What Causes Drain Flies?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Drain flies primarily live on organic material found

in standing water

, which often includes sewage or other contaminated water, typically when it causes a film to build up in a humid area of pipes with standing water. Because of this, your are an ideal place for drain flies to thrive and reproduce.

Does bleach kill drain flies?

While this chemical might get rid of some larvae, bleach passes quickly down the drain and does not penetrate the thick build-up where eggs are deposited by the female drain fly and larvae live. As a result, in most cases,

bleach does not get rid of drain flies

.

How do you get rid of drain flies?

A super simple fix is to

pour boiling water down the drain

to eliminate drain flies. Boil a medium-size pot of water once or twice per week, and pour down and around the drain. Another easy option uses baking soda: Combine 1/2 cup salt with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, and pour down the drain.

What smells do drain flies hate?


Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass essential oils

– Not only will spraying these oils around the house create a beautiful aroma, but they will also deter those pesky flies too.

Are drain flies harmful?

How Serious Are Drain Flies? These pests are a nuisance because they infest in large numbers. Once inside, drain flies may plug pipes and spread bacteria from the filth they live in, possibly contaminating food in the process. These pests, even though they live in filth,

are not known to spread any disease to humans

.

How does vinegar get rid of drain flies?


Pour 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar into a glass and cover tightly with plastic wrap

. Poke holes in the plastic wrap with a fork and place the glass next to the sink. Flies will be attracted to the cider vinegar and work their way inside and drown.

How do I get rid of little flies in my bathroom?

You can eliminate the flies already inside with a quick trap:

Fill a bowl or jar with equal parts sugar, water and white vinegar, then add 5 to 10 drops of liquid dish soap

. Leave the jar next to the sink or shower drain overnight or up to a week until the flies are gone.

Can drain flies come from the toilet?

Drain flies generally are found

near their breeding areas

, so if they are appearing in your toilet or bathroom, that is the best place to start.

Will baking soda kill drain flies?

Baking Soda, Boiling Water & Vinegar

Combing, boiling water, vinegar

and baking soda will kill drain flies

, but will also help remove all the flies breeding ground which includes hair, grime and grease. It will create a chemical reaction and an clear the blockages caused by organic matter in the drainpipe.

Will drain flies go away on their own?

These “drain flies” (also known as moth flies) are very small…about a sixth of an inch. …

Nine times out of ten, a drain fly problem will go away on its own

. Once you get rid of the drain flies that you see, start flushing toilets and running the water in your sinks.

What spray kills drain flies?

Use a

Liquid Dish Soap Spray

.

Dish Soap contains borax, which has insecticidal properties. You could add 7 drops of dish soap with 2 cups of warm water and spray it directly over the drain flies to kill them instantly.

How do I get rid of little black flies in my bathroom?

Because drain flies live off the sludge inside your pipes, it makes sense to keep them as clear as possible with regular cleaning. You can do this with a

simple mixture of dish soap or vinegar and water

.

Can exterminators get rid of drain flies?

Exterminators understand drain flies, their life cycle, and how to best get rid of them. … However, exterminators can also help with this process by using

organic enzyme drain cleaners or gels

. These work by ‘eating' the organic material buildup in pipes and drains where flies are living.

Are drain flies beneficial?

Like many true flies, they

can be important decomposers

. You can even think of them as your own little plumbers, slowly feeding on the organic buildup in your pipes.

Can't find where drain flies are coming from?

Drain flies can come from

organic buildups in any area where there is standing water

. Check your bathroom drains, kitchen sink, shower, sump pump, sewage system, and even floorboards where there might be a pipe leak. Look for multiple flies hanging out on the walls near these possible sources.

How does Dawn dish soap get rid of gnats?

In a small bowl,

mix a half cup of warm water plus two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of sugar, and about six drops of liquid dish soap

. Gnats will be lured in by the sugary mixture, but once they dip in for a drink, the sticky dish soap will trap them.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.