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.
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.
Apple cider vinegar with a drop of dish soap: leave in a shallow plate or bowl (I used a tiny fish bowl from thrift store) near drains to catch those flying around. They will fly in and drown. Replace every day or every other day as needed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Drain flies, also known as moth flies or sewer flies, are small, hairy, moth-like insects measuring 2 to 5 millimetres long depending on the species. They are weak fliers and are often seen walking near breeding sites. Females lay 30 to 100 eggs in masses on the surface of breeding medium.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The tiny flies you see in your toilet are called Drain Flies. Also known as sewer gnats or moth flies, they can be a frustrating and unsightly nuisance in your home. These tiny insects are a common sight in Singapore homes, as they thrive in the moist and organic matter found in drains, pipes, and sewage systems.
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.
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.
The most modern way to get rid of drain flies is to remove the film inside pipes with enzyme cleaners. Foaming enzymes applied by pest control professionals break down the film coating that drain flies are eating and may also target drain fly eggs; thus helping to prevent future breeding.
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.
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 the Drain with Vinegar and Baking Soda- This is a natural way clean out the drain and kill off any fruit flies hanging out in there.
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.
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.
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.
Psychoda drain flies got their name because they commonly breed in floor drains. They can also breed in drip pans underneath refrigerators or air conditioners.