The Traps

For contraption one, simply pour a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar into the bottom of a wide bowl and cover tightly with cellophane.

In the center of the cellophane, use a sharp pencil to poke a single hole, large enough for a fruit fly to crawl into. That’s it, you’re done.

If you’d like to go even simpler, pour a little of the apple cider vinegar into the bottom of a champagne flute or wine glass and – well, that’s it.

Drawn by the irresistible allure of the vinegar the flies get as close to the liquid as they can, and the steep sides of the glass mean they inevitably fall in and drown, unable to crawl out.