A vinegar and dish soap fly trap is an effective method for killing flies overnight.
Here's how it works and why it's effective:
The Vinegar and Dish Soap Fly Trap
This method uses a simple mixture to attract and trap flies, leading to their demise overnight.
Ingredients:
- Apple cider vinegar (attractant)
- Sugar (enhances attraction)
- Fruit-scented dish soap (reduces surface tension)
- Shallow bowl or dish
- Optional: Plastic wrap
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: Fill a shallow bowl with about an inch of apple cider vinegar. Add a tablespoon of sugar and a squirt (approximately a teaspoon or less) of fruit-scented dish soap.
- Mix Gently: Stir the mixture gently; avoid creating excessive bubbles.
- Optional Covering: You can leave the dish uncovered or tightly cover it with plastic wrap. If using plastic wrap, poke several small holes in the top to allow flies to enter.
- Placement: Place the trap in an area where you commonly see flies.
Why it Works:
- Vinegar Attractant: Flies are attracted to the sweet, fermented smell of apple cider vinegar.
- Sugar Enhancement: The added sugar further enhances the attractiveness of the bait.
- Dish Soap as a Surfactant: The dish soap reduces the surface tension of the vinegar. When flies land on the liquid, they sink and drown instead of being able to stand on the surface.
Expected Results:
Overnight, you should find a number of dead flies trapped in the mixture. The effectiveness depends on the fly population and the placement of the trap.
