Drain flies are common household insects. But how to get rid of drain flies and prevent an infestation? They are gray or taupe with small, rounded wings. They congregate around standing water and don’t fly as much as hop from surface to surface.
Drain flies, also called sewer flies, moth flies, or filter flies, can be a nuisance in any home. These small flies can live for up to three weeks and lay new eggs every 48 hours.
If you are having an infestation of drain flies, it is important to take action quickly to get rid of them. Preventing them from coming back is also important.
Continue reading to find out more.
What do drain flies look like?
Drain flies are small, black, or brown-colored flies that look like moths. They have small body and are typically about 1/4 inch long. Drain flies are small, brown, and have striped wings with thin, straight veins.
Their wings are spread out like moth-like, and they have a tuft of fur on their head. They also have straight, feather-like antennae on their head.
Signs of drain fly infestations (Sink Flies and eggs)
The signs of drain fly infestation are in the following areas:
- The underlying problem with your plumbing.
- Clogged pipes are a common attractant for drain flies, as are moist environments.
- Pour vegetable oil down the drain and then check for larvae.
- Drain flies are attracted to moist, organic material and can quickly infest a home if not dealt with.
- Use one strip of tape to trap them and place them near the suspected fly breeding ground.
- Household and fixture drains are filled with tiny black flying nuisance insects.
How to Get Rid of Drain Flies?
Pipe brush for Drains
Use the pipe brush to scrub as far up the pipe as possible. Then, clean your sink and drain with your usual cleaning solution.
Traps in Sinks
Make sure that there is no stagnant standing water in your drains. It will help stop the flies from being able to lay eggs in the traps. You can also use traps to catch the flies, allowing you to dispose of them.
Boiling water as Drain Cleaner
Drain flies are pesky insects eliminated by pouring boiling water down the drain. Boiling water kills larvae, but it won’t do much for the flying flies. It would help if you poured a medium-sized pot of water once or twice per week to keep them at bay.
Salt and baking soda as Kitchen drain cleaner
Mix 1/2 cup of salt with 1/2 cup of baking soda. Pour this mixture down the drain, then follow up with 1/2 cup vinegar. It will clean up any remaining drain flies.
Apple cider vinegar
One of the most popular home remedies for getting rid of drain flies is apple cider vinegar. To be effective, 1-2 cups are needed. You will also need hot water, vinegar, salt, and baking soda.
If store-bought drain openers are not available or if you would like to use a natural alternative, apple cider vinegar can do the trick.
Another way to trap flies is by pouring apple cider vinegar into a bowl and then placing it near the fly infestation.
Drano as fly exterminator in home
Drano is a product that is often used to clear clogged drains, but does drano get rid of drain flies? While Drano may kill some drain flies, it is unlikely to get rid of all of them. If you have a problem with drain flies, you may need to try a different method.
The most effective way to remove drain flies is to use a chemical unclogger like Drano or Bio-Clean. These solutions will eliminate the materials or debris that may be creating a breeding ground for the flies.
Additionally, it will prevent new eggs from hatching, eventually eliminating the infestation.
How to Prevent a Drain Flies Infestation?
There are things you can do to help prevent drain flies from infesting your home in the first place.
You can fix any leaky appliances, wipe up any water sitting in the sink drain or around appliances, and pour any remaining water outside.
If you have already been dealing with an infestation, there are some steps you can take to get rid of them. You can try using a commercial fly killer or bait, setting up a vinegar trap, or hiring a professional exterminator.
The most important step is to regularly clean all pipe drains in the kitchen and bathroom. It will remove any build-up of organic matter that attracts drain flies, and it will also break up clogs that can serve as breeding grounds for the insects.
In addition, a few home remedies are used to remove drain flies. These remedies can also clean pipe drains, break up clogs and stop insects from returning. Finally, the ToiletShroom is a helpful tool to keep drains free of waste and prevent drain flies from breeding.
The sinks and sink basins must wash with soap and hot water. Remove food sources in the kitchen. It means transferring food crumbs from the sink to the trash can. It is important to keep the kitchen clean and free of clutter.
Since drain flies feed on rotting food, it is important to keep the kitchen clean by washing dishes and not leaving any food waste behind. In addition, installing a sink filter can help prevent an infestation by separating water from foreign objects.
There are two sink strainers–the SinkShroom and the drain strainer. The SinkShroom is a mushroom-shaped silicone strainer that fits over drains and catches large pieces of debris while allowing water to flow through.
The drain strainer is a metal mesh strainer that fits in the drain and catches smaller pieces of debris.
How to spray kill drain flies?
The next way to rid of drain flies is to use a spray. You can use different brands of spray. But most will require you to hold the can 18 to 24 inches away from the target area and spray until the surface is wet. Make sure to read the instructions on the product carefully before use.
Are drain flies harmful?
Drain flies are not harmful to humans and don’t bite or transmit diseases. However, they can be a nuisance and cause frustration. They are attracted to moisture and eat sewage.
You can do a few things to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back.
How to get rid of drain flies with vinegar?
One popular and effective method is using vinegar and baking soda reaction. Pour half a cup of salt, half a cup of baking soda, and one cup of vinegar down the drain.
The reaction will kill the larvae and, hopefully, get rid of the flies. Vinegar will kill the larvae, so flush with hot water afterward.
what insecticide kills drain flies?
You need all three of these products to get rid of drain flies effectively.
- Forid Drain Gel Cleaner,
- Gentrol IGR Aerosol, and
- Pyrid
Conclusion
Drain flies are not disease carriers and thus should not be a cause for alarm. They can be annoying, but they are relatively harmless. However, if there is an infestation, it is best to take action quickly to get rid of them.
You can use various effective methods to eliminate drain flies, both chemical and non-chemical. In conclusion, homeowners should take proper steps to control and get rid of drain flies if there is an infestation.
It includes taking care of the contaminated water and food sources and regularly cleaning the drains.