Cleaning fan's grim hack 'traps' flies without using any chemicals

Fruit flies can be a year-round nuisance - not just in late summer and autumn - especially if there's food around to attract them.

Fortunately, there are ways to deter these pests without resorting to chemical sprays. One creative cleaner has devised an easy, albeit slightly off-putting, method to trap and kill fruit flies, which may not be for the faint-hearted.

Sharing their top tip on Facebook, the house-proud user posted pictures of a garlic butter dip pot, similar to those used for pizza crusts. However, this one was far from appetising, with dozens of dead flies trapped inside and stuck to the foil lid.

Woman's odd hack 'traps' fruit flies without using chemicals (Image:Facebook)

Explaining their unusual approach, the inventive group member said: "Just a heads up for anyone that are dealing with pesky gnats or fruit flies, whatever they're called.

"Open up a cup of garlic butter and they go straight to it. This picture is after about five minutes of opening it. It's gross but it's better than having them flying around everywhere lol."

Photos have captured a pot becoming increasingly swamped with flies in no time, the insects seemingly undeterred by the carcasses already ensnared. While some social media users were taken aback that someone would "wasted good garlic butter" others battling fly problems are keen to try the trick themselves.

One individual remarked: "Thanks for the tip! " Another enthused: "10/10 recommend the garlic butter dip hack for gnats! ! I've tried everything and this has been the most effective! " Offering an alternative, someone else advised: "Pour a glass of apple cider vinegar. This method is excellent and will last for weeks on end, the flies just can't help themselves."

Flies are drawn to various foodstuffs, with fruit flies particularly fond of the sweet, fermenting odours like that of apple cider vinegar. A 180 ml tub of garlic butter is available at Iceland for £1.85, and a 350ml bottle of apple cider vinegar costs £1.30 at Tesco.