As the days get longer and the temperatures start climbing, most of us can’t wait to spend more time outside—whether it’s backyard barbecues, garden lounging, or evening hangouts on the porch. But nothing ruins that outdoor bliss faster than the buzz of flies or the itchy sting of mosquito bites. These tiny intruders always seem to know how to crash the party just when you’re trying to relax. While there are plenty of commercial bug repellents on the market, many of them are loaded with chemicals that can pose health risks to you, your family, and the environment. Luckily, there’s a safe and simple DIY solution that uses everyday household ingredients to keep these pests under control—and it actually works.

Over the past few years, there’s been a major shift toward do-it-yourself pest control methods. More and more people are turning away from chemical-based sprays in favor of safer, natural alternatives. According to a 2022 survey, over 60% of households tried at least one DIY pest control strategy in the last year. The rise of online tutorials and home hack videos has made these methods more popular and accessible than ever. People are realizing that you don’t need to spend a fortune—or expose yourself to toxic fumes—to keep your home bug-free.

So why go natural? For starters, chemical bug sprays and traps often contain toxins that linger in the air, soil, and even water. These substances don’t just vanish after you spray them. They can affect your pets, small children, and even your own health over time. Natural pest control options, on the other hand, use ingredients that are biodegradable, safe to touch, and better for the planet. A great example is vinegar—it breaks down quickly and doesn’t pollute the environment like synthetic pesticides.

One of the most effective and affordable DIY bug traps you can make involves just three simple ingredients: apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and liquid shampoo. This mix works like a charm, especially for catching flies and mosquitoes. The strong scent of apple cider vinegar draws them in like a magnet. The olive oil creates a slippery surface that bugs can’t escape from, and the shampoo gives the mix a sticky texture to hold them in place once they land. It’s a triple threat for flying pests—and it’s non-toxic.

Making your own trap is easy. All you need is a shallow bowl or dish, 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of any liquid shampoo. Pour the vinegar into the bowl, then add the olive oil and shampoo. Stir gently to blend the ingredients without creating too much foam. Place the dish wherever you’ve noticed high bug activity—near open windows, trash cans, fruit bowls, or outdoor seating areas. The vinegar smell will draw the bugs in, and the oil-shampoo combo will make sure they stay put.

There’s actual science behind this trick. The acetic acid in vinegar mimics the smell of fermenting fruit, which many insects find irresistible. Once they land on the surface of the trap, the olive oil coats their bodies and prevents them from escaping, while the shampoo helps glue them in place. It’s a simple design, but it gets the job done.

To get the best results, placement matters. Set your trap where bugs are most active—kitchen counters, garbage bins, or patio tables. If you want to boost the trap’s power, place it near a light source. Bugs tend to swarm toward light, and combining that attraction with the vinegar scent makes for an even more effective lure. Just be sure to keep the trap out of reach of curious pets or children.

Keep in mind, these traps need a little upkeep to stay effective. The vinegar’s scent fades over time, and once the trap fills up with bugs, it loses its charm. Swap out the old mixture every few days and give the dish a quick rinse before refilling it. If your trap isn’t catching much, try moving it to another location—you might find a better bug hotspot.

You might be wondering how this DIY method stacks up against store-bought options. While commercial traps can be more aggressive thanks to synthetic attractants, they also carry a higher risk of exposure to harsh chemicals. In a comparison study, homemade traps caught about 70% as many bugs as the commercial ones. That’s not bad, especially when you consider the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home is safer and more eco-friendly.

If you want to get creative, there are other natural ingredients you can add to your bug-fighting toolkit. Essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, and lavender not only smell great but also repel many flying insects. Adding a few drops of these oils to your vinegar trap can increase its effectiveness. Sugar water and yeast are also great for catching mosquitoes, since they produce carbon dioxide—a gas mosquitoes associate with human breath.

You’ve probably seen viral bug hacks online too. Some folks swear by cutting plastic bottles in half, filling the bottom with sugar water and yeast, then placing the top upside-down to create a funnel. Others tuck dryer sheets in their pockets or under cushions to ward off mosquitoes. While not every hack is backed by science, many users report great success with these simple tricks.

Plenty of people have already tried the vinegar-oil-shampoo trap and love it. One person mentioned they cut their kitchen fruit fly problem in half in just one day. Another said their backyard BBQs became way more enjoyable after placing a few of these traps around the deck. The best part? It’s cheap, safe, and easy to make.

In the battle against buzzing, biting bugs, this homemade trap proves that sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Give it a shot—and enjoy your summer days without the swarm.