Habitat. Adult drain flies can be found resting on the walls of bathrooms, kitchens, or in basements. They are often seen on inside bathtubs and shower stalls during the day. They become more active at night, hovering over drains, sinks, and other breeding areas.
Behavior and Habitat of Drain Flies
Their larvae feed on the organic matter present in these locations, including decaying vegetation and trapped debris. Drain flies are primarily nocturnal and are most active during the evening.
Peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils are especially beneficial. Pour a few drops of the chosen oil with water down the toilet. The oils' pungent aroma repels drain flies and disturbs their breeding cycle. To keep the solution effective, reapply it every few days.
During the day, you'll notice drain flies resting on the wall since they aren't good fliers. At night, when they are active, they will congregate towards light sources, like lampshades. They will also feed and breed at night, so you'll see them near food sources or breeding areas.
If you're unsure which drain is the source, line a clear plastic cup with a very light coating of vegetable oil or petroleum jelly and invert over the suspected drain for several days. This will help catch emerging adults and identify breeding sites.
Mix together 1/2 cup of salt, 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar. Pour the mixture down the drain. Let sit overnight, then flush the drain with hot water in the morning. This should kill all flies and the organic material they've been feeding on.
An ongoing or recurring infestation, despite careful sanitation of all drains, can indicate a broken pipe or leak under a slab or in a crawlspace beneath the home.
If your drain fly issue persists, consider using commercial drain cleaners such as Drano. These solutions are formulated to clear out the drains and pipes effectively, removing any debris that might serve as a breeding spot for drain flies. Using these products can aid in preventing new eggs from hatching.
A dried-out p-trap allows for flies to access the drain through rooftop vent traps.
Bleach will absolutely kill drain flies.
Vinegar and baking soda: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar down the drain.
Create a fly and wasp repellent.
This DIY pest repellant should be a staple in the Southern home. Pour equal parts water and Pine-Sol in a spray bottle to spritz on outdoor furniture, the deck, and indoor areas where flies are most likely to flock, such as kitchen countertops.
Combing, boiling water, vinegar and baking soda will kill drain flies, but will also help remove all the flies breeding ground which includes hair, grime and grease. It will create a chemical reaction and an clear the blockages caused by organic matter in the drainpipe.
Drain flies are most often the result of a drain or sewer clog, one that limits the flow of wastewater. Unused toilets, refrigerator drains and leaking pipes can also cause them. As we previously mentioned, these insects thrive in stagnant water. What's more stagnant than a backed up drain?
The most glaring problem that drain flies may cause you is a health code violation. Drain flies are not known to cause diseases to humans, but they are known to trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions because of the dust and fragments from their bodies.
Trapped Sewage
Trapped waste that is part of a clog in your drain pipe is also what causes drain flies to infiltrate your home. They love sewage and will look to inhabit and reproduce inside your pipe. This is another reason why it's crucial to deal with clogged drains immediately.
Learn the Pest Biology
Knowing the life cycle helps you fight fly infestations. 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.
How do you get rid of drain flies permanently? Clean your sink: Start with cleaning your sink and drain with your usual cleaning solution. Use a pipe brush to scrub around and inside the drain. Try boiling water: A super simple fix is to pour boiling water down the drain to eliminate drain flies.
The average cost for drain fly pest control services is $200. However, the price can range from as low as $100 to $500 in some cases, depending on the severity of the infestation and the size of the area that needs to be treated.
Furthermore, there are essential oils that have insect-repellent properties, which can help deter drain flies, including peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender oils. To use these oils as a deterrent, just dilute a few drops in water and use a spray bottle to wash down the areas that are infested.
HydroScrub® Jetting is one of the most effective professional cleaning services available today. This system uses highly pressurized water—we're talking around 3,500 PSI—to blast all debris within your pipes into the city's main sewer line.
Clean Your Drain
Boiling Water: Pour boiling water down your drains to wash away gnats and their eggs. Baking Soda Solutions: Use a mixture of salt, baking soda, and white vinegar to foam away bacteria in your pipes. Chemical Cleaners: For intense infestations, consider using a chemical cleaner like Drano.
Drain flies feed on filth and scum that can build up in areas such as drains, drain openings, sewers, septic tanks, and kitchen sinks. A great way to identify which drain-source the flies are coming from is to put clear tape over the drain so that they will fly into it and get stuck.
While this won't kill adult drain flies that have the biological defenses to withstand it, boiling water will kill larvae and eggs. Use a mixture of equal parts salt, baking soda, and vinegar, and pour it down your drain. The mixture may fizzle and foam, but it can also help clear out your drains.
Drain flies, also known as sewer gnats, feed and lay eggs on decaying organic matter. So, an overfull septic tank provides a breeding ground for these little pests. They are only about ⅛ of an inch big, but you will notice them hovering around bathtubs, sinks, and showers.