To get rid of drain flies, you should hire a licensed pest control exterminator or a professional drain cleaning plumber. The best choice depends on the severity of the infestation and whether it is caused by a simple pipe blockage or a deeper structural leak.
Periodic and thorough cleaning of drains with appropriate chemical cleansers is recommended to dissolve and remove organic food sources. Foaming agents that break down gelatinous scum deposits can be useful.
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. If you experience difficulty ridding your home of adult sewer flies, contact your local pest control professional.
Drain fly presence indicates moisture or pipe system issues. To deal with drain flies, clean and remove organic buildup from drains, fix leaks or standing water, scrub drain walls, and for major infestations call in a professional service to treat breeding sites and monitor.
Drain flies rarely go away on their own and typically require active cleaning of the infested drain to eliminate the organic sludge they feed on. While adults only live for a few weeks, they lay hundreds of eggs in that time, making them a persistent issue.
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.
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.
That depends on your definition of hard, but termites, bedbugs, and cockroaches top the list. In the pest control world, the top most challenging cases are those that involve severe infestations of termites, bed bugs, and cockroaches. Each of these sends shivers down most people's spines, and for good reason.
Life Cycle and Habits
The eggs, larvae and pupae can be found in the bacterial muck, slime or gelatinous film often accumulating on the sides of drains and overflow pipes in homes, sewage disposal beds, septic tanks and wet compost. They have also been found in dirty garbage containers, rain barrels and tree holes.
Drain flies are strictly nocturnal and are most active at night. During the day, they rest on walls or ceilings near plumbing fixtures.
To kill drain flies, you need to eliminate the organic slime (biofilm) inside your pipes where they lay eggs. The most effective solutions are commercial enzyme/bacteria gels (like InVade Bio Drain Gel or Green Gobbler Drain Gel), which eat through the gunk safely.
A large amount of flies in the home typically indicates a problem with poor sewage drainage or overflows, which can become a continuous breeding ground. If you notice a large population of drain flies, contact a pest control professional to handle the infestation.
DIY pest control might cost you $100–$300 annually in products alone—not including your time. A professional plan may cost more upfront, but it often saves you money over time by preventing repeat infestations and avoiding expensive damage (we're looking at you, termites and rodents).
They reproduce and lay their eggs in groups of 30 to 100 inside drains. These eggs hatch within 48 hours, so infestation begins very quickly, and they multiply rapidly.
Kill the Bed Bugs
Drain flies are caused by standing water and the buildup of moist, decaying organic matter (such as hair, soap scum, grease, or food particles) in your plumbing. They thrive in these slimy environments, feeding on the decaying material and laying hundreds of eggs in it.
Drain Flies
If you have tiny flies buzzing around, it can be a sign that the septic tank is full or there is a problem with the pipes. 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.
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.
The mayfly is the most famous insect known for an adult lifespan of just 24 hours (with some species lasting only a few minutes or hours). As adults, they have no functional mouthparts and do not eat; their sole purpose in this short window is to swarm, mate, and lay eggs.
The "worst" pest depends on what you value most. Termites are the worst for your wallet due to structural damage, while bed bugs and German cockroaches are the worst for your peace of mind and health due to rapid reproduction and disease risk.
The only methods that guarantee a 100% kill rate for both bed bugs and their eggs are extreme heat and professional multi-step pest control treatments.
If you're dealing with drain flies in your house, try these tips and remedies below to tackle the issue.
To kill drain flies, you need to eliminate the organic slime (biofilm) inside your pipes where they lay eggs. The most effective solutions are commercial enzyme/bacteria gels (like InVade Bio Drain Gel or Green Gobbler Drain Gel), which eat through the gunk safely.