Question: Where Do Drain Flies Come From

Table of Contents

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.

How do drain flies get in your house?

Drain flies do not come up from your pipes or drains, rather they come from outdoors to the drain when they smell the organic matter they need to breed. Drain Flies get into your home through tiny holes. Drain flies are most active in the evening when they congregate around sinks and drains.

How do I permanently get rid of drain flies?

Pour in 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda plus a cup of white vinegar. Allow it to work its magic overnight then flush the drain with hot or boiling water the next morning. This will sanitize the drain and kill the flies and their eggs.

Where do drain flies lay their eggs?

Drain flies gather, mate, and lay eggs in moisture or standing water. The slimy film that forms in sewers and drains is a favorite breeding spot. Putting off regular cleaning and maintenance of these areas may attract the pests and offer them a place to feed and develop.

Can drain flies come from the toilet?

Conclusion. There might be drain flies coming from your toilet, but they are more likely to come from your sink, tub, or shower drain. If they come from the toilet, the most likely culprit is the closet flange, which requires removing the toilet to access. Carefully remove the toilet and clean the flange thoroughly.

Will 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.

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.

Why do drain flies keep coming back?

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.

Is it safe to pour bleach down the drain?

Bleach and cleaning fluids create toxic gasses when mixed together. If you pour bleach and other cleaning agents down your sink drains, and they mix in your pipes, you can contaminate the air in your home with the resulting gas created. The following items should never be poured down the sink with bleach: Vinegar.

What is the lifespan of a drain fly?

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. Adults live about two weeks.

Why do I suddenly have so many flies in my house?

The most common reason for flies swarming all over your house is an infestation inside or nearby your home. If you suddenly see a swarm of flies that means dozens of eggs have already hatched and developed into flies. The source is likely inside your house, garage, attic or garden.

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 drain flies look like?

Adult drain flies are tiny (1/5 to 1/6 inch long), fuzzy, dark or grayish insects with the body and wings densely covered with hairs. The antennae are long (13 segments), with each segment being bead-like and having a whorl of long hairs.

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.

Can’t figure out 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. Look for multiple flies hanging out on the walls near these possible sources.

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.

Can drain flies come through air vents?

Then, this summer came the drain flies. We checked all the drains and found nothing. They were coming up through the vents and now through our furnace. However, as long as there is damp soil or a possible leak from plumbing lines, drain flies will continue to be a problem.

Why do I have drain flies in my bedroom?

Drain flies breed in standing water or pipes where there is organic matter buildup. The flies feed on the buildup and multiply very quickly. Another place to check is any plant pots, or window planters, which could become breeding grounds for multiple species of flies, including fungus gnats.

Can drain flies come from outside?

Contrary to popular belief, drain flies don’t come up through the drain. Rather, they come in from outside, looking for water — the more disgusting, the better — and once they find it in your drains, they set up residence and gorge themselves on their standard diet of the sewage and bacteria found in these places.