Table of Contents
The simplest method to clear out your drain fly issue is to pour boiling water carefully down your drain 1-2 times a day for about a week. This will ensure that the flies do not return overnight if the water did not catch all of the organic material built up inside.
Can’t find where drain flies are coming from?
Drain flies can come from organic buildups in any area where there is standing water. Check your bathroom drains, kitchen sink, shower, sump pump, sewage system, and even floorboards where there might be a pipe leak. Tip: Drain flies can even be found in washing machine connections and outdoor roof drainage systems.
How do I get rid of drain flies in my house?
The best way to keep drain flies out of your home is to clean your drains every other week using a mixture of salt, baking soda, and vinegar, followed by boiling water. Make sure to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible to prevent them from finding a way to their desired breeding ground.
Does dish soap Kill drain flies?
Combine equal parts dish soap and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the drain flies with this solution when you see them; the soap acts as an insecticide and kills the drain flies (but won’t put your family in harm’s way).
Do drain flies go away on their own?
These “drain flies” (also known as moth flies) are very small…about a sixth of an inch. Nine times out of ten, a drain fly problem will go away on its own. Once you get rid of the drain flies that you see, start flushing toilets and running the water in your sinks.
How long do drain flies last?
Adult drain flies usually live about two weeks, but newly emerged adults rapidly replace them. These flies are also known as moth flies due to their appearance: they are small and furry with large, ovoid wings and prominent antennae.
Why do drain flies keep coming back?
What causes drain flies? Stagnant pools of water, particularly in pipes and other drainage areas, attract drain flies. These small, gnat-like insects feed on and breed in sewage. Organic material can build up along the side of drains quickly, welcoming drain flies to eat and reproduce.
What is the best drain fly Killer?
Best Drain Fly Killers American Bio-Systems DrainGel. Lawson Drummond DF5000. Valtec Bio-Action Total Solution Gel. Pest Peeve Bye Bye Drain Flies. Green Gobbler Drain Fly Goodbye. Forid. Drano. Rid-X.
How does vinegar and baking soda get rid of drain flies?
The fizzing and bubbling of the vinegar and baking soda kills any flies, eggs, and larvae that may be hiding inside the drain while loosening any organic material that may build-up in your drain and pipes. The boiling water works to wash all the stuff down the drain.
Can drain flies lay eggs in humans?
No, drain flies (Psychodinae) do not lay eggs in humans. They are not parasitic, and the human body is an inhospitable environment for them. Their close relatives, sand flies, are not as friendly, but these are not going to be invading your home in most regions.
What temperature kills drain flies?
Do not pour insecticides down drains to kill drain flies. The drain fly life cycle takes from about 10 to 15 days at about 70° F.
Are drain flies attracted to light?
Drain flies are attracted to light and become more active at night and hovering over drains, sinks and other breeding areas. Drain flies also can breed in protected locations with constantly moist and decaying organic materials, such as under dripping pipes, leaky roofs, and refrigeration equipment.
Does boiling water kill drain flies?
A super simple fix is to pour boiling water down the drain to eliminate drain flies. Boil a medium-size pot of water once or twice per week, and pour down and around the drain. Another easy option uses baking soda: Combine 1/2 cup salt with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, and pour down the drain.
Does bleach get rid of drain flies?
Does Bleach Kill Drain Flies? While this chemical might get rid of some larvae, bleach passes quickly down the drain and does not penetrate the thick build-up where eggs are deposited by the female drain fly and larvae live. As a result, in most cases, bleach does not get rid of drain flies.
Can house flies come from drains?
Immature flies (larvae) are legless and may live in drains, standing water, rotting foods, potting soil, or garbage. Smaller house-infesting flies include drain flies, fruit flies, phorid flies, and fungus gnats. These flies rarely infest homes for long.
Can drain flies live in walls?
These pests live and breed inside your plumbing pipes, feeding on decomposing material and laying eggs within the gelatinous slime that collects along the interior walls of your drain. Adults can be spotted resting on walls and ceilings of the infested areas.
Do drain flies only come out at night?
Drain flies are most active in the evening when they congregate around sinks and drains. Before treating for drain flies, you’ll need to make sure your infestation is really coming from the drain rather than some other hidden source of moisture or decay.
How many eggs do drain flies lay?
Life Cycle: Adult females lay 30–100 eggs in sludge around sewage and drainage areas. Eggs hatch in 32–48 hours, larval stage lasts 8–24 days, pupal stage 20–40 hours.
Where do drain fly larvae come from?
Drain fly larvae grow and feed in polluted, shallow water or in highly moist organic solids. The eggs, larvae and pupae can be found in the bacterial muck, slime or gelatinous film often accumulating on the sides of drains and overflow pipes in homes, sewage disposal beds, septic tanks and wet compost.
