As warmer weather sets in, homes across the UK are facing an all-too-familiar nuisance: fruit flies and house flies. But pest control experts have revealed that a kitchen cupboard staple, costing as little as 65p, could be the key to keeping the pests at bay.
While many DIY pest control tips trend online every summer, not all are effective. To help separate the myths from reality, London-based waste removal firm Clear It Waste has teamed up with Tony King, owner of professional pest control company The Pied Piper, to highlight affordable, reliable hacks that actually work.
Among the tried-and-tested solutions, apple cider vinegar traps top the list. “For fruit flies and house flies, apple cider vinegar traps are an affordable do-it-yourself measure I often recommend to customers,” said Tony King.
“They cost as little as 65p, or just over £2 if you buy branded ingredients, and they’re incredibly easy to make.”
To create the trap, all you need is a small glass or jar, a splash of apple cider vinegar (just over an inch), a few drops of washing-up liquid, and some plastic wrap. Secure the wrap over the top of the jar with a rubber band and poke several small holes in the surface.
The smell of the vinegar lures the flies in, and the soap breaks the liquid’s surface tension, causing the flies to sink and drown.
The trap is most effective when placed in high-risk fly zones: near compost bins, fruit bowls, dishwashers, or kitchen sinks – all common breeding grounds for fruit flies during summer.
King adds that while there are many online hacks involving everything from essential oils to lemon and cloves, most are unreliable or only offer short-term relief.
The vinegar trap, however, has been used by pest professionals and homeowners alike for years and remains a cost-effective, chemical-free solution.
With the UK experiencing one of the warmest summers in recent years, the surge in fly numbers has become a common complaint in households nationwide.
For those seeking a simple, safe, and budget-friendly fix, apple cider vinegar might be the unlikely hero, and one you probably already have in your cupboard.