How do I permanently get rid of drain flies?

Why do drain flies keep coming back?

Besides inadequate control measures, another reason why you have drain flies present again could be because there was a secondary infestation in another site that was not discovered or treated. There may be other bathroom drains, or a floor drain, laundry room drain, or sump pump that are breeding flies.

Will drain flies eventually go away?

The length of the life cycle of a drain fly varies depending on the climate and temperature of the drain, but it can last anywhere from eight to 24 days. Once you've wiped out their breeding ground, the adults will eventually disappear because there is nowhere left for them to deposit their eggs.

How do professionals get rid of drain flies?

Plumbers may be able to open the pipes and clean out blockages after the issue is diagnosed. 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.

What is the best product to get rid of drain flies?

For effective drain fly treatment, use three products: Forid Drain Gel Cleaner, Gentrol IGR Aerosol, and Pyrid. Forid is an organic microbial grease degrader that breaks down organic material and waste, which will eliminate their food sources and their breeding grounds.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

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.

What is the lifespan of a drain fly?

Life Cycle: Adult females lay 30–100 eggs in sludge around sewage and drainage areas. Eggs hatch in 32–48 hours, larval stage lasts 8–24 days, pupal stage 20–40 hours. Adults live about two weeks.

How do you get rid of drain flies once and for all?

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.

Will bleach get rid of 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.

Why do I have so many drain flies?

Drain flies gather, mate, and lay eggs in moisture or standing water. The slimy film that forms in sewers and drains is a favorite breeding spot. Putting off regular cleaning and maintenance of these areas may attract the pests and offer them a place to feed and develop.

Can drain flies live in walls?

These nuisance gnats can be found resting on walls or ceilings, and make short hopping flights if disturbed. Drain flies often are a temporary problem. They develop in standing water so most commonly they are seen after returning home from a vacation or period of extended travel.

Where do drain flies lay eggs?

Drain fly larvae grow and feed in polluted, shallow water or in highly moist organic solids. The eggs, larvae and pupae can be found in the bacterial muck, slime or gelatinous film often accumulating on the sides of drains and overflow pipes in homes, sewage disposal beds, septic tanks and wet compost.

Can drain flies come from the toilet?

Drain flies breed in the buildup in pipes. While it is less common for them to appear in a toilet, it could be they are entering the bathroom through a faulty seal between the toilet and sewer flange.

Will Drano stop drain flies?

In most cases, Drano will kill drain flies, especially if it is a Drano variety that expands within the pipes. For long-term treatment, however, you will also need to take precautionary steps to keep the drain flies from returning.

Are drain flies attracted to vinegar?

Flies will be attracted to the cider vinegar and work their way inside and drown. A natural product called Bio-Clean is a nontoxic, environmentally friendly drain cleaner that eats away at organic matter blocking your drain. Once the drain is cleaned, the flies will start to disappear.

Do drain flies mean a broken pipe?

Drain flies can breed from under the slabs of your floor due to a broken drain pipe. They enter through the crack and exit through the drain. Using masking tape over these cracks will help you determine if you have drain flies breeding under your slabs.

How does vinegar get rid of drain flies?

Pour ½ a cup of salt, ½ a cup of baking soda, and one cup of vinegar down the drain. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, causing it to bubble and fizz. This reaction is what will kill the larvae. Leave the mixture overnight, then flush the next day with hot water.

Can drain flies make you sick?

Drain flies are small and gray. They do not bite, sting, or spread diseases, but their decaying bodies may cause allergic reactions. They can also spread bacteria from trash, decaying vegetables and fruits.

Why are there drain flies in my bedroom?

Gnats or fruit flies may have gathered in your bedroom for a few reasons, including: If no forgotten food is lying about, you may have a water issue. Check for leaks in a nearby bathroom or along the roof line. Houseplants can also host hundreds of tiny gnats.

Can drain fly larvae get in your skin?

What is myiasis? Myiasis is infection with a fly larva, usually occurring in tropical and subtropical areas. There are several ways for flies to transmit their larvae to people. Some flies deposit their eggs on or near a wound or sore, the larvae that hatch burrow into the skin.

How do drain flies get in your house?

Drain flies do not come up from your pipes or drains, rather they come from outdoors to the drain when they smell the organic matter they need to breed. Drain Flies get into your home through tiny holes. Drain flies are most active in the evening when they congregate around sinks and drains.

Can drain flies come through air vents?

Your Orkin Pest Specialist can identify where and how the animal gained access to your vent system. Once the moisture problems are resolved, the drain fly problem should also be under control. However, as long as there is damp soil or a possible leak from plumbing lines, drain flies will continue to be a problem.

How do I get rid of little black 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.

Are sewer flies a health hazard?

Sewer flies are small flies that resemble moths. In small numbers, they can be helpful in breaking down material that blocks drain pipes. However, sewer fly infestations grow rapidly, and serious infestations can create health hazards.