How To Get Drain Flies Out Of Septic Tank? (Solution)

Make up a solution of equal parts white vinegar, water and sugar and place 5-10 drops of liquid dish soap into the mixture. Place it next to the sink and flies will be drawn to the liquid and drown.

What spray kills 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). Pour about ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar into a glass and cover it with plastic wrap.

Will pouring bleach down a drain kill 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.

What does a drain fly look like?

Body: Light gray or tan body and lighter-colored wings. The body and the wings are covered with long hairs, giving the fly a fuzzy appearance. Characteristics: When at rest, the drain fly folds its wings over the body in a characteristic roof-like manner. Size: Drain flies measure about 1.5 to 5 mm long.

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.

How does vinegar 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.

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.

Where do drain flies go at night?

Drain flies rest during daylight hours on walls near drains, near plumbing fixtures, and on the sides of showers and tubs. Drain flies are attracted to light and become more active at night and hovering over drains, sinks and other breeding areas.

How does apple cider vinegar get rid of drain flies?

Pour 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar into a glass and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Poke holes in the plastic wrap with a fork and place the glass next to the sink. Flies will be attracted to the cider vinegar and work their way inside and drown.

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.

Do drain flies eventually go away?

The length of the life cycle of a drain fly varies depending on the climate and temperature of the drain, but it can last anywhere from eight to 24 days. Once you’ve wiped out their breeding ground, the adults will eventually disappear because there is nowhere left for them to deposit their eggs.

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.

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.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

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Table of Contents:

  1. What are drain flies, are drain flies harmful, and what causes drain flies are all covered in this article. Disinfect breeding sites for flies
  2. Drain Flies: How to Get Rid of Them in Steps
  3. Alternative Treatments for Drain Fly Control
  4. Drain Flies Have Returned
  5. Should I Call a Plumber or an Exterminator
  6. How Do I Prevent Drain Flies From Returning
  7. Drain Fly Solutions is based in Syracuse, New York and provides a variety of services.

Drain flies are not uncommon, although their appearance may be perplexing to some people. What is the source of their existence? What are they doing in my house? Is it possible for drain flies to harm my family? Drain flies, like any domestic pests, may be a nuisance, especially when present in high numbers. Besides becoming familiar with the techniques required to get rid of drain flies, you should also become acquainted with what drain flies are, what causes them, and how to avoid a future infestation.

What Are Drain Flies?

Drain flies are probably something you are already familiar with, even if you are not aware of it. Drain flies, also known as “Psychodidae,” are little insects that measure between 1/8 and 1/10 of an inch in length. They are wide, hairy, and generally a dark tint, as is the case with wolves. There are six legs, two sets of wings, and antennae on this fly. Drain flies are sometimes referred to as “moth flies” or “sewage flies” in some circles. Drain flies are frequently found sitting on the walls of kitchens and bathrooms, as well as near sewer drains, garbage cans, and septic tanks, among other places.

They are born with specific breathing passages that allow them to survive even when they are submerged in garbage.

Are Drain Flies Harmful?

Drain flies are generally not hazardous to humans, despite their unnerving presence, because they do not bite. The presence of high numbers of drain flies, on the other hand, might be a problem because of their proclivity to clog up sections of plumbing systems.

What Causes Drain Flies?

Drain flies are drawn to quiet, stagnant water because it is sluggish. In the event that you have spotted these pests in and around your property, it might indicate the presence of drain obstruction or water leaks. In the same manner that typical household flies enter your home, drain flies do as well: they squeeze through windows and drains, fly through open doors, or emerge from the basement.

Drain Fly Breeding Sources

In the vicinity of the source of waste to which they are drawn, such as domestic drains and sewers, drain flies reproduce and lay their eggs. These eggs will hatch in around 48 hours. They are white when they hatch into larvae and are commonly seen inside the gelatinous component of the build-up after the eggs have hatched into larvae. They will remain in this membrane until they reach maturity. While the sight of squirming larvae might be disconcerting, they are frequently beneficial since they eat away at the accumulation of waste while they are around.

Drain flies, on the other hand, reproduce rapidly, which means that once the adults have died, there will almost likely be a fresh group of larvae ready to take their place.

Steps for Getting Rid of Drain Flies

The first step in getting rid of drain flies is determining where they are coming from. Check for broken sewage lines outside, as well as the wet region beneath air conditioning units and any other areas where there is a pool of still water. Concentrate your search inside on the places where you notice the greatest number of adult drain flies. This might be in close proximity to sink and bathroom drains, toilets, showers, or floor drains, among other things. If you need assistance determining whether or not flies are present in a specific drain, you have a few possibilities.

The theory is that, if a big number of drain flies make their home in the drain, they will become stuck inside the jelly, so verifying their existence in the drain.

One possible method of removing this build-up is to use a bristles brush of plumbing grade and manually scrape the membrane away from the pipe.

Upon eradication of the source, drain flies will either go on their own or remain until the source is no longer available to them. This should only take a few of weeks at the most if there is no organic debris for them to deposit their eggs in during that time.

Natural Remedies for Drain Fly Control

It is possible to get rid of adult drain flies that have remained after they have been killed using insecticides. Set up a trap, consisting of a bowl filled with one part water, one part sugar, and one part white vinegar, as an example. Dish soap (five to eight drops) should be added. Adult drain flies should be attracted to the bowl if you leave it out during the course of the night. Another option is to make a do-it-yourself spray by mixing equal parts warm water and dish soap together. As soon as you notice adult flies, spray them.

Despite the fact that this procedure is typically untidy to clean up after, it does not entail the use of any chemicals.

How Do I Keep Drain Flies From Returning?

If you have completed the difficult task of identifying and eradicating the cause of your drain fly problem, you need take the appropriate precautions to prevent them from recurring. The most effective method of accomplishing this is to maintain your drains and pipes as clean as you can. Allowing muck to accumulate over time is not recommended. Aside from that, you should make every effort to minimize any sources of stagnant water, including repairing minor leaks around the house as needed.

Should I Call a Plumber or an Exterminator?

A plumber should be called if a large number of drain flies keep returning to your home despite your best efforts, no matter what you do. Because they feed on sewage and plumbing buildup, a plumber may need to take a closer look at the interior sections of your plumbing in order to locate and eliminate the source of the infestation. Fortunately, most plumbers are familiar with this procedure. However, while exterminators may be able to assist you in getting rid of the flies, they are not equipped to deal with the more sensitive portions of the plumbing that they may come into touch with throughout the process.

Drain Fly Solutions in Syracuse, New York

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Syracuse, New York is a top-rated plumbing business that can help you get rid of those pesky drain flies in your house. Contact us now for more information. If you have a drain fly infestation, our professional plumbers can assist you in locating the cause of the infestation by performing a plumbing diagnosis and inspection or by finding leaks in your home’s plumbing system. Why should you use Mr. Rooter Plumbing? Among the many reasons to select Mr. Rooter Plumbing are the following:

  • Pricing up front: At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we understand how crucial it is to have access to economical plumbing services. Unlike other companies, we provide upfront, flat-rate pricing that you agree to before we begin working on your property. In order for you to have complete control over your plumbing, our specialists will take the time to explain each and every step of the procedure. Customer service that is second to none: Our specialists promise to leave your house as clean as we found it, and they are committed to providing pleasant, courteous, and knowledgeable service on a consistent basis. Locally owned and operated businesses include: The fact that Mr. Rooter Plumbing has sites all throughout the United States does not detract from the fact that those stores are locally owned and run. Licensees and insurers include: Each of our plumbers is licensed and insured, which speaks volumes about the level of expertise and skill that our plumbers possess. Parts of the workmanship are guaranteed: Mr. Rooter Plumbing provides high-quality service each and every time, guaranteeing that the task is completed correctly the first time. Professionals who are courteous and in uniform: Our dependable workers are easily identified by their uniforms. Do you have a question? Our plumbing technicians are available to answer questions and do the task as fast and effectively as feasible. Availability of convenient appointment times: Availability of convenient appointment times puts the power back in your hands. For your convenience, Mr. Rooter Plumbing provides appointment times on weekends and after hours.

Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing today to receive a quote for your plumbing project. Previous PostNext Post Previous Post

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

Stagnant water or germs can collect in home drains, especially if the sink or drain is left unattended for an extended period of time. In the event that you’ve observed a sudden influx of extremely little, moth-like insects hanging out around your sinks, showers, or baths, it’s possible that you have drain flies. It is possible to have an infestation of these extremely common pests in as little as 48 hours, making it quite simple to find oneself with an infestation in a short period of time. In contrast to other pest infestations, learning how to get rid of drain flies may be a quick and straightforward process.

Here in this tutorial, we’ll address all of your concerns regarding how to get rid of drain flies and who you should contact if you need the assistance of a professional pest control firm for assistance.

What Are Drain Flies?

Drain flies are widely referred to by a variety of nicknames, including moth flies and sink flies. In terms of size, they are similar to gnats and fruit flies—between 2mm and 5mm in length—but may be differentiated by their tiny, moth-like wings and spherical, fuzzy bodies. Drain flies are further distinguished by their coloration as compared to other tiny house flies, with their hues often ranging from pale gray to black. Despite the fact that they resemble moths, these little organisms are unable to fly very far.

See also:  Why Use 2 Compartment Septic Tank? (Best solution)

Despite the fact that drain flies have a lifetime ranging from eight to 24 days, they may lay and hatch up to 300 eggs in as little as 48 hours, making it critical to get ahead of the problem before it has a chance to spread throughout your pipes.

Where Do Drain Flies Come From?

A variety of nicknames for drain flies are widespread, including moth flies and sink flies. In terms of size, they are similar to gnats and fruit flies (between 2mm and 5mm), but may be differentiated by the presence of tiny, moth-like wings and a spherical, fuzzy body. Additionally, drain flies have a different coloration from other tiny house flies, with their hues often ranging from pale gray to black in appearance. However, despite their appearance, these little organisms are incapable of flying long distances.

It’s critical to get ahead of the problem before the flies have a chance to spread through your pipes.

  • Kitchen and outdoor sinks
  • Shower and bathtub drains
  • Basement sinks (particularly those that have been ignored for a long period of time)
  • And toilets. Sewers
  • Septic tanks
  • Sewage treatment plants Soil that has been contaminated by sewage

One thing that all of these locations have in common is low, stagnant water levels. During periods of stagnant water and sewage accumulation, drain flies can deposit their eggs in the film that accumulates on the interior of pipes and drains. As a result, drain flies may be drawn to the following items:

  • Storm drains with standing water
  • Wet mops and buckets
  • Compost pilings Garbage cans, birdbaths, and barns that are surrounded by water

What Do Drain Flies Eat?

In order to survive, drain flies must feed largely on organic material found in standing water, which may include sewerage or other polluted water. This occurs most frequently when a film forms on the inside of pipes due to condensation, usually in a humid environment with standing water. As a result, drain flies find your drains to be an excellent environment in which to live and breed. A gathering of rubbish, animal waste, or compost may also be a source of food and sewage for these creatures.

Are Drain Flies Harmful?

In a nutshell, drain flies do not pose a threat to human health. Drain flies are not disease-carrying insects, despite the fact that they consume and live in sewage and germs. However, when in large numbers, they can transport bacteria with them. Overall, they have not been shown to be harmful to your health, despite the fact that they are a major annoyance in your house.

As previously said, drain flies have the ability to multiply fast, resulting in the proliferation of nests throughout your pipes that may be extremely difficult to remove if left unchecked.

How Can You Tell If You Have Drain Flies?

If you’ve begun to see these small moth-like flies in and around your house, you may not be aware that you have a developing infestation in your plumbing. There are a few surefire techniques to determine whether or not there are any more drain flies living and breeding in your pipes.

Duct Tape Test

Using duct tape, cover the top of your drain and leave it sealed for at least 24 hours. Drain flies will ultimately attempt to rise to the surface, but will become entangled in the tape as they exit the system. Not only does this get rid of some of the flies in your drain, but it can also give you an estimate of how large the infestation has grown over the course of time. Repeat the process multiple nights in a row to gain a thorough understanding of the problem.

Check for Larvae

Drain flies are known to deposit their eggs in the organic material that accumulates just at the opening of your drain’s main orifice. Remove the drain cover and check for thin, tube-like drain-fly larvae by scraping some of the slime off the sides and underneath the drain cover. Even if you don’t see any eggs here, but are confident that you have an infestation, this might be a clue that the eggs are being placed further inside your plumbing system.

Ways to Get Rid of Drain Flies

It is possible to use a natural or chemical method to get rid of drain fly infestations; however, this will depend on the severity of the infestation. In many cases, basic household things such as items found in your kitchen or beneath the sink may be used to effectively eliminate drain flies rapidly.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Drain Flies

When it comes to removing drain fly larvae and removing any incentive for drain flies to return, just washing out your drains can be effective in certain circumstances. Use these strategies to handle your infestation, both as a preventative measure and as a management strategy.

Boiling Water

The quickest and most effective way to resolve your drain fly problem is to gently pour boiling water down your drain 1-2 times a day for approximately a week. This will ensure that the flies do not return the next morning if the water did not catch all of the organic material that had accumulated within.

Baking Soda + Salt + Vinegar

Combine this tried-and-true pantry concoction to make a natural cleaning solution that you can pour down your drain overnight. The baking soda expands as a result of the vinegar’s presence, reaching a greater area than boiling water. After allowing the solution to rest until the next morning, flush the pipe with hot water to clean it.

Soap + Water + Sugar + Vinegar

Combine the ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture. To attract drain flies to your sweet solution, leave the bowl out for several days close by the drain. The flies will be trapped in the water due to the thickness of the soap that has been added.

Apple Cider Vinegar + Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap may be used to make another typical DIY fly trap by wrapping a bowl, jar, or mug with it.

Fill the bottom of the container with apple cider vinegar to a depth of one inch. Using small holes at the top of the plastic, you may let fly larvae in while preventing them from escaping.

Drain + Duct Tape

Use our drain fly detection approach, which we discussed above, to eliminate some of your drain fly problems as well. Sealing up your drain with duct tape overnight for several nights in a row can help to catch any flies that attempt to reach the surface of the water.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies with Chemicals

Because drain flies frequently congregate in or around your pipes, basic drain cleaners and chemicals for clearing drains are effective at eliminating drain flies. When using chemical cleaners, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions and avoid mixing them with other chemical or natural cleaning solutions.

Traditional Drain Cleaner

It is possible to wipe up the residual residue in your drain after flushing it with warm water and using a metal pipe brush. Drano and Bio-Clean are two solutions that may be used for this purpose. If required, double-check if it is okay to use these goods more than once and whether they may be used in drains other than those in the bathroom.

Chemical Sprays and Repellents

In many cases, popular pest control products, which are generally intended to fight fruit flies or gnats, can be used to kill drain flies if the pests are stated on the product label. Because many of them include caustic chemicals, you should determine if you should keep them out of the kitchen and whether you need be especially cautious about causing harm to your drains.

  1. It is safe to flush Green Gobbler down drains, septic systems, and even garbage disposals because it is an effective fly killer. This gel-based drain cleaner is great for problematic pipes that require an expanded cleaner to catch any further nests or flies
  2. It is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. American BioSystems: Typically advised for business drains, this is an extreme alternative for removing germs out of drains, particularly when dealing with a drain fly infestation
  3. However, it is not recommended for residential drains.

How to Prevent Drain Flies

Drain flies are attracted to stagnant pools of water that contain sewage and other organic matter, according to the CDC. Drain fly infestations may be prevented by maintaining clean pipes that are cleaned out on a regular basis, either with water or, in more severe situations, with cleaning solutions, according to the manufacturer. Using a stopper to shut a drain that is routinely left unattended for days or weeks will prevent drain flies from establishing a nest there in the meanwhile, according to the EPA.

Never keep soiled mops in buckets of water, and make sure your septic system is in good working order.

It is critical to take preventative measures in order to identify and treat a potential problem.

Professional Drain Fly Control

Drain flies may be eliminated quickly and effectively by experienced specialists using tried and true methods. We’ve looked into the best pest control companies in the country. Based on our years of expertise, pricing, and customer feedback, we’ve selected the following products for drain fly management.

Terminix

All states, with the exception of Alaska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, are served by TheTerminixteam’s vast pest management services. Terminix offers several different tiers of programs, each tailored to meet your specific requirements.

This pest control company provides exceptional customer service, offers flexible pricing, and has decades of expertise in the industry. If you would like to receive a free estimate from Terminix, please contact the firm at 866-569-4035 or complete this short form.

Orkin

In business for more than a century, Orkin has been resolving pest management difficulties for households across the country. Orkin is accessible in all states with the exception of Alaska, Wyoming, and South Dakota. The organization uses Integrated Pest Management techniques and has received good customer feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you dealing with drain fly problems that won’t go away and don’t know where to begin? A quick reminder of all you need to know about preventing the situation from getting out of hand is provided below.

What causes drain flies?

Not sure where to begin if you’re dealing with recurrent drain fly problems. All you need to know about preventing the situation from getting out of hand is summarized here for your convenience.

How long does it take to get rid of drain flies?

The majority of drain fly infestations may be controlled in less than a week with consistent treatment. A pest control specialist may be required if you have a widespread problem with your pipes. This will help you identify and address the source of the larger issue.

Will Drano kill drain flies?

When it comes to drain flies, Drano is usually effective, especially when it comes to a Drano version that expands within the pipes. In order to achieve long-term success, you will also need to take preventative measures to ensure that the drain flies do not reappear.

Will drain flies go away on their own?

It is unusual that drain flies will go away on their own if you leave standing water in your pipes or on your property to continue to accumulate. Drain flies may even survive the winter in warm homes because of the warmth. After washing out your system, be sure to take precautionary measures to keep drain flies under control. When DIY methods fail and the flies continue to return, we recommend consulting with a professional in order to ensure that you are addressing the entire problem properly.

Drain Flies in Septic Tanks

Having discovered that you have drain flies in your septic tank should not have come as a huge surprise. Indeed, one of the more frequent names for Psychodidae is sewer flies, which is a term that many people are familiar with (or gnats). Septic tanks, along with drainpipes, are two of their favorite urban dwelling sites they’ve ever encountered. It is their manner of life that is the cause of drain flies in your septic tank, if you are wondering why you have them in your tank. Sewer gnats spend their whole lives in highly moist and humid environments, where they feed on a wide variety of organic materials and waste buildups of all kinds.

Additionally, they reproduce in places where the larvae have the highest chance of surviving, such as the thin jellylike coatings that may be seen in septic tank field lines or in sewage treatment plants.

Every now and then, they emerge from their breeding locations for a short period of time (usually at night), but the majority of the time, they spend their days within the pipes and tanks, where they have access to water and food.

If you have a drain fly or worm problem, try the InVade Bio Drain gel, which contains microorganisms, citrus oil, and is free of harsh chemicals. It works great! More information may be found by clicking here.

Are Drain Flies Good for Septic Tanks?

Drain flies, on the other hand, are not considered hazardous to people since they do not bite frequently. Another advantage of having a healthy and moderate amount of flies is that they feed on the organic debris that people produce, which helps to keep the tank cleaner. But how do you keep the correct amount of flies under control without allowing them to reproduce in such large numbers that you end up with a significant infestation? If this problem is not addressed immediately, it has the potential to become a very expensive problem to resolve.

To say nothing of the fact that all of the bacteria they are transporting from the septic tank might end up on your indoor surfaces.

Drain flies are often not considered a problem by most people when they are not irritating them, owing to their tiny size and lack of tendency to fly much (they are known to be quite the unlucky fliers, actually).

How Do I Get Rid of Drain Flies in My Septic Tank?

If you decide to get rid of sewer gnats while they are still in your septic tank, there are a few things you may try first before calling an exterminator to come out and treat the problem. Simple home remedies are most likely effective if you catch the problem at an early stage, when there aren’t too many flies around to complicate matters. Gnat larvae can be killed using readily accessible materials such as diluted bleach or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. These items can work wonders.

  • The use of strong pesticides to eliminate both flies and their breeding places will be quite effective, however these chemicals are not recommended for use in septic tanks.
  • As a result, the use of heavy chemicals may cause your sewage system to become utterly useless.
  • In addition to these solutions, there are also commercially accessible options now, such as new probiotic gels, which will essentially turn all of the gnat feeding supplies into minerals and water.
  • Alternatively, it might be harmful to the environment.
  • For those looking for a third option among environmentally friendly items, here is one that has attracted our attention on the internet: Septic tank treatment using BioWonder.
  • Despite the fact that we have not yet had the opportunity to try it out, we have carefully picked some of the most viewed customer reviews about it and are sharing the most important aspects with you.
  • When compared to comparable sewage systems in similar homes, the septic pumper in some of the families that used the product appears to be far cleaner now than it was previously.
  • They claim that not only has the device eliminated flies, but it has also eliminated offensive smells.
  • According to the information accessible on the internet, this appears to be a potentially successful product in the fight against flies in septic tanks and other similar situations.
  • If you decide to attempt this or any other commercial treatment to deal with your gnat problem, please make sure to properly follow the manufacturer’s directions while applying it to the affected area.
  • If you have an infestation of any type, this is always the most surefire method of dealing with the problem.

Maintaining pipes and tanks on a regular basis is vital in order to ensure that flies do not reappearance. A easy solution is to run some drain gel down the pipes on a regular basis to prevent clogging. Alternatively, you may grow some fly-repelling plants in your house.

Frequenty Asked Questions

Drain flies are known to reside in septic tanks. Drain flies (also known as sewer flies or gnats) may live and breed in septic tanks, which is true. They can also be found in the drain pipes, sewers, and soils around your property. What is the best way to get rid of sewage flies in my septic tank? Natural cures or commercial septic tank solutions may be used to get rid of sewer flies in a septic tank, and they are both effective. Some of them are 100 percent biodegradable, which means they will not harm the ecology of your septic tank or the environment.

  • Is it possible for gnats to originate from a septic tank?
  • These little mammals dwell and breed in the area, and they devour organic materials as part of their diet.
  • What is causing the gnats to come out of my drain?
  • It is typical to see gnats and drain flies around the shower, toilet, and even the kitchen sink since these insects like areas where there is plenty of water.
  • It works great!
See also:  What Can Damage Septic Tank Lines? (Solution)

Keep Your Sinks Clean to Avoid Drain Flies from Moving In

When you see an insect inside your home, it’s preferable to take action as soon as possible to prevent them from reproducing. Drip flies, like troublesome fruit flies, bothersome gnats, and even fleas, are another type of frequent domestic insect that, well, annoys us. Drain flies, which are only one-eighth of an inch in length, like to concentrate in areas where there is standing water. They’re gray or taupe in color and have short, rounded wings. They’re also known as moth flies, sewer flies, or filter flies due to their location in sewers.

Drain flies may survive for up to three weeks, and fresh eggs can hatch every 48 hours or so, which is astonishing considering their size.

How do you get rid of drain flies?

Most drain fly problems may be resolved in about a week if they are cleaned on a regular basis and given careful attention. The following are five methods for getting rid of drain flies:

  1. Starting with your regular cleaning solution, clean the sink and drains thoroughly. Make use of a pipe brush to clean the area surrounding and within the drain Drain flies may be eliminated by pouring boiling water down the drain, which is a very easy solution. Once or twice a week, bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil and pour it down the drain and around the drain trap
  2. Another simple solution is to use baking soda: Pour down the drain a mixture of 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup baking soda, and 1 cup vinegar, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Finish by pouring boiling water down the drain the next morning
  3. Allow to sit overnight. If you want a more powerful solution to get rid of drain flies, consider using a store-bought drain cleaner such as Drano or Bio-Clean. Using one of these chemical unclogging treatments will clean up the drain and pipes, as well as remove any materials or debris that may be forming a breeding habitat for drain fly eggs, so preventing fresh eggs from developing. If you’re still seeing adult drain flies about, you may set up an apple cider vinegar trap in a shallow dish covered with plastic wrap to catch them. The act of poking holes in plastic wrap will attract flies in while preventing their escape

What causes drain flies?

Drain flies are attracted to moisture—particularly stagnant, shallow water—as well as organic material, and they are most commonly found near sources of food or bacteria, such as sinks and showers. They are generally found in locations that are not used regularly, such as a basement or workshop sink, and they are also seen after being away from home for an extended period of time, such as on vacation.

They can also appear in an area that appears to be pretty clean. This material has been imported from another source. Visiting their website may allow you to access the same stuff in a different format, or it may provide you with even more information than you could get elsewhere.

How do you know if you have drain flies?

If you find one or two, you may put them through this overnight test: Place strips of tape (sticky side down) over the drain that is causing the problem (see illustration). As they attempt to flee, they will become entrapped on the tape, and you will have a good idea of how many flies you are dealing with at any given time.

Are drain flies harmful?

Nope! They do not bite or spread disease to humans, but they are an indication that your kitchen may benefit from a thorough cleaning, especially if you want to avoid more insects such as roaches from joining the festivities.

Fight drain flies with these kitchen cabinet staples:

Bio-clean Drain and Septic Tank CleanerBio-clean Drain and Septic Tank Cleaner Cleanamazon.com $49.95 Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Dish Soap is a dishwashing soap made by Mrs. Meyer. Amazon.com is Mrs. Meyer’s online store. $11.67 Pipe Cleaning Brushes Made of Nylon XIONLAB Drain Opener with a Safer DesignXion Labamazon.com $22.98s Amy Mitchell is a woman who lives in the United States. At Country Living Magazine, Amy Mitchell is the managing editor, and she oversees the whole publication. This material was generated and maintained by a third party and imported onto this website in order to assist users in providing their email addresses for further consideration.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

Cleaning the dishes is a chore that no one enjoys, but you know what’s even worse? Doing the dishes while dealing with drain flies is a nightmare! Drain flies are little gnats or moths that congregate near your drains in order to take advantage of the moisture and nutrients they supply. Drain flies are not hazardous to you, yet they may be quite bothersome. It is necessary to clean and disinfect the drain in order to eliminate the flies’ eggs as well as the flies themselves. If you want assistance in getting rid of drain flies, please check our price page.

Drain flies multiply extraordinarily quickly, and before you know it, you’ve turned your home into something akin to a drain fly motel.

We can assist you if you have a pest problem at your residence or place of business.

We also provide service to Sulphur Springs, Texas.

What are drain flies?

A drain fly is a little insect that lives in the area around your drain. However, they go by a variety of names. Moth flies, sewage flies, filter insects, and even fruit flies are all names given to them by some individuals. They are, on the other hand, very different from fruit flies. Drain flies, despite the fact that they might appear similar, congregate near your drain and have a more moth-like appearance rather than a fly-like appearance. Drain flies are real flies, although they are incredibly small in comparison to other species.

However, once they begin to breed and congregate around your sinks, you will become aware of their presence.

The fly deposit their eggs in the drain and overflow pipes of your home or business. However, you’re more likely to find them in your kitchen sink since they feed on the sewage and rotten food that collects there. In your bathrooms, on the other hand, it’s not unheard of to see them.

What do drain flies look like?

Drain flies are technically flies, although they have the appearance of moths. The majority of the time, these flies are dark in color and brown in appearance. They have furry wings that extend out like moth’s wings, and the veins on their furry wings are as thin as a thread. They have long antennae that seem feathery or striped, and they have a tuft of hair on the top of their heads. Their distinguishing qualities are as follows:

  • At 1/8th inch in diameter, the body is little. Whether it’s black or brown
  • Wings with thin, straight veins with a striped pattern
  • Wings that resemble moths extend out
  • They have a tuft of fur on their head. Their heads are adorned with straight, feather-like antennae.

What causes drain flies?

With a 1/8thinch thickness, the body is small. Colors such as black or brown wings with narrow, straight veins and a striped pattern on them wings that resemble moths extend; Its hair is bunched up on its head. On their heads, they have straight, feather-like antennas.

Do drain flies bite?

Drain flies are not aggressive and will not bite. Whether they bite or not, no one like having bugs in their home. Even though drain flies are an annoyance, they will not bite you in the manner of other flies or flying insects that you could encounter.

Are drain flies harmful?

Surely, any insect that consumes sewage cannot be beneficial, can it? Drain flies, as unpleasant as they are, and as disgusting as their diets may be, are not hazardous to us. There have been no reports of drain flies causing harm to humans or spreading illnesses or diseases, so you don’t have to be concerned about that! Nonetheless, they are inconvenient and might lead you to become upset.

How to get rid of drain flies

There are five natural methods for getting rid of drain flies, which are listed below. These do-it-yourself ways for getting rid of drain flies can assist you in interrupting the reproduction cycle, hence reducing the quantity of drain flies that you encounter. It is possible to get rid of them rather easily if you notice the problem early enough.

  1. Make extensive use of the pipe brush to clean the pipe to the maximum extent possible. Brushing the pipe removes the eggs and larvae that have accumulated in it. After that, flush the pipe with hot water and sterilize the pipe brush to ensure that you do not unintentionally harbor larvae. You may also make a trap out of sugar, water, white vinegar, and dish soap to catch flies. Combine equal parts water, sugar, and white vinegar in a mixing bowl. Afterwards, add a couple of drops of dish soap to the container as well. The flies are frequently attracted to the scent of this soap and end up in the water
  2. Nonetheless, boiling water: While boiling water can kill the larvae, it will do little to help the flies that are already swarming around. Pour a saucepan of boiling water down your drain twice a week to dislodge and remove any larvae and eggs that have accumulated
  3. Sprinkle a mixture of 12 cup salt and a 12 cup baking soda in your sink and down the drain to get rid of odors. Afterwards, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain to clean up the pipes. As a result, make sure that your sink or pipe has adequate space to accommodate the surplus gas. Allow it to foam overnight, and then pour boiling water down it in the morning to remove the froth. Apple cider vinegar: If you already have flies in your house, use a bowl of apple cider vinegar to kill them. Pour as much as you like into a bowl and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to keep it fresh. Then, using a little needle, puncture a few small holes in the plastic wrap. The flies will be trapped in this manner.

Call a Professional

Due to their rapid reproduction, drain flies can be quite difficult to eradicate in a lot of cases. If you’ve tried everything you can think of and still haven’t gotten anywhere, you’re certainly not alone. In that scenario, it may be necessary to seek expert assistance. An exterminator is well-versed in the procedures that must be followed in order to disrupt the drain flies’ reproduction cycle. They have superior medicines that are more effective right away, and the problem will be resolved much more quickly.

No one likes flies buzzing around their house, dishes, and food—especially not bugs that eat sewage—and no one wants them to consume their food.

Conclusion: How to get rid of drain flies

If you live in or around the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, you are not alone. The last thing you want to come across when you’re walking out the door to the Rangers Stadium or the Star is a swarm of strange-looking moths on your way to work. Calling Vinx Pest Control will save you both time and aggravation in the long run. We’re a family-owned and run business that understands how to deal with the critters that live in our area, including drain flies. We encourage you to contact us right away to notify us about your problem(s).

We’re so confident in our ability to assist that we’re willing to guarantee our service, which means we’ll keep working until we’ve resolved the situation! Our 4.9-star rating on Google and over 200 Google reviews ensure that we will do the project to your complete satisfaction.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies, Step by Step

A perennial concern, whether you live in an apartment or a single-family house, is the presence of flies. Leaving the door or window open for an extended period of time may let these pests to enter, and leaving rubbish out for an extended period of time will attract even more. Drain flies are very bothersome and difficult to get rid of, and they may breed quickly. When it comes to drain flies, this article tells you how to recognize them, gives you step-by-step instructions for getting rid of drain flies, and helps you evaluate when it may be necessary to call a professional for assistance.

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What do drain flies look like?

Unlike most other insects, drain flies are incredibly tiny, measuring between 2 and 5 millimeters in length. It is common for these flies to have little spherical wings that are gray in hue. They are also known as filter flies or sewage flies, because they are drawn to standing water since they are unable to fly well. Jumping is the most common method of getting from one surface to another. They may survive for up to three weeks on average, thanks to their eggs hatching every 48 hours and their ability to reproduce quickly.

Photograph by Nitin Chandra / Shutterstock

How do you get drain flies?

Most of the time, drain flies do not get entry into your home through your drains. Drain flies, while they may concentrate around drains and sinks that have standing water, mainly enter the home through extremely small openings in the foundation. Even if you have properly closed your windows and doors, it is possible to have a drain fly infestation despite your efforts. Drain flies do not represent a hazard to humans or animals in the short future, other than being a nuisance. Due to their tendency to concentrate around standing water and sewage, there is a very small chance that drain flies are disease vectors, but this is extremely unlikely.

How to check for drain flies

A majority of the time, drain flies do not enter the residence through the drains. Drain flies, while they may concentrate around drains and sinks that have standing water, mainly enter the residence through extremely small breaches in the walls and ceiling. It is possible to have a drain fly infestation even if you have properly closed your windows and doors. However, other than the fact that they are annoying, drain flies do not constitute a hazard. Because drain flies like to concentrate around standing water and sewage, there is a small but real potential that they might be a disease carrier.

How long can drain flies infestations last?

An infestation of drain flies can endure for up to 20 days, which corresponds to the length of the insect’s lifecycle. Drain flies may multiply swiftly and repeat the cycle all over again if you don’t capture them early on in the infestation. Immediately remove all standing water, sewage, and anything else that stinks if you notice a drain fly infestation. This will assist in shortening the overall duration of the infestation.

How to get rid of drain flies, step by step

If you can understand how to get rid of drain gnats and follow these methods, you will most likely not need to seek expert assistance in the majority of situations.

The elimination process should be started as soon as possible after identifying an infestation since drain flies have the ability to lay eggs, hatch, and continue the life cycle over and over again.

Step 1: Unclog any drains

Drain flies are most content when they’ve discovered a plugged or slow-moving drain to feed on. Make sure you take care of these drains first, by unclogging them, before proceeding.

Step 2: Clean the drains

You’ll need to clean out your drains of any rotting matter that has accumulated. Run warm water down the drain and use an asnaket to remove as much as you can from the drain before starting the cleaning process. Snakes are gadgets that are commonly used to unclog drains and are comprised of a metal hose. They are quite successful at doing so. When cleaning, be sure to use a soft scrubbing motion to get rid of any remaining filth.

Step 3: Clean the U-trap

To clean the U-trap that is placed beneath your sink, you must first open it. Drain gnats will also frequently concentrate in this area.

Step 4: Use an enzyme cleaner

Pour an enzyme cleanser or Drano down the drain after cleaning your drains with a snake to eliminate any particles that may have remained after the cleaning. However, while Drano will assist in completing the task, the enzyme cleaner gives the most thorough coverage inside the pipe and leaves behind a coating of chemical that assures the smooth passage of filth and particles in the future.

Step 5: Rinse your drain

It’s time to flush your pipes with warm water once the prescribed period of time has gone after you put the enzyme cleanser or Drano into them. Allow for two to three minutes of continuous running water before shutting off the water. Following these measures should successfully eradicate the nesting environment for any drain flies that may have gotten into your drain. If you continue to see a considerable number of drain flies after two weeks, you’ll need to inspect and clean the drains throughout the rest of the home using the same procedure you used for the first.

Products you can use to treat a drain flies infestation

  • This gel solution, which works on both drain flies and fruit flies, is easy to use and may be put down the drain after running warm water
  • It is non-toxic. It combines citrus oil and bacteria to target a wide range of flies, which includes drain flies, in the drain system. InVade BioDrain Solution: Pest Peeve: This drain treatment has both chemical and natural substances, which is a source of contention. Moreover, once the treatment is done, a pleasant grape aroma remains in the drain. Drain Gel by American Bio-Systems: This drain and fruit fly killer use a gel to prevent new infestations of the pest.

Don’t want to use chemical cleaners? Here’s how to get rid of drain flies naturally

When seeking for an efficient approach to eliminate drain flies, chemical solutions aren’t always the best option. You might be able to get away with natural, at-home cures if you have all of the essential ingredients on hand. To begin, get an ametal snake and carefully push it around the drain as much as you can till it stops. After that, flush the drain with hot water. Fill a basin halfway with equal parts sugar and vinegar, and then add up to 10 drops of dish soap to see whether you still have any flies on the premises.

Drain flies will be attracted to the fragrance of your concoction and will drown as soon as they land in the bowl.

Combine the ingredients in a basin and pour down the drain.

When to call a professional exterminator to treat drain flies

More than 20 days is the maximum amount of time a drain fly infection should last. If you’ve tried to remove drain flies by yourself using the procedures above on all of your drains and the flies are still visible in your house, hiring a professional exterminator may be your best choice for getting rid of them.

How to keep drain flies out of your home

Drain flies, in contrast to other insects, have the capacity to enter your home through the small spaces in the screens of your window and door frames. Drain flies will find a way inside your home if they detect a scent that appeals to them. The most effective method of keeping drain flies out of your home is to clean your drains every two weeks using a solution of salt, baking soda, and vinegar, followed by boiling water.

As much as possible, keep your doors and windows closed to prevent them from finding a way into your home and establishing a breeding colony. Finally, because drain flies are attracted to standing water and sewage, make sure that any standing water is removed and that the area is thoroughly cleaned.

The bottom line on drain flies

Drain flies are not considered to be disease vectors and hence pose minimal threat. Despite the fact that they are typically located near polluted water, they do not go far from their food source, nor do they survive long enough to travel vast distances on their own own. Regardless of whether or not an infestation is visible, homeowners should take the necessary actions to eliminate it and develop a strategy for frequent drain cleaning to avoid future problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a variety of drain fly species to choose from? Drain flies are classified into six subfamilies, with a total of 2,600 distinct species. The great majority of species do not carry any illness, yet the vast majority of species dwell in humid conditions. After utilizing a drain treatment, how long should I wait before running warm water down the drain? The length of time you must wait is determined on the therapy. While most manufacturers recommend allowing the chemical to remain in the drain overnight, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions when using a chemical drain cleaner.

In areas where there is a lot of sewage and contamination, female drain flies will lay anywhere from 30 to 100 eggs just above the surface of the water.

Drain Flies

Chris Sansone, Rick Minzenmayer, and Bastiaan M. Drees**Texas A&M University System Extension entomologist and Extension agent—entomology (pecans) are all members of the Texas A&M University System’s entomology team. Adult Drain FlySmall flies in the home are a typical source of irritation. Flies are classified as Diptera in the scientific community, which means they have only one set of wings on their wings in most cases. Halteres are threadlike, knobbed appendages on the underside of the wings of these insects, which serve as their second pair of wings.

  • Drain flies, fruit flies, fungus gnats, mosquitoes, and midges are just a few of the little bugs that can infest your house.
  • If you have an infestation, the first step is to identify which of these pests is causing the problem.
  • Most of the time, they may be found among fruit and vegetable peelings, decaying fruits, and other similarly flavored things.
  • Fungus gnats have black wings and are not fuzzy in appearance, as is common with other gnats.
  • Fungus gnat larvae often grow in the potting medium of houseplants.

Drain flies are often referred to as moth flies due to their fuzzy look, which is common among them. They are dark gray to black in color and may be found around sinks and baths, among other places. This fly is a member of the Psychodidae family of flies.

Biology and Habits

Drain flies are little (1/6 to 1/5 inch long), black, and thickly coated with hairs when they are in their adult stage. When they are at rest, they fold their huge wings over their bodies, giving them the appearance of a moth or a butterfly. They are poor flyers, barely managing to go a few feet at a time. They are at their most active in the late evening hours. Females lay eggs regardless of whether they are mated or not. Egg masses contain between 30 to 100 eggs, which hatch in less than 48 hours into little (3/8 inch) legless larvae that are pale in the center and darker at the ends, and which are pale in the centre and darker at the ends.

The larvae feed on fungus, bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms found in the liquid or slime layers that form around trash in drains, sewage treatment beds, and other bodies of water, as well as in standing water.

Larvae are capable of surviving high temperatures and low oxygen environments.

Adults can only survive for 3 to 4 days without food, but they can survive for 1 to 3 weeks if they have access to nectar or other liquid carbohydrate meals.

Control

Drain fly larvae are really advantageous because they break down organic waste into water-soluble chemicals, which makes them more readily available for disposal. Adult flies, on the other hand, are a nuisance. Even though they are not able to bite, they can get so numerous indoors that they cluster around windows and around light fixtures, as well as around shower and bathtub drains, as well as around sinks and floor drains. When it comes to drain fly problems, the goal is to identify and eradicate the cause of the problem—that is, the locations where excess moisture and organic material have accumulated.

  • Flooding can occur in several places: damaged or faulty septic lines
  • Rainwater-prone areas
  • Areas where air conditioning condensate lines drain
  • Areas where algae or mold grows on the soil or foundation
  • And beneath air conditioning units on the roofs of commercial buildings or units adjacent to a building.

A neighbor’s yard, neighboring shallow pools, or sewage treatment facilities, particularly those that are upwind from the property, may also be a source of infestation for the homeowner. If this is the case, notify the individuals in charge of the contaminated regions. Infestations can occur in the following areas of the home:

  • Sink and bathtub/shower drains
  • Floor drains in commercial buildings and basements
  • Condensate pipes for icemakers
  • And loose ceramic floor tiles where water may gather are all examples of places where water can accumulate.

Sink and bathtub/shower drains; floor drains in commercial buildings and basements; condensate pipes for icemakers; and loose ceramic floor tiles where water may accumulate are all examples of places where water might collect.

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