It kills flies (such as houseflies, bottle flies, drain flies, fruit flies), gnats, mosquitoes, moths, wasps and hornets in one easy spray. This Raid® flying insect spray is part of a complete line of products to target specific insects inside and outside.
Using Insecticides
Insecticides can be a powerful tool in the fight against drain flies.
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.
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.
Homemade drain fly traps: Place a solution of apple cider vinegar and dish soap in a shallow dish. "The flies will be attracted to the vinegar and get trapped in the soap," Kunz advises. Microbial drain cleaner: An enzyme or microbial-based drain cleaner will feed on the biofilm and remove the food source and larvae.
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.
These pesky creatures are attracted to decaying organic matter that accumulates in our pipes and drains.
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.
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.
It can be difficult to prevent drain flies completely, but you can reduce the chances of them being attracted to your drains by keeping them clean. This is as simple as refraining from putting clog-inducing items down the drain, like coffee grinds, rice, solid foods, hair, and more.
The simple answer is yes but with a caveat. While bleach can kill drain flies and their larvae on contact, it's not the most effective method for long-term control. Bleach's caustic nature allows it to clean the drain pipes and kill some of the larvae.
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.
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.
Raid® Flying Insect Killer is specially formulated to kill a number of flying insects including flies, mosquitoes, wasps, and hornets. It can be used both indoors and outdoors. Also available in Outdoor Fresh® and Orange Breeze scents.
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.
Pesticide Treatments
These products will not kill the larvae and new flies will soon appear. "Bug bombs" (i.e., total-release aerosols) will only kill flying adults and they leave no residues. These products should not be used around food preparation areas.
Clean suspected drains with a commercial drain cleaner, and scrub the drain pipe vigorously with a long-handled brush. After their breeding sites have been eliminated, the reproductive cycle is disturbed.
Boil a pot of water and pour it down the drain where you suspect the drain flies are breeding. Pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Slowly pour a 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain with a drain plug, and let it sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
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?
These flies lay their eggs in standing water or in the film that can develop on the inner surfaces of drains. 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.
Although their breeding behaviour makes them potential carriers of disease causing pathogens, drain flies are not known to transmit such pathogens to humans. Large infestations of drain flies are unsightly and often prove to be difficult to eradicate without professional assistance.
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.
About Drain Flies
Their predators include spiders and their webs, so their wings are equipped with scales to protect them. Due to their tiny size and ability to hide within pipes and drains, they are not typically susceptible to predators. Their short life span and nocturnal habits serve to keep them safe.
One way is to set a trap — a bowl containing one part water, one part sugar, and one part white vinegar. Add five to eight drops of dish soap. Leave the bowl overnight, and adult drain flies should be attracted to it. Another method is to create a do-it-yourself spray containing equal parts warm water and dish soap.
Phorid flies are also known as sewer flies. This may be a good name for them, since they are often associated with damage to sewer lines that are in or close to the house or building. These flies are often associated with clogged drains inside buildings.