The 8 Best Fruit Fly Traps of 2023

Best Overall

DynaTrap DT3005W DOT Indoor Plug-In Fly Trap

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DynaTrap’s design requires no baits, has no odor, and takes up no counter space. By simply opening the box and plugging it in, DynaTrap instantly attracts flies, as well as moths and gnats, to its UV light. The product is designed to blend in with most any decor. Once landed on, flies get stuck to the sticky glue card, which you can easily dispose of. The manufacturer claims effectiveness up to 400 square feet, about the area of a two-car garage.

After you've peeled off the glue card backing and inserted it into the trap, plug the cylindrical device into any outlet in a room where you’ve seen flying insect activity. The glue card is on the side of the device facing the wall, so trapped insects stay out of sight. The manufacturer says that glue cards are designed to be effective for 21 days. Simply replace the inserted card at that time or when it becomes full. Keep the trap running continuously for 24/7 protection.

Any flying insect—including houseflies, moths, gnats, and other winged pests—is likely to find the trap irresistible, especially at night, when fewer lights compete for the invader's attention. DynaTrap is also inexpensive and easy to acquire at most retailers nationwide.

Price at time of publish: $16.99

_{Type: UV light with sticky trap | Use: Plug-in | Dimensions: 1.5 x 3.2 x 5.75 inches}

Best Budget

Terro Fruit Fly Trap

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Terro has been a trusted name in household pest control for decades, and this classic fruit fly trap can be found at most home improvement or hardware stores. The product is instantly recognizable, with its red apple shape and characteristic sprinkling of holes across the top. Its small size allows placement just about anywhere fruit flies are an issue, including kitchens and bathrooms. And the unique design doesn’t scream “Fly trap!” in your kitchen. With its easy-to-use design, it requires little setup, cleanup, or maintenance.

The holes on the top are key for catching flies, as the interior basin is filled with Terro’s patented lure, which fruit flies find irresistible. Every two-pack includes a bottle of this liquid, which the manufacturer says should last 90 days. (Refills are available, sold separately.) Once the pests enter through the holes, they can’t fly back out, providing instant control. You can check on the product's progress through the window built in to each fruit fly trap.

Price at time of publish: $5.89

_{Type: Lure | Use: Countertop | Dimensions: 12.25 x 10.25 x 8.38 inches}

Best for Kitchen

Aunt Fannie's Fly Punch

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This relatively new product on the pest control scene makes catching fruit flies as simple as flipping a lid. We’ve seen the product catch more than 20 fruit flies in a kitchen over a 24-hour period! What we like best is how easy it is to use. You forget it's even there, and it works up to 30 days, with no upkeep required. This product functions best placed next to other potential lures, such as bowls of fresh fruit or sweet-scented hand soap. The manufacturer partners with the nonprofit Environmental Working Group to reduce dangerous ingredients in its products.

The bait is a mix of vinegar and fermented fruit. It comes in a plastic shaker vial, similar to how grocery store spices are packaged. Once the bait is inserted, and the lid is flipped, flies find their way through the shaker holes to the lure inside and are instantly trapped. When the 30-day period is up, simply toss the trap into the trash.

Price at time of publish: $14.99 (two-pack; other quantities available)

_{Type: Lure | Use: Kitchen counter | Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 5 inches}

Best Drain Treatment

Green Gobbler Fruit Fly Goodbye Gel Drain Treatment

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Fruit flies lay their eggs along the inside walls of drains, especially in your kitchen. If you can remove the eggs and pupa stage, which happen in the drain, you dramatically reduce the population. Green Gobbler is a pourable gel treatment that is deadly to fruit flies and is designed to do no harm to your pipes or septic system, according to the manufacturer. The gel includes citronella, a plant oil that most insects find unpleasant.

For the initial application, pour 8 ounces into your kitchen sink drain, making sure the liquid coats the pipes, as well as washes over the flies’ breeding material. (The manufacturer recommends waiting until the end of the day so as not to wash away the application with running sink water.) You may have to repeat the application daily until you see a reduction in the fly population, as well as a weekly maintenance application of half the initial amount. Green Gobbler provides a 30-day hassle-free return, no questions asked, with a full refund if you're unsatisfied.

Price at time of publish: $14.97

_{Type: Gel | Use: Drain treatment | Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.25 x 10 inches}

Best Electric

Katchy Indoor Fruit Fly Trap

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Sleek and classy, the Katchy Indoor Insect Trap works similarly to the DynaTrap, offering a UV light source that flies find irresistible. Katchy catches more than just fruit flies, attracting mosquitoes, gnats, and no-see-ums as well. The trap is powered by a 5-volt USB cord, and the bulb should last 20 hours. The flies meet their end on a glue board (a pack of four is included), which slides out easily from the bottom of the trap. You peel off the top layer and toss it out. To increase the trap’s attractiveness, try adding a few drops of vinegar and dish soap to the sticky board. 

You get two modes: automatic, which senses when it’s dark enough for optimum pest attraction, and manual, enabling you to control various aspects such as fan speed. Katchy does not rely just on light alone; it also offers up an air current that forces flies downward toward a sticky board trap when they approach the light. The modern design lets you put the trap just about everywhere, without announcing that you have a fruit fly problem.

Price at time of publish: $39.99

_{Type: Electric | Use: Kitchen counter, bathroom, bar | Dimensions: 9.09 x 5.43 x 5.39 inches}

Best for Houseplants

Garsum Houseplant Sticky Traps

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Decaying matter in the soil of a houseplant, especially if you let it get too moist, can quickly escalate to a fruit fly and gnat hotspot. The Garsum sticky houseplant trap differs from the typical rectangles by offering a variety of styles, including flowers, cats, and butterflies. The sticky trap is on a stake, making it easy to insert one directly into a plant pot instead of searching for a nearby spot to hang it.

Simple for anyone to use, the trap is designed to catch fruit flies, fungus gnats, houseflies, and even clothes moths. Once it has served its purpose, you throw it away. At under $8 for a pack of 21, it is also a bargain. The only downside is, the trap is broad-spectrum, meaning it can trap occasional good insects and other materials on the sticky card.

Price at time of publish: $7.99

_{Type: Sticky trap | Use: Control around houseplants | Dimensions: 0.3 x 3.77 x 7.35 inches}

Best for Heavy Infestations

Fruit Fly Barpro Fly Strip

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If you have tried just about everything to alleviate your fruit fly problem, consider giving Fruit Fly Barpro a shot. Fruit Fly Barpro’s time-controlled vapor is designed to repel flies, bugs, cockroaches, and spiders. The vapor is odorless, so it shouldn’t be noticeable, and the hanging strips are small enough not to be immediately noticed.

The repellent lasts up to four months, according to the manufacturer, and each strip treats up to 200 cubic feet (about the size of a one-car garage). Setup is also a breeze, as it simply requires removing the exterior foil and hanging the product above potential breeding zones, such as sinks or garbage cans. Once the strips contact air, they are activated, and they should last up to 120 days. This product should be kept out of reach of children and not hung directly over food-prep areas.

Price at time of publish: $10.99

_{Type: Hanging trap | Use: Large infestations | Dimensions: 3.5 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches}