How do you prevent drain flies?

The best way to keep drain flies out of your home is to clean your drains every other week using a mixture of salt, baking soda, and vinegar, followed by boiling water. Make sure to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible to prevent them from finding a way to their desired breeding ground.

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.

Where are drain flies 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 smells keep drain flies away?

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.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

Can drain flies come from toilets?

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.

Does boiling water get rid of drain flies?

Carefully pour a pot full of boiling water down the drain. The heat will kill the drain flies. If you are afraid the boiling water will crack any surfaces, lower the temperature and use hot water instead. Pour one cup of white vinegar to kill off any remaining eggs that might be clinging to the pipes.

Why are flies coming out of my shower drain?

Bathroom drains are a prime breeding ground too, especially in showers. Because shower pans often leak, drain flies are attracted to the moisture. Furniture in your kitchen that has cracks and crevices will attract the breeding of drain flies. These flies can sometimes come from outside due to a nearby water source.

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.

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.

What is the best drain fly Killer?

Why won't drain flies go away?

Imperfect mechanical cleaning is the number one reason why drain flies keep showing up over and over again. Eggs and larvae are highly resistant to heat and chemicals, including harsh ones, such as bleach (source).

Do drain flies survive winter?

Drain flies find their way inside at some point before cold weather shows up and need "open water" to breed. Indoor humidity drops once the furnace comes online, and fungus gnats stay close to their food source and the higher humidity of the houseplants so they may not be a large problem.

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.

Are drain flies harmful?

Are drain flies harmful? No, drain flies aren't harmful, but can be quite a nuisance in large numbers.

Do drain flies mean I have a leak?

Sign of a Problem.

If you notice an increase in flies in your kitchen and bathroom, you could have a leak or a clogged drain. Drain flies are attracted to moist places, making a leaky pipe or a clogged drain the perfect place for them. If you notice an increase in flies, then it's a good idea to talk to your plumber.

What do drain flies feed on?

They feed on flower nectar and polluted water. During the day, adults rest in shaded areas or on walls near plumbing fixtures and on the sides of showers and tubs. Most activity occurs during the evening when these flies are seen hovering about drains and sinks.

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.

Why do I always have flies in my bathroom?

Fruit flies are commonly found in bathrooms because they love moisture. A bathroom drain is full of moist organic matter, making it the perfect place for these fruit flies to reproduce. Since female flies can lay dozens of eggs each day, what started out as a few flies can quickly become hundreds of flies.

How do I get rid of black flies in my shower?

Can drain flies come from sump pump?

Drain flies typically infest drains, sump pump pits, and sewage systems, thus in homes, they usually can be found in bathrooms and kitchens. They need humid places for breeding because their larvae live in aquatic habitats and feed on bacteria.

How can you tell the difference between a drain fly and a fruit fly?

While visually distinct, both pests are tiny at about one-eighth of an inch long. A drain fly, also known as a sewer fly, has a moth-like appearance with fuzzy wings, antennae, and black or brown coloring. A fruit fly has red eyes and a body that can range from brown to yellow with dark stripes or spots.

Can drain flies live in 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 sewer flies in my house?

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.

How do you trap drain flies?

One way is to set a trap — a bowl containing one part water, one part sugar and one part white vinegar. Add five to eight drops of dish soap. Leave the bowl overnight, and adult drain flies should be attracted to it.