We’ve all dealt with houseflies, spiders, maybe even the occasional ant parade. But have you encountered tiny, persistent flies buzzing around your sink or bathroom drain? Those are drain flies, and trust us; you’re not alone in wanting to banish them for good.
Most people’s first thought when spotting these critters? “How do I get rid of drain flies?” And that’s exactly what this blog post is here for!
WHAT ARE DRAIN FLIES?
Drain flies, also known as sink flies, sewer flies, moth flies or sewer gnats, are tiny critters that have moth-like wings that buzz around openings in your plumbing system.
They have six legs, fuzzy wings, and antennae and are usually about 1.5mm to 5mm in size. People typically mistake drain flies for fruit flies, which are entirely different critters (with their own problems, too).
HOW TO IDENTIFY SINK FLIES EGGS
Did you know that typically drain flies lay between 10-200 eggs inside discarded grease, hair, food sources, fats and oils within your home? They create a build-up in drain pipes and septic tanks, which is what attracts them. Drain flies breed in these places after one or two days of finding their new home.
Drain fly eggs are brownish or cream in colour and are laid deeper into the organic material and wet matter in your drain traps and garbage disposals. Between 30 and 100 eggs are laid at a time, and sometimes up to 300 within 48 hours of becoming an adult.
Once the eggs hatch, the young will eat the organic matter and become adult flies within seven to twenty-eight days.
ARE DRAIN FLIES HARMFUL?
Those tiny flies buzzing around your drains are annoying, sure, but are they actually harmful? First off, let’s bust some myths:
- Drain flies don’t bite: Unlike their blood-sucking mosquito cousins, adult drain flies are strictly vegetarian. Think of them as miniature buzz-bomb garbage disposals.
- They don’t spread major diseases: While they can pick up bacteria from their not-so-glamorous breeding grounds, the risk of them transmitting anything serious is pretty low.
They’re not entirely harmless:
- Allergy triggers: Those fly particles can trigger wheezing and sneezing for some people with sensitive noses. Think of it as miniature pollen with wings.
- Unsanitary vibes: Their presence indicates decaying organic matter in your drains, which is, well, a breeding ground for other unwanted guests like mould.
Drain flies are more of a nuisance than a health hazard. But let’s be honest, those buzzing wings around our sink and floor drains and sewage systems are enough to make anyone want to eliminate drain flies.
SIGNS YOU HAVE A DRAIN FLY INFESTATION
The best way to determine whether you have drain fly larvae and adult fly infestation is with CCTV technology that Canberra Plumbing & Drains can provide. However, with the naked eye, you know it’s a problem when you see them in the following situations:
- Small flies in significant numbers rest on kitchen and bathroom walls and drains.
- Tiny white larvae at the opening of drains and drain cover.
- Sewer flies linger by garbage and birdbaths.
- Eggs hatching and drain flies around wet mops and buckets.
5 EASY STEPS TO DETER AND KILL DRAIN FLIES
While your drain fly issues may seem overwhelming at first, you can successfully deter drain flies and prevent them from returning in the future.
By taking the five easy steps below, you can learn how to get rid of drain flies and ensure your home no longer has an infestation without contacting a pest control company.
1. FIND THE LOCATION OF THE DRAIN FLY PROBLEM
Before using any remedies to start pest control, it’s essential to find the source of the problem.
If you have drain flies gathering around your sink, they have likely come from stagnant water in the drains closest to your kitchen. They might also be drawn to rotting fruit, animal waste, compost piles, and other forms of discarded decaying organic material.
You can also determine the location by placing the sticky side of duct tape over half of the drain’s opening, leaving it by the drain overnight or for a few days. If you have a problem, drain flies will be stuck to the sticky side.
2. POUR BOILING WATER DOWN THE DRAIN
If you’re looking to get rid of drain flies, you should know that they don’t like boiling water, naturally.
We recommend pouring boiling water down your drain several times daily for about a week. This method is particularly effective for killing larvae and where they lay eggs before reaching the later stages of their life span.
As a bonus, it also cleans your pipes, keeping these moth flies away in the future.
3. USE VINEGAR AND OTHER NATURAL REMEDIES
Using baking soda, different kinds of vinegar, and other home ingredients is another great way to keep your drains clean, particularly in the kitchen.
Using the following methods is an effective pest control method for a drain fly infestation because it eliminates drain flies and their larvae.
Baking Soda with White Vinegar
Combine baking soda and white vinegar, and pour it down your drain to sit overnight. It will expand, attract the drain flies quickly, and trap them.
Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
Another DIY combination includes creating a fly trap by filling a container with an inch of apple cider vinegar, topping it with plastic wrap and punching small holes in it to allow the pests in but not allow them to escape.
Dish Soap, Water, Sugar and Vinegar
Combining a few drops of dish soap into a bowl with sugar, water and vinegar and leaving it close to your drain will attract drain flies. The addition of soap traps the gnats and helps you eliminate the pests from the breeding ground. Drain flies find the sweetness of the sugar attractive, which draws them to the mixture.
4. USE A CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANER
Another option for homeowners to use when looking at how to get rid of drain fly is to use a chemical cleaner. The cleaner removes the build-up that attracts flies to your household and storm drains.
First, use a metal pipe brush with warm water to dislodge any food scraps, oils and other debris as deep as you can manage. Use your chosen chemical cleaners or chemical sprays according to the instructions. Be sure to follow the drain cleaner instructions closely to ensure you use them safely.
5. KEEP YOUR DRAINS CLEAN
Regularly cleaning your pipes and household sinks is an excellent way to keep drain flies away. This includes ensuring that food scraps, oils, fats, and other debris don’t wash down your sink, as these attract both male and female flies.
You should follow this practice regularly, whether you use vinegar and bicarb soda or other kitchen and bathroom cleaners, along with a wire brush to get all the hard-to-reach places.
PREVENT DRAIN FLY INFESTATIONS
Aside from taking the time to prevent drain flies by keeping them clean, you can rely on the expertise of our professional plumbing services at Canberra Plumbing & Drains to help you get rid of drain flies and keep them away.
While we aren’t pest control professionals, we are expert plumbers who know what to look for in your drains, and how to get rid of drain fly infestations, especially around stagnant water.
We use state-of-the-art tools and equipment to get to the source of the problem and keep your drains clear all year long, especially with our drain cleaning services in Canberra.
If you want us to help you eliminate drain flies in your Canberra property, contact our team and meet a professional, hard-working crew ready to solve your plumbing problem. We are available by phone at (02) 6288 9929 and prepared to restore your plumbing to its best shape.
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