How to Trap and Eliminate Fruit Flies

Prepare a banana-jar-and-funnel trap. Place a few slices of banana in a jar. To help in the fermentation of the banana slices -- making them very enticing to fruit flies -- sprinkle some yeast on the slices. Form a paper funnel and slip it into the mouth of the jar. The flies will fly into the jar through the funnel hole and won't be able to find their way out. Eliminate the flies by pouring hot water into the jar, closing the lid, and later disposing of the contents.

Prepare a juice-bowl-and-plastic-wrap trap. Place fruit juice (preferably sweet ones like pineapple or orange) in a bowl and cover with a plastic wrap. Use a toothpick to poke a few very small holes on the plastic wrap to allow flies to slip through. Once inside the bowl, the flies won't be able to find their way out. To eliminate the flies, just leave them alone. Eventually they will get stuck in the juice and drown.

Consider purchasing commercially available fruit fly traps. These are small cans or containers specifically designed to attract fruit flies, trap them inside the cans, and kill them. For public establishments like restaurants, these would look more professional than jar or bowl traps.

Prevent fruit flies by eliminating potential breeding and feeding habitats in the kitchen and garage. Always disinfect and dry kitchen countertops and sink areas, especially grout lines. Regularly clean sink drains with hot water and vinegar to remove grime and leftover food particles. Dispose of wet garbage promptly. Keep the kitchen and garage free of standing water, moist areas and damp rags or mops. Promptly dispose of rotten and rotting fruits and vegetables. Ensure that the house is screened and secure from insects and pests.