How to get rid of drain flies?

It's better to act quickly if you notice bugs inside your home. Drain flies like fruit flies are common home insects that annoy humans. Drain flies, which are only one eighth of an inch long, cluster around standing water. They're also known as moth flies, sewer flies, or filter flies because of their gray or taupe hue and short, rounded wings.

What are drain flies?

Drain flies are grayish midges that range from 2 to 3 mm in length. They are also known as psychodes, and they have a maximum lifespan of two weeks in optimal conditions. These tiny flies look like a moth.

They are normally innocuous, but when they come upon decomposing organic materials bathed in standing water, they become a problem. This is why drains, sewers, sinks, sanitary facilities, compost, restrooms, gutters, and septic tanks are frequently visited by these flying insects.

Drain flies are mostly active in the evenings, looking for organic debris to feed on and lay their eggs on. They are frequently discovered in the biofilm that forms in the recesses and pipe joints of drains as a result of the accumulation of water and debris.

Where do drain flies come from?

Drain flies can be found in drains, sewers, septic tanks, and land that has been contaminated with sewage. They frequently make their way up to drain areas, where they can be seen near bathrooms and kitchen sinks, as well as bath/shower drains. If the drain has been sluggish for a long period, such as if you have gone on vacation or if you have a guest bathroom, you are more likely to find them.

How do you know if you have drain flies?

You may not realize you have an infestation growing in your pipes until you notice these small moth-like insects in your home. Thankfully, there are a few techniques to know if your pipes have drain flies breeding in them.

Duct Tape Test

Wrap a piece of duct tape around your drain and tape it shut for the night. Drain flies will attempt to rise to the surface but will become trapped on the tape on their way out. Not only will this get rid of some of the flies in your drain, but it will also show you how the infestation has progressed. Repeat the process multiple nights in a row to get a complete picture of the problem.

Check for Larvae

Drain flies lay eggs in the organic debris that accumulates at the drain's opening. Remove the drain cover, scrape some of the slime off the sides, and search for drain-fly larvae that are thin, tube-like, and resemble drain flies. If you don't see any but know you have an infestation, it's possible the eggs are being laid deeper within your pipes.

How long can a drain fly infestation last?

The life cycle of a drain fly is 1-3 weeks. They lay brown or cream eggs in the organic waste of your drain once they've discovered a suitable habitat. The eggs hatch in two days. Drain fly larvae eat drain sludge and can withstand high temperatures and low oxygen levels. This quick turnover means that it is vital to control an infestation before it gets out of control. If you feel that your pest problem is becoming unmanageable, contact a pest control company.

5 Ways to Get Rid of Drain Flies

1. Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Salt?

To make a natural cleaning solution, combine these pantry staples and pour it down your drain overnight. With the vinegar, the baking soda expands, reaching more places than boiling water. Flush out the pipe with boiling water after letting the solution rest until morning.

2. Boiling Water?

Pouring boiling water down your drain 1-2 times a day for approximately a week is the simplest way to clear out your drains. 

3. Soap, Water, Vinegar, and Sugar?

Add a few drops of dish soap in a basin of water, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Allow the bowl to sit near the drain for a few days to attract drain flies to the sweet solution. The soap will trap the flies in the water due to its thickness.

4. Apple Cider and Cling Film?

Cover a bowl, jar, or mug with plastic wrap to make a DIY fly trap. Fill the container with an inch of apple cider vinegar at the bottom. Small holes should be punched in the top of the plastic to allow the flies in and make sure they don’t escape.

5. Drain Cleaner?

You may clear up the residual residue with solutions like Drano after flushing your drain with warm water and brushing it with a metal pipe brush. 

What is pest management and how does it work? 

What Smells Do Drain Flies Hate?

In order to get rid of drain gnats, there are numerous natural and DIY methods that you can try. Some of these are as easy as cultivating plants that have strong scents and are known to repel insects.

Basil

Basil is a useful plant. It has a pungent odor that flies absolutely despise. Planting basil in your kitchen or other places of your home will deter flies. 

Mint

Mint is a very useful herb to have in the house. Mint not only enhances the flavor of practically any cocktail, but it also has a pungent odor that flies dislike.

Lavender

Lavender is really easy to grow and looks great in any yard. This plant will not take up much of your time and it will undoubtedly assist you in keeping flies at bay.

Marigold

A flower that is not only beautiful but also repels gnats. Marigolds are a popular flower in many homes and gardens, but did you know that flies are repulsed by their scent? 

Cloves

Winter is a great time to scatter some dry cloves around your house and enjoy their Christmas-like aroma. Cloves are repulsive to sewer gnats so this should keep them away from infested areas.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon, like cloves, has one of those scents that flies despise but people adore. 

Essential Oils

Essential oils are sometimes used to keep flies away from infested sections and also to kill them. Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass, and citronella are just a few of the scents that insects despise (with lavender probably being the most effective).

Pouring half or an entire cup of such essential oil onto a sponge or rag, then storing it in a small can, helps keep flies at bay. If you're planning on using an essential oil from our list other than lavender, dilute the liquid with a little alcohol beforehand.

Tips to prevent a drain fly infestation

Keep Drains Clean & Covered

To avoid a drain fly infestation, it’s important to keep drains clean and cover drains that are rarely used. To keep organic debris from accumulating in drains, use drain cleaner gel once a week. If the drain won’t be used for several hours, such as at night, drain gel should be applied. Drains that are rarely used can be covered with a drain stopper or a flat rubber cover, both of which can be found at your local home improvement store, to keep drain flies away.

Remove Standing Water

Drain flies love standing water because it provides a perfect breeding ground for them. This means that if you want to prevent future infestations you must remove the source of the problem. 

First and foremost, you must remove any standing water before addressing the blockage. Remove the water with buckets or other suitable containers, and don't take a bath or shower until the obstruction is gone. It's now time to clear the drain. Examine the drain for any visible evidence of blockage, such as hair, and remove it as best you can. 

Drain Fly Pest Control Services

There may come a moment when the infestation becomes too much for you to handle on your own. To give you peace of mind, VExtermination has residential, commercial, and agricultural extermination services. While you may believe a pest infestation is under control, professional pest control routine check-ups are the most effective way to ensure your house is safe.