How do you get rid of drain flies?

Author: Dewitt Rowe Jr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Mix equal parts of salt and baking soda (half a cup each), and pour down the drain, then follow with a cup of vinegar. Let it sit overnight. The chemical reaction will not only kill drain flies but also remove any grime or grease that might be acting as a breeding ground.

How do you get rid of drain flies fast?

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.

What is the main cause of drain flies?

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.

Will bleach kill drain flies?

A cup of household bleach is generally more than sufficient to kill most drain flies, and all you need to do is pour it down the affected drain. The chemical is strong enough to kill the larvae, and the rest of the adult flies should die off within a few hours to a day or so.

Will just vinegar kill drain flies?

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.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies (4 Easy Steps)

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.

Can I use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar to kill flies?

Vinegar Fly Trap

Fill a cup or small bowl with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for flies, then add a few drops of dish soap. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and secure it with a rubber band. Poke holes in the wrap to create entry points for the flies.

Does Dawn dish soap kill drain flies?

It turns out that soap and alcohol—the two main ingredients in Dawn Powerwash—are both great at killing insects. The soap clogs up insects' breathing tubes, essentially drowning them.

Does pine sol kill drain flies?

Pine Sol down all your drains (shower, sinks, kitchen drains, etc)! Works like a charm for drain flies and roaches! Pour 1/4-1/2c every day for a week, then once a week after that!

Will boiling water kill drain flies?

For minor infestations (e.g., you've only noticed a few drain flies), pouring boiling water down the sink may be an effective solution for you. This works by temporarily melting the FOG buildup that the drain flies live in and moving it down the drain line.

How long does a drain fly infestation last?

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.

Does Drano get rid of drain flies?

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.

Can bugs come up through the toilet?

Can bugs come out of drains? Unfortunately, they can, and this is one of the easiest ways for some of these pests to get into your bathroom. This is particularly true for cockroaches, which can spread all sorts of dangerous bacteria and dirt that belong only in the sewer.

Why do I suddenly have drain flies?

Drain flies are most often the result of a clog in a drain or sewer line, it doesn't matter if it's buildup, a soft clog or a hard clog – it just needs to limit the flow of wastewater, causing it to become stagnant and a breeding ground for bacteria.

Can you 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 is the best cleaner to get rid of drain flies?

Vinegar and baking soda: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar down the drain.

How do I permanently get rid of drain flies?

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.

What smell do flies hate the most?

Cinnamon – use cinnamon as an air freshner, as flies hate the smell! Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass essential oils – Not only will spraying these oils around the house create a beautiful aroma, but they will also deter those pesky flies too.

What scent gets rid of drain flies?

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.

Will vinegar kill drain flies overnight?

The amount of time it takes to get rid of sewer flies with vinegar will depend on the severity of the infestation. If you have a small number of drain flies, you may see results within a few hours. In more severe cases, it may take a day or two for the flies to be eliminated.

Where do drain flies go at night?

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.

Does baking soda kill drain flies?

Use baking soda: 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. Leave overnight, and finish by pouring boiling water down the drain in the morning.

Does Windex kill flies?

A: I kill house flies all the time with a spray bottle filled with a fairly strong solution of water & dish soap or glass cleaner such as windex.

How to get rid of flies in the house quickly without vinegar?

You can make use of natural oils such as citronella oil, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, neem, and lemongrass. Try mixing them with rubbing alcohol or water and fill them in a spray bottle. Using these natural housefly's repellent can deter those pesky creatures as well as create a beautiful aroma in your house.

What is the best homemade house fly trap?

The best homemade fly trap is one that can attract both house flies and fruit flies. To lure both outdoors, mix scraps of rotting meat, like fish or chicken, with sugar or honey. When indoors, the best bait is old fruit or honey. Liquid dish soap is exactly what you need to drown the flies.

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