Fruit flies are tiny but incredibly annoying pests that invade kitchens, hover around fruits, and seem impossible to get rid of.

Many people use apple cider vinegar traps, but what if you don’t have it or prefer not to use it? Here is how to get rid of fruit flies without apple cider vinegar.

The good news is that you don’t need apple cider vinegar to eliminate fruit flies. In this guide, I’ll share the most effective, natural, and DIY methods on how to remove fruit flies from your home. Whether you want homemade traps, repellents, or long-term prevention, this guide has you covered.

What Attracts Fruit Flies to Your Home?

Before tackling the problem, it’s important to understand why fruit flies invade your home in the first place. These tiny pests reproduce rapidly, with a single female laying up to 500 eggs at a time.

What are the Common Reasons You Have Fruit Flies?

• Overripe or rotting fruits & vegetables – Their favourite breeding ground.
• Sugary liquids & spills – Fruit juice, soda, wine, or beer attract them.
• Dirty drains & sinks – The damp environment allows them to thrive.
• Garbage bins & compost – Unsealed trash provides the perfect nesting spot.
• Moist, damp areas – Bathrooms, mops, sponges, and standing water help them multiply.

Now that you know what’s attracting them, let’s explore the best ways to get rid of them—without apple cider vinegar.

5 Effective Ways on How To Get Rid of Fruit Flies Without Apple Cider Vinegar

Dish Soap and Sugar Water Trap

Why It Works?

Fruit flies are attracted to sugar, and dish soap breaks the surface tension, causing them to drown.

What You Need?

• A small bowl or cup
• Warm water
• 1-2 teaspoons of sugar
• A few drops of dish soap

How to Make It?

1. Fill a small bowl with warm water and mix in the sugar.
2. Add a few drops of dish soap and stir.
3. Leave it near areas with fruit flies—they’ll be drawn in and trapped.

Change the mixture every 1-2 days for the best results.

Lemon and Clove Repellent

Why It Works?

The strong scent of cloves and citrus oils repels fruit flies naturally. Usually, files do like few smell and the lemon and clove stands out from them.

What You Need?

• 1 fresh lemon
• 10-15 whole cloves

How to Make It?

1. Cut a lemon in half.
2. Stick whole cloves into the flesh of the lemon.
3. Place it in problem areas such as kitchen counters or near trash bins.

Replace the lemon every 5-7 days for long-lasting results.

Milk, Sugar, and Black Pepper Trap

Why It Works?

The sweet milk attracts fruit flies, while pepper irritates them, causing them to drown.

What You Need?

• 1 cup of milk
• 3 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of black pepper

How to Make It?

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan and mix in the sugar and pepper.
2. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish.
3. Leave it near fruit fly hotspots.

This method is great for catching large numbers of fruit flies overnight.

White Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap

Why It Works?

White vinegar has a strong scent that attracts fruit flies, while dish soap traps them.

What You Need?

• A small bowl
• White vinegar
• Dish soap

How to Make It?

1. Fill a bowl with white vinegar.
2. Add a few drops of dish soap and stir.
3. Place it where fruit flies gather.

If you don’t have vinegar, you can use fermented fruit juice instead.

Essential Oils to Repel Fruit Flies

Why It Works?

Essential oils disrupt fruit flies’ scent receptors, making them avoid your home.

Best Essential Oils for Fruit Flies?

• Peppermint oil
• Lavender oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Tea tree oil

How to Use It?

1. Mix 10-15 drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray near windows, fruit bowls, and kitchen surfaces.

Alternatively, soak cotton balls in essential oil and leave them near fruit fly hotspots.

How to Prevent Fruit Flies from Coming Back?

Getting rid of fruit flies is one thing, but keeping them away is even more important.

Prevention Tip	Why It Works
Store Fruits Properly	Keep fruits in the fridge or in sealed containers.
Clean Up Spills Immediately	Sugary spills attract fruit flies within hours.
Take Out Rubbish Daily	Unsealed trash bins breed fruit flies quickly.
Rinse and Dry Drains	Pour boiling water down the drain to kill larvae.
Use Sticky Fly Traps	Catch lingering fruit flies before they reproduce.

Conclusion

Fruit flies can be stubborn, but you don’t need apple cider vinegar to get rid of them. By using dish soap traps, lemon repellents, milk traps, white vinegar, and essential oils, as mentioned in this guide on how to get rid of fruit flies without apple cider vinegar, you can eliminate fruit flies quickly and naturally.

Prevention is key. Keep your kitchen clean, store fruits properly, and seal your rubbish bins to keep fruit flies away for good.

Tried any of these methods? Share your experience in the comments!

FAQs About Fruit Flies

1. Can Fruit Flies Come from Drains?

Yes, fruit flies lay eggs in moist drains. Clean them with boiling water and baking soda to prevent infestations.

2. Do Fruit Flies Bite?

No, fruit flies do not bite, but they can contaminate food.

3. How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Fruit Flies?

With proper traps and prevention, you can eliminate them in 2-3 days.