Can you boil water down drains for fruit flies?

Author: Efren Eichmann  |  Last update: Saturday, June 28, 2025

Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain- Fruit flies can usually survive typical water flow down the drain, but boiling some hot water and pouring it down can kill flies and their eggs. This may be done a few times a week for a couple of weeks to make sure you kill any future generations of flies.

Can you pour boiling water down the drain for fruit flies?

You can also try this home remedy recipe:

First, use boiling water to flush out the drain and disposal and loosen food particle build-up. Use a metal pipe brush to clean the drain.

What is the fastest way to get rid of fruit flies in the drain?

Fruit flies in your drain
  • you can pour boiling water down the drain
  • -try 1⁄2 cup of salt, 1⁄2 cup of baking soda, 1 cup vinegar down the drain.
  • Straight up vinegar, bleach, or aa drain cleaner.
  • Stick a metal brush or a pipe cleaner down the drain to clean it out (just don't let go!).

Is it safe to pour boiling water down the drain?

Pouring boiling water is quite risky as it might lead to a steam burn or scalding. Another thing to keep in mind is what type of material you are pouring in into. If you have a porcelain sink, it is likely to crack due to the heat. All in all, pouring boiling water down your drain will only cause issues down the road.

What do you pour down the drain to get rid of 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 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 To Deal With Fruit Flies And Drain Flies

What is the best drain cleaner to get rid of flies?

Vinegar and baking soda: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar down the drain. Plug the drain and allow this mixture to sit for a while—it eliminates clogs. Then, rinse the drain with hot boiling water.

Will boiling water damage PVC pipes?

PVC drain pipes are more susceptible to damage from boiling water compared to other plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene, and of course metallic pipe materials.

Does boiling water get rid of anything?

While boiling water eliminates bacteria in the water, it does not make the tap water pure. Water can contain other contaminants such as microplastics, pesticides, fertilisers, industrial chemicals, hormones, medications, heavy metals and neurotoxic microorganisms which are not removed through boiling water.

Is it bad to boil sink water?

Boiling water can only remove solids and bacteria, meaning it will not remove harmful substances such as chlorine and lead from tap water. Furthermore, boiling tap water with lead actually concentrates this contaminant making it more dangerous than if left alone.

How to stop gnats from coming up the drain?

Vinegar and Baking Soda: Pour a vinegar and baking soda mixture down the affected drain. The fizzing action helps break down organic matter and kill gnats. Follow with boiling water to flush out debris. Boiling Water: Regularly pour boiling water down your drains to help kill gnat larvae and wash away organic material.

What is the difference between drain flies and fruit flies?

Fruit flies have red eyes and a body color ranging from brown to yellow with dark stripes or spots. Drain flies, also known as sewer flies, have a moth-like appearance with fuzzy wings, antennae, and black or brown coloring.

Does pouring bleach down the drain help with fruit 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 is the fastest way to get rid of fruit flies in drain?

Pour a 1/2 cup of salt, 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar and allow it to work its magic overnight. Follow up with boiling water the next morning. Repeat if necessary. Pour a half gallon of water and 1 cup of vinegar or bleach down the drain to sanitize.

Does boiling water get rid of flies?

Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain- Fruit flies can usually survive typical water flow down the drain, but boiling some hot water and pouring it down can kill flies and their eggs. This may be done a few times a week for a couple of weeks to make sure you kill any future generations of flies.

What smell do fruit flies hate?

Fruit flies hate several rather nice smelling natural scents, including peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and clove.

Is distilled water just boiled water?

No, boiled water is not the same as distilled water. Boiling water kills bacteria and other organisms, but it doesn't remove all impurities such as minerals and salts. Distilled water, on the other hand, is water that has been boiled into steam and then cooled to return it to its liquid state.

How long to boil water to make it safe?

How do I boil my water so that it is safe to drink? Bring water to a FULL ROLLING BOIL for 1 MINUTE, then allow the water to COOL BEFORE USE. Because water may take 30 minutes to cool, plan ahead. Make up a batch of boiled water in advance so you will not be tempted to use it hot and risk scalds or burns.

Does boiling water get rid of air?

Most water has some air dissolved in it. As you begin to heat the water, this dissolved air escapes the water.

Is it bad to put boiling water down the drain?

Chemical cleaners can eat away at your pipes, and boiling water can melt important components. Over time, this damage can lead to leaks and expensive plumbing repairs. Before you turn to DIY methods, let's look at some safer ways to care for your home's plumbing system.

Is it safe to pour boiling water in a kitchen sink?

Firstly, assess the material of your pipes; if you have metal pipes, boiling water is less likely to cause harm. However, for PVC or other plastic pipes, it's advisable to use hot water instead of boiling to avoid damage.

Does bleach damage PVC pipes?

Bleach is a common cleaner found in most homes, but is it safe to use in homes with PVC piping? In short, yes. You can safely use bleach to clean and disinfect your PVC pipes, as long as you dilute it first and avoid mixing it with other chemicals.

How do plumbers get rid of drain flies?

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.

What smell do drain flies hate?

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.

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