How Do I Permanently Get Rid Of Drain Flies?

How Do I Permanently Get Rid Of Drain Flies?
June 2, 2022
How Do I Permanently Get Rid Of Drain Flies?

Why Are Drain Flies So Hard To Get Rid Of?

If you have ever dealt with drain flies before, you know just how annoying and persistent they can be. They breed quickly and spread throughout your home's bathrooms and kitchen. So, you're probably asking yourself, "How do I permanently get rid of drain flies?" 

They seem to appear suddenly out of nowhere and make your life miserable. It can be tough to get rid of them permanently on your own, but don't worry! In this blog post, we will detail a step-by-step guide on identifying, inspecting, and exterminating drain flies permanently.

Drain Fly Biology And Habits

Drain flies are small moth-like insects, about 1/16 inch long, with a humped back and long hair on their legs and bodies. They are also sometimes called filter flies, moth flies, sewage flies, or sink flies. As their name suggests, they are commonly found near drains, septic tanks, wet mops, and other sources of standing water. Drain flies lay their eggs in this damp environment, and the larvae hatch and live in the water.

After several days of feeding and growing, they pupate and emerge as adults. Although drain flies are often mistaken for fruit flies, there are some critical differences between the two species. For example, fruit flies feed on ripe fruits and vegetables, while drain flies feed on decaying matter.

Drain flies are easily distinguishable from fruit flies. Their appearance is much closer to moths, and they lack the bright red eyes of fruit flies.

Drain flies are easily distinguishable from fruit flies. Their appearance is much closer to moths, and they lack the bright red eyes of fruit flies.

Most adult drain flies only live for about a week or two, making them relatively short-lived compared to other types of insects. However, in that short period, they can lay hundreds of eggs near potential breeding grounds, ensuring their population will continue to thrive.

As a result, you must take extra care to remove all sources of standing water to prevent an infestation of drain flies.

How To Inspect For And Identify Drain Flies

The first step in getting rid of drain flies is to inspect your home for potential breeding grounds. Check all drains, sinks, toilets, and showers for any standing water. If you find any, be sure to clean it up immediately. In addition, look for cracks or crevices in or near these areas where drain flies could potentially lay their eggs.

Once you have located a potential breeding ground, the next step is to identify whether or not it is infested with drain flies. The best way to do this is to set up a trap. To make a homemade fly trap, mix equal parts sugar and water in a bowl and place it near the suspected breeding ground. Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap, leaving a few small holes.

After a few hours, check the bowl to see if any flies have been caught. If you find any, you know that you have a drain fly problem and need to take action to eliminate them.

As their name suggests, the most common place you’ll find drain flies is in and around drains and pipe openings. 

As their name suggests, the most common place you’ll find drain flies is in and around drains and pipe openings. 

How Do I Permanently Get Rid Of Drain Flies?

There are a lot of home remedies or natural solutions floating around, and some may not be effective or create a lasting solution. Some may even damage your home's drain pipes.

A few natural options include using a pipe brush to try and clean out the slime or film around the drain and using white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to kill them. Others will pour a cup of vinegar down the drain along with a cup of baking soda, resulting in a rapidly expanding foamy mess. Furthermore, some people dump a cup of salt and pour boiling water down the drain. However, none of these methods will genuinely eliminate the breeding grounds of drain flies.

 

The surefire way to get rid of drain flies is to completely remove the slime film layer from your drains and pipes. Unfortunately, while you may be tempted to try pouring bleach into the drain, it will not totally remove the slime breeding ground that drain flies lay eggs in. Furthermore, it may damage your pipes!

 

We recommend using an enzyme drain cleaner, such as Invade Bio Drain Gel Treatment, to permanently get rid of drain flies. Another excellent choice is Invade Hot Spot,

which emits 4-way action foam and has a wonderful, refreshing citrus scent. In addition, its 360-degree valve allows it to treat hard-to-reach areas.

 

For homes with multiple drains that need treating, we suggest using Invade Bio Foam. It removes organic debris utilizing a combination of citrus oil and microbes. It requires a separate sprayer to produce the fast-acting foam.

Drain flies love nesting in dirty, slimy, corroded pipes. They can feed and bear their young in these places.

Drain flies love nesting in dirty, slimy, corroded pipes. They can feed and bear their young in these places.

Restaurants that experience ongoing drain fly issues can significantly benefit from Invade Bio Bullet. This solid block of microbes is ideal for low-flow systems, such as grease traps. Its non-toxic, non-pathogenic, beneficial bacteria reduce sludge, fats, and other food buildup and waste. In addition, each brick works slowly over a 30-90 day period, allowing for continuous treatment of slime and waste in pipes and drains.

 

Curious about how to best use Invade drain cleaners? Let our team of pest control professionals answer any questions you may have! Get in touch with our friendly DIY Pest Control team, and we'll guide you to a product that fits your needs perfectly. Eliminating and preventing drain flies is easier than you think!

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