How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

How to get rid of drain flies? If you have a drain fly problem, getting rid of them is likely to be at the front of your mind. Read this article and you will discover what causes these pests, what they are, and what the experts do to get rid of them.

Drain flies are a common problem as they are easily attracted to standing water that accumulates around drains and sinks, particularly when these are in poor repair. A small drain fly issue can soon explode into a major infestation, as newly hatched flies can breed within two days.

The good news is you can rid yourself of a drain fly problem as easily as one appears. Also, you have no need to fork out on expensive eradicators. There are plenty of common items in your pantry that will help you get rid of fruit flies as well as drain flies.

What Is A Drain Fly?

Before you can get rid of your drain fly problem, you should understand a bit about these tiny pests. Some people refer to drain flies as moth flies, or simply as flies. At between 2 to 5 mm, they are roughly the size of a fruit fly or a gnat.

One tell-tale sign of a drain fly are its small, moth-like wings and round, fuzz-covered bodies. With various shades ranging between black to pale grey, drain flies have a different appearance to fruit flies. 

Drain flies are often mistaken for moths, as they are incapable of flying far. Indeed, flying isn’t really a suitable word to describe their movement. Perhaps hopping would be more suitable.

On average, drain flies live for between 8 to 24 days. However, after only 48 hours, they are capable of laying eggs. That means after just two days, a fruit fly can produce up to 300 offspring. Therefore, you must get on top of the issue as soon as possible before you have a drain fly infestation.

What Are Flies Attracted To – Particularly Drain Flies?

Drain flies adore stagnant standing water, especially when it contains small amounts of sewage and other bacteria. That’s why you will often see them hanging around the following areas:

• Bathtub drains.
• Kitchen sinks.
• Septic tanks.
• Sewers.
• Outdoor drains.
• Soil contaminated by sewage.
• Compost heaps.
• Buckets.
• Wet mops.
• Frequently wet areas.

The attraction these places present to drain flies is they all have standing water that can become stagnant if left. The film that develops on top of such water is an ideal habitat for drain flies to lay their eggs.

To Get Rid Of Drain Flies, Understand What They Eat.

Drain flies feed off the organic material within stagnant standing water and sewage. This organic material is found in the film that sits on top of standing water. Therefore, areas such as drains are ideal environments for drain flies to live, feed, and breed. There doesn’t need to be a significant amount of standing water to attract drain flies. Compost heaps, garbage bins, and animal waste will also provide them with sufficient food sources to survive.

Are Drain Flies Harmful?

Although drain flies live in pretty unpleasant places, alongside bacteria and sewage, they don’t carry disease. Therefore, they do not present any harm to most people.

However, in large populations, drain flies can transfer significant amounts of bacteria. Even though they may not present a direct health risk, they can be incredibly irritating. Also, if left unchecked, they will reproduce to the point where it costs a significant amount to eradicate them. Therefore, you should deal with your drain fly issue as soon as possible.

Does Your Home Need A Drain Fly Killer?

Before tackling a potential drain fly problem, you should first determine if your home has a drain fly infestation. You might notice some of these small pests around your home, and think nothing of it. However, you should not be complacent as there could be hundreds lying in your pipes, waiting to hatch.

To check things out, you can place some duct tape over the drain and leave it sealed overnight. When the newly-hatched flies make their way out, they’ll get stuck on the tape. Repeating this exercise on consecutive nights will give you an indication of the size of the infestation.

You can also conduct a drain fly larvae inspection. Drain flies commonly lay their eggs in the scum and organic material that gathers around a drain’s opening. Remove the cover and scrape away any slime. Check the slime and the opening for drain fly larvae and eggs. Even if none are evident, there still could be eggs laid deep inside the pipes.

How To Kill Drain Flies

You have two broad approaches for killing drain flies; chemical or natural. You will likely already have a few things around your home to help purge the drain fly infestation. Alternatively, there are several chemical products you can use to get your home drain fly-free.

Natural Methods To Get Rid Of Drain Flies.

It is often best to prevent the problem before it arises. Regularly flushing your drains can wash away drain fly larvae and eggs. It will also deter the flies from returning. Here are a few natural methods to try as part of your regular drain maintenance.

1. Boiling Water

Pouring boiling water down your drain is one of the easiest ways to get rid of fruit flies. For this method to be effective, you’ll need to do it a couple of times a day for one week.

2. Mixture Of Baking Soda, Salt, And Vinegar

This mixture is a tried and tested cleaning solution for eradicating drain flies or fruit flies, and it’s made from natural ingredients. It’s likely you will already have these ingredients in your pantry, so it should not cost you anything more. Mix the solution and pour it down your drain at night. The baking soda expands when mixed with vinegar, enabling the solution to get into areas that boiling water cannot reach. Allow the solution to sit overnight, then flush the drain out with boiling water.

3. Mixture Of Vinegar, Soap, Sugar, And Water

Adding a touch of soap to a water-vinegar-sugar solution can serve as an effective drain fly trap. Leaving some of the solution in a bowl near a drain will attract the flies. They get attracted by the sweetness of the sugar, then the soap’s thick film on the water traps the flies.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar And Plastic Wrap

Another way to trap drain flies and fruit flies is to use apple cider vinegar and plastic wrap. Pour some vinegar into a jar and seal the opening tightly with plastic wrap and an elastic band. Pierce the plastic three or four times to allow the flies entry. They will be attracted inside by the vinegar, but they’ll be unable to exit, eventually perishing.

5. Cover Your Drain With Duct Tape

We mentioned earlier a good way of detecting a drain fly infestation is to cover your drain with duct tape. Covering your drain for several nights will catch many of the drain flies as they attempt to exit.

Chemical Methods To Get Rid Of Drain Flies.

As drain flies generally live in or around pipes and drains, certain chemical pipe cleaners are excellent for getting rid of drain flies. If you choose to use a chemical method, you should ensure you follow the instructions for that specific product.

1. Conventional Chemical Drain Cleaner

Conventional chemical drain cleaners such as Bio-Clean and Drano are effective at getting rid of drain flies. Start by flushing the drain with some hot water and giving it a scrub with a metal pipe brush. Once you have got rid of the main areas of scum, you can use the chemicals as a finishing clean.

2. Chemical Sprays And Insect Repellents

You can use many chemical sprays and insect repellents to get rid of drain flies. Many of these products contain caustic chemicals. Therefore, you should check if they are okay to use around your drains.

How To A Prevent Drain Fly Infestation

Drain flies are always on the lookout for areas of standing water that have sewage or other organic material within them. Remove any sources of standing water that you can, including buckets, dirty mops, and small puddles.

Although it is impossible to prevent water standing in certain areas, ensure you flush or clean such areas regularly. Also, consider covering drains that are not in use, as this will prevent drain flies from entering. 

Keeping your septic system in good repair is also something to do. You should be on constant look out for signs of a drain fly infestation. Even noticing a couple of drain flies should be a trigger for further investigation. Remember, prevention is often much easier than dealing with a full blown drain fly infestation.

FAQs

Dealing with a drain fly infestation can be frustrating. Therefore, we want to share some common experiences and frequently asked questions with you.

What Are Drain Flies Attracted To?

The main thing that attracts drain flies is an area of standing or stagnant water. Around the home, open pipe ends and drains are particular areas where you might find drain flies hanging out. They feed on the organic material that surrounds these areas, such as sewage, and also lay their eggs in it. As it doesn’t take long for such material to build up around your drains, you should clean them regularly to remove this food source and breeding habitat.

How Long to Completely Get Rid of Drain Flies?

You can expect to eradicate most drain fly infestations within a week, with consistent treatment. If the problem is more significant, you may need specialist advice in locating the root cause and getting rid of the pests.

Can You Use Drano to Kill Drain Flies?

Drano is an effective short-term solution for getting rid of drain fly infestations. However, for a prolonged solution, it is best to adopt a preventative strategy. Doing so will ensure drain flies do not return once you have eradicated them.

Do Drain Flies Ever Go Away by Themselves?

Drain flies are unlikely to disappear for no reason.

So long as you provide them with standing water to live, breathe and lay their eggs in, you will have an issue. Adopting a strategy of prevention, such as regularly flushing drains, will ensure you keep your home free from infestation.

The measures and advice we’ve laid out above will, hopefully, get rid of your drain fly problem. If it does persist, you may need to seek expert advice on the issue.