appeared to begin with. Much respect for your skills...!
9 years ago
Die fruit flies, die! Muhu hahaha (laughing deviously)
9 years ago on Introduction
oh I just realizrd from comments that this orange was not real
9 years ago
That's sad, and mean.
But creative I guess...
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
It sad and mean that the the sciarid flies killed my two hedera plants and a cactus :(
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Totally agree. Drown the lil' buggers!
9 years ago on Introduction
Wow. I, too, thought this was a real orange, LOL. This is a great idea as I'm allergic to 'biting flies'. Nooooo....I do not bite them. They bite ME, lol. Anyhow, I end up with horrific welts and end up on high doses of oral Prednisone. For once, I would love to give THEM a little treat. This will be perfect. Thanks for posting!
9 years ago on Introduction
lol i thought it was an actual orange hehee
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
You too ?
Glad I'm not alone ! :))
9 years ago on Step 3
I found that a white vessel (I.E.- a coffee cup) works better than a clear glass. Don't know why but I catch 30:1 versus clear glass. Also have used vinegar, beer, wine and fruit juices. Red Wine worked best. Diluted 2:1 wine to water worked best. Happy Hunting.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the advice. I only know it has to be fruity and they ruin a glass of sherry if I leave it uncovered. Never thought about color.
9 years ago
add a drop or two of dish soap to your chosen liquid and it works even better!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
That works really well. I usually save the drop of soap for wasp traps, though. A two liter bottle or gallon jug with fruity liquid in the bottom and a drop of dish soap out on the back porch. Several of them in some years. Soap makes the inevitable happen faster.