7 Fruit Fly Traps to Keep Pests Out of Your Kitchen (2024)

Our Top Picks

The best fruit fly trap we tested is the Safer Home Indoor Fly Trap. Its all-white, streamlined design will blend in with almost any decor—it loosely resembles a Wi-Fi router. We tested this device at home and were obsessed with its small size, which is comparable to a Glade Plug-In. It is effective for up to 400 square feet, allowing you to protect large rooms like your kitchen or bathroom from fruit flies.

After setting up the trap in the kitchen for two weeks, we were able to catch over 50 fruit flies, and yet the board was not full. The trap also lured in a moth and a fairly large fly, which we were not expecting.

Setting up the trap only required two steps. We removed the protective backing from the glue card and inserted it into the device, before plugging it into the wall outlet. The glue card is strategically placed with its sticky surface facing the wall to keep trapped insects hidden from view, which we appreciated. It's worth keeping in mind that the unit only comes with one glue card, so you'll need to purchase refills separately.

Given you’ll need to replace the glue card every 21 days or sooner if full, depending on your infestation, the cost of refilling the trap can add up over time. However, the Safer Home plug-in is still a lower-cost option, considering each replacement costs about $3 and does a great job of trapping winged pests. Plus, it even doubles as a nightlight, since it’ll glow once the sun sets.

One thing to note is that the trap may not work as well during daylight hours since the UV light isn't visible to insects. But overall, this is a highly effective and convenient option for keeping your home bug-free.

_{Type: UV light with sticky trap | Use: Kitchen, bar | Dimensions: 1.5 x 3.2 x 5.75 inches | Fly Type: Fruit Flies, flies, moths, gnats}

If you're tired of dealing with pesky fruit flies in your home, you might want to try out this cute apple-shaped gadget. Despite its adorable appearance, we found that this affordable little gadget works great for killing fruit flies. Thanks to its compact size (just smaller than a Macintosh apple), you can place it anywhere fruit flies are an issue, including kitchens and bathrooms.

It also doesn't use any electricity so your coveted kitchen and bathroom outlets remain free. Using the trap is incredibly easy: Pour half of the bait from the lure bottle into each trap. No additional maintenance or cleanup is required.

The traps use liquid bait to lure fruit flies for up to 45 days, which enter through the funnel-shaped holes at the top. Once fruit flies are inside, they can’t get back out, so you should notice a dramatic reduction in numbers within a few days.

Each trap has a small cut-out window on one side, so you can check the progress and monitor the liquid levels since it will slowly evaporate. We found this trap effective at catching fruit flies and even other insects in our kitchen.

One potential downside is that the traps can spill if they fall over, so you want to make sure you place them somewhere they won’t easily get knocked over. And you can’t buy more of the liquid lure if you run out, so you’ll have to buy new traps entirely.

_{Type: Countertop | Use: Kitchen | Dimensions: 2.25 x 2.25 x 2.2 inches | Fly Type: Fruit flies}

If you are a plant lover, you might have experienced the problem of fruit flies and gnats swarming around your houseplants and causing a nuisance. If the soil in the container is wet and decomposing, the condition might worsen quickly. Luckily, we tested the Garsum sticky houseplant trap, which can come to your rescue and assist you in getting rid of these pests.

Unlike traditional rectangular traps, these leaf-like traps are placed on a stake that can be inserted directly into your potted plant without looking for a nearby spot to hang it. Simply fold the sticky tape together to make a loop, and slide the ends onto the clip on the stake.

Out of all the traps we tested, we found this one easiest to use. Plus, because they are waterproof and UV-resistant, you can also use them outdoors to keep pests away from edible plants.

The trap attracts a variety of insects, such as fruit flies, fungus gnats, houseflies, and even clothes moths, thanks to its bright yellow color. You can keep the sticky for a few weeks until the trap is filled before throwing it out. This comes in a pack of 21 with seven sticks (that each holds two traps).

The only thing we don't love is the appearance, especially for spaces with a lot of houseplants. It can take away from the natural beauty of the plant itself.

_{Type: Sticky | Use: Garden, indoor plants | Dimensions: 0.3 x 3.77 x 7.35 inches | Fly Type: Fruit flies, fungus gnats}

With its modern design, this machine is the techiest option on our list, and it's a powerful tool designed to get rid of fruit flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and other insects. It has a zap-free UV light ring at the top that attracts insects, so if your kids or pets touch it, they won’t get zapped.

To enhance its trapping power, the Katchy Duo also comes with a scent pod, which you can fill with your choice of liquid bait, or you can DIY a solution using apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap. To top it off, this unit has a fan that sucks flies downward into the bait trap once they approach the light.

The Katchy has a selection of customizable settings: five fan speeds and five brightness levels. In auto mode, the fan and light start automatically when the light sensor detects enough darkness to effectively attract pests. The Katchy is powered by a USB cord and a 120V adapter (both are included).

With all of this bug-killing technology, it’s no surprise that the Katchy costs significantly more than the other traps on our list. But, we feel its advanced features set it apart from the competition. Although this performer is a solid choice, there is one drawback that should be considered: It is quite bulky.

_{Type: Electric | Use: Kitchen counter, bathroom, bar | Dimensions: 5.91 x 5.91 x 3.94 inches | Fly Type: Fruit flies, gnats, mosquitos}

Since fruit flies tend to lay eggs in drains, Green Gobbler is designed to kill them right at the source. It's worth noting that fruit flies can reproduce at a remarkably rapid pace. From birth to adulthood, it can be just eight to ten days.

Therefore, the quicker you remove the eggs and pupae stage, the quicker you can stop the infestation in its tracks. This gel formula gets poured down the drain and won’t harm your pipes or septic system. The active ingredient is citronella, which naturally kills fruit flies, similar to how citronella candles work.

For the initial application, pour eight ounces of Green Gobbler into your sink drain, making sure the liquid coats the pipes thoroughly by circling your wrist so the product hits the walls. A great tip is to wait until the end of the day so you don’t wash away the product by running the sink. You may have to repeat the application daily until you feel like you’ve addressed your fruit fly issues.

After you’ve dealt with the colony, you’ll still need to apply 4 to 8 ounces per week as a maintenance routine (which will eat up an entire 32-ounce bottle in 8 uses). Green Gobbler does have a 30-day return policy, and you can receive a full refund if the product doesn’t work; the phone number and email are on the label.

_{Type: Gel | Use: Drains | Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.25 x 10 inches| Fly Type: Fruit flies, drain flies}

Mimicking the appearance of a spice jar, Aunt Fanny’s FlyPunch is an ideal choice for kitchens because it blends in unobtrusively. This product works best when placed next to potential lures such as bowls of fresh fruit or sweet-scented hand soap.

It’s incredibly simple to use: Just flip open the lid, and the liquid lure attracts the bugs. You should start to see results within a day or two.

There’s no mixing or messy application required, which we like. The bait contains plant-based ingredients—a blend of vinegar and fermented fruit—so it is safe to keep near food. Lured flies find their way through the holes in the shaker lid and are instantly trapped.

One trap will work for up to 30 days, and you can purchase multi-packs for convenience. Once the 30-day period is up, you can simply toss the trap in the trash. The scent can be strong, which is not surprising because the bait contains vinegar.

_{Type: Countertop | Use: Kitchen counter | Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 5 inches| Fly Type: Fruit flies}

These fruit fly traps don't use any pesticides or poison, making them an ideal choice for bars, restaurants, and supermarkets. They contain an all-natural, vinegar-based solution that lures pesky flies and gets rid of them for good.

These traps contain patented food-grade ingredients, which means they are safe to use in a kitchen and anywhere else food is prepared or consumed. Measuring 3.5 inches on each side and just two inches tall, the traps’ compact size allows for placement just about anywhere.

Since the Natural Catch traps come with the solution already inside, setting them up is a breeze. All you need to do is pierce the four holes at the top with the provided stick and place them near your infestation.

The smell can be strong for some people—a common complaint with any trap that contains vinegar. Please note that the traps are not refillable and last about 30 days.

_{Type: Countertop | Use: Commercial, kitchen, bar | Dimensions:} ‎_{4.37 x 3.98 x 3.7 inches | Fly Type: Fruit flies}

Final Verdict

The Safer Home Indoor Plug-In Fruit Fly Trap is the best fruit fly trap we've used, thanks to its large coverage area, discrete design, and insect-killing capabilities. Plus, it also comes in handy as a nightlight. If you’re looking for a more affordable solution, the Terro Ready-to-Use Indoor Fruit Fly Trap is a simple and effective countertop top. Its apple-shaped design makes it unique.

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