How to get rid of drain flies with apple cider vinegar?

Author: Prof. Lucio Kilback PhD  |  Last update: Friday, July 11, 2025

Set up a trap to attract the drain flies – mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dishwasing detergent in a small bowl. Leave it around the drain and wait for it to attract the drain flies and cause them to sink and die.

Can you catch drain flies with apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar with a drop of dish soap: leave in a shallow plate or bowl (I used a tiny fish bowl from thrift store) near drains to catch those flying around. They will fly in and drown. Replace every day or every other day as needed.

How do I permanently get rid of drain flies?

Apple cider vinegar with a drop of dish soap: leave in a shallow plate or bowl (I used a tiny fish bowl from thrift store) near drains to catch those flying around. They will fly in and drown. Replace every day or every other day as needed.

How do you mix apple cider vinegar to get rid of flies?

The cover is not needed. Just add a dot of dish detergent and a teaspoon of water to 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar in a small jar, glass or cut-off plastic bottle. The flies go down to the surface to lay eggs. The detergent breaks the surface tension and they fall in and drowned. Change the cider mixture once a week.

Can you mix apple cider vinegar and Dawn dish soap?

Yes, but I would recommend if you're going to use them both (for washing dishes) then I would suggest washing with soap and then dipping into vinegar water as a ``rinse'' because the soap will get grease, oil, etc off and then the vinegar would kill most germs.

How To Get Rid Of Drain Flies (5 Easy Ways)

How to make a house fly trap with apple cider vinegar?

Take a jar and punch a few tiny holes in the lid with a hammer and nail. Fill the jar with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Leave it out and watch the fruit flies come flocking.

What happens when you mix Dawn dish soap and vinegar?

Dish soap, known for its grease-fighting properties, pairs excellently with vinegar, which acts as a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. This blend not only targets stubborn stains and buildup but also leaves surfaces sanitized and fresh.

What is the best homemade fly trap?

The best homemade fly trap is one that can attract both house flies and fruit flies. To lure both outdoors, mix scraps of rotting meat, like fish or chicken, with sugar or honey. When indoors, the best bait is old fruit or honey. Liquid dish soap is exactly what you need to drown the flies.

Why are flies attracted to apple cider vinegar?

The fermented vinegar smells like rotting fruit and attracts the flies, he explains, then the detergent causes them to drown. “Some insects can walk along water, and a drop of detergent just breaks the water surface so their legs don't hold them up and they sink to the bottom.”

What are the four ingredient fly traps?

ingredients
  • 14 cup apple cider vinegar.
  • 12 cup boiling water.
  • 2 teaspoons sugar.
  • 1 -2 drop liquid dishwashing soap (not odor eliminating)

What smell do drain flies hate?

Peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils are especially beneficial. Pour a few drops of the chosen oil with water down the toilet. The oils' pungent aroma repels drain flies and disturbs their breeding cycle. To keep the solution effective, reapply it every few days.

What is the best drain fly killer?

Most Effective Products
  • Aerosol. Pyrid Insecticide Aerosol. 18 Ounce Can. As low as $27.99.
  • Ready-To-Use. Forid Drain Gel Cleaner. 64 Ounce. As low as $65.44.
  • Aerosol. Gentrol Aerosol Insect Growth Regulator. 16 Ounce. As low as $17.45.

Why am I getting so many drain flies?

Drain flies thrive in stagnant and standing water. Common sources include slow or clogged drains, rarely used and unused toilets, refrigerator drain pans, and standing water created by leaking pipes. They typically enter buildings through basements, windows, and drains.

How do you get rid of drain flies in 5 minutes?

Boil a pot of water and pour it down the drain where you suspect the drain flies are breeding. Pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Slowly pour a 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain with a drain plug, and let it sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes.

What happens if you don't have apple cider vinegar for a fly trap?

Similar to our bowl trap, we're going to want a sugary substance to attract the flies. You can use the aforementioned apple cider vinegar or wine, but you can also use beer, red wine vinegar, or even rotting fruit if you've got any lying around.

Does apple cider vinegar work as bug spray?

As an alternative, many natural replacements for the DEET ridden repellents include apple cider vinegar. Mosquitoes dislike the smell and taste of the vinegar, and will leave you alone so you can enjoy your BBQ.

Does apple cider vinegar attract drain flies?

Apple Cider Vinegar and Plastic Wrap

This method acts as a makeshift fly trap, as the drain flies should be attracted to the apple cider vinegar and become stuck in the jar. However, this will do nothing to clean your drains, so you should be aware that the issue could return.

What smell do flies hate the most?

Cinnamon – use cinnamon as an air freshner, as flies hate the smell! Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass essential oils – Not only will spraying these oils around the house create a beautiful aroma, but they will also deter those pesky flies too.

How to get rid of flies in the house with apple cider vinegar?

Vinegar Fly Trap

Fill a cup or small bowl with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for flies, then add a few drops of dish soap. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and secure it with a rubber band. Poke holes in the wrap to create entry points for the flies.

What draws drain flies?

Drain flies thrive in environments where organic material accumulates, such as: Clogged or Dirty Drains: Organic debris that builds up in your plumbing provides an ideal breeding ground for drain flies. Regular cleaning of your drains and routine pest control treatment helps prevent these pests from taking hold.

How do I get rid of flies in my house fast?

Use a shallow dish bowl and fill it with an inch of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of sugar. Next, add some fruit-scented dish soap. You can leave the dish uncovered or tightly covered with plastic wrap.

Why squirt Dawn in the bathtub at night?

Applying dish soap before the night gives the solution ample time to work its magic. As the hours pass, the dish soap loosens and lifts away the grime that has taken residence on your bathtub's surface.

What should vinegar not be mixed with?

There are certain substances you should never mix with vinegar, including bleach and ammonia, because these combinations will produce chlorine gas and toxic vapors, says Ryan Sinclair, an environmental microbiologist and associate professor at the Loma Linda University School of Public Health.

What is the best homemade bathtub cleaner?

Heat vinegar in microwave until hot and pour into squirt bottle. Add the Dawn soap. Put the lid on and gently shake to incorporate. You now have a powerful cleaning product that will melt soap scum and tub and shower buildup, clean sinks, appliances and just about anything.

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