One possible sign of an undetected mold problem in your home or office could be the presence of Phorid flies, sewer flies or some other gnats or bugs.
What Causes Drain Flies? Drain flies thrive in stagnant and standing water. Common sources include slow or clogged drains, rarely used and unused toilets, refrigerator drain pans, and standing water created by leaking pipes. They typically enter buildings through basements, windows, and drains.
These pests are a nuisance because they infest in large numbers. Once inside, drain flies may plug pipes and spread bacteria from the filth they live in, possibly contaminating food in the process. These pests, even though they live in filth, are not known to spread any disease to humans.
Once you've wiped out their breeding ground, the adults will eventually disappear because there is nowhere left for them to deposit their eggs.
Drain flies love moisture—stagnant, shallow water—and organic debris, and are most likely to be found near sources of food or bacteria, like sinks and showers. They often favor areas that are not used frequently, like a basement or workshop sink, and are also spotted after a long time away from home, like a vacation.
The larval stage of drain flies lasts up to 24 days, while the pupal stage lasts between 1 and 2 days at most. The larvae feed on bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that develop in the breeding medium in drains, standing water, and even sewage treatment beds.
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.
One common remedy for killing drain flies is using household bleach. This is a very useful and cost-effective manner for getting rid of these little pests with an item you already have around the house.
Drain flies are small and gray. They do not bite, sting, or spread diseases, but their decaying bodies may cause allergic reactions. They can also spread bacteria from trash, decaying vegetables and fruits.
Bleach will absolutely kill drain flies. However, using bleach comes with certain risks. It's better to try other methods first and use bleach as a last resort.
These flies will breed in any moist area that they can find. So if you are facing a drain fly infestation that you cannot figure it out, you may want to look deeper for the cause. The problem could be from a leaking pipe or drain under the sink or even a leaking pipe inside of your walls.
Are drain flies dangerous? Drain flies don't have a huge impact on human health, but they have been reported as worsening the effects of bronchial asthma in some individuals. They are most known to be problematic around food, where they can contaminate it and make humans and domestic pets quite ill.
Are they seasonal? Yes. Cold temperatures significantly slow down the biological processes of drain flies. For example, drain fly eggs will hatch more slowly in cold weather, which suggests that they may stay dormant until warmer weather returns.
IT STARTS WITH MAGGOTS IN YOUR DRAINS!
It's the larvae or maggots of these flies that live inside the drains, feeding on the gelatinous goo that forms on the inside of the pipes.
One of the reasons that these types of critters — drain flies, in particular — are so difficult to get rid of is that they have water-repellant hair all over their bodies. Furthermore, the drain fly larvae are difficult to drown since “they are able to trap air bubbles and remain submerged for a day or more.”
Because drain flies live off the sludge inside your pipes, it makes sense to keep them as clear as possible with regular cleaning. You can do this with a simple mixture of dish soap or vinegar and water.
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. You'll most likely see only a few at a time, as you only rarely see drain flies in large numbers at once.
Like really love it! They're attracted to moist places like bathroom drains or sink drains and moist towels where there is a lot of stagnant water for them to breed and lay their eggs.
Behavior: Drain flies are most active at night. They are weak flyers that make short hopping flights of a few feet when they are disturbed. Drain flies rest on surfaces with their wings held over their back like a roof. You'll usually find a drain fly close to its breeding ground.
Essential oils are sometimes used to keep flies away from infested sections and also to kill them. Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass, and citronella are just a few of the scents that insects despise (with lavender probably being the most effective).
Baking Soda, Boiling Water & Vinegar
The pour half a cup of bicarb soda down the sink as well, followed by a half cup of white vinegar. Let it settle for a few minutes then poor some more boiling water down the drain. Follows these steps every few days until the drain flies have completely disappeared.
The vinegar's smell will attract the drain flies, and the wrap will trap them inside the bowl. Another option is to mix a few drops of dish soap with a cup of vinegar. The vinegar attracts the flies, and the dish soap makes it impossible for them to stand on the surface, so they drown.
Flies are naturally attracted to the odors created by decay and fermentation because they indicate a potentially good food source for their larvae. Drains can provide ideal harborage and breeding grounds for flies – both large and small.
For effective drain fly treatment, use three products: Forid Drain Gel Cleaner, Gentrol IGR Aerosol, and Pyrid. Forid is an organic microbial grease degrader that breaks down organic material and waste, which will eliminate their food sources and their breeding grounds.
These tiny flies range in color from light tan or gray to black and their bodies are covered in small hairs, giving them a furry appearance. Drain flies also have large, oval-shaped wings, which, when the drain flies are at rest, cover their bodies in a roof-like manner.