\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Should I hire a plumber or an exterminator to address my drain fly problem? U.S. Geological Survey. css.appendChild(document.createTextNode(rule)); With a little diligence, you can stop them in their tracks with basic products or pantry items around the house and create a plan to stop them in the future. Repeat several nights in a row to fully assess the issue. scum deposits can be useful. What can I use to get rid of midges? Pour slowly into the drain and let it sit overnight. inner.style.display = "block"; We have put together two different safety kits that will make selecting the correct safety gear easier for you. b++; Stagnant pools of water, particularly in pipes and other drainage areas, attract drain flies. She is a board-certified entomologist and volunteers for USAIDs Farmer to Farmer program. from dark to light gray or tan, with spots on their wings, and a total body length // \n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}. } Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions. inner.style.display = "none"; Youll notice that they make large hops from place to place instead of buzzing around your home like other pests. Any areas of your home where its wet and shouldnt be are potential breeding grounds, so this is another reason to take care of all leaks and moisture problems ASAP. //alert(d.length); The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Next, cover the drain with masking tape or a plug to stop more flies from coming into the house. In short, no, drain flies are not harmful to humans. They are weak fliers, and spend much of their time at rest. // ]]> If the infestation is severe or you cannot fully get rid of them after several attempts, then a professional plumber or exterminator would be a good idea. Protect your home from pests, mosquitos, termites and more! Adults are covered with a layer of fine water-repelling hairs, making them difficult Adult flies can sustain themselves by consuming only water or flower nectar, and live To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com. return s4() + s4() + '-' + s4() + '-' + s4() + '-' + s4() + '-' + s4() + s4() + s4(); Poke a few holes in the top with a fork or toothpick and the flies will be attracted to the vinegar and won't be able to get back out. A clear plastic cup or glass jar, coated inside with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly, Thank you. Clean and Repair Drains Thoroughly clean in and around your home's drains, sinks, and drain pipes. } If an owner wishes to rid the aquarium of blood worms sooner rather than later, they should change the water as they normally would. In small numbers, the larvae of the common drain fly can help dissolve sludge in drain pipes and sewer mains, speeding the process by which wastes are broken down in the municipal sewer networks. var d = document.querySelectorAll('[id^=question]'); var d = new Date(); For effective control, larvae food sources must be eliminated to interrupt development Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals. [CDATA[ These products are unlikely to work against the intended pests, and can cause significant Cover and bring the ", covered the soils with fabric softener to prevent the flies from laying eggs. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Dont panicwere here to help! Combine this go-to mixture of pantry items to create a natural cleaning solution and pour it down your drain overnight. First, clean your sink and drain with your regular cleaning solution. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. a++; to dissolve and remove organic food sources. Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation. these insects are also referred to as moth flies or moth midges. They won't go away quickly on their own either since they can live for up to three weeks with new eggs hatching as quickly as every 48 hours. function threecolClick(b) { d[i].id = "ptac-faq" + a; must be registered and labeled for indoor use. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,140,043 times. } Most fruit flies, however, have bright red eyes and hairless bodies and wings. Read the labels carefully to find a product that targets organic matter. d[i].id = "ptac-faq-question" + b; This mixture is then poured down the drain and left to sit overnight. 6. Drain flies commonly go by a few nicknames such as moth flies or sink flies. Enzyme cleaners are non-toxic and made for kitchen use. "&el=" + encodeURIComponent(document.location.pathname); In most cases, Drano will kill drain flies, especially if it is a Drano variety that expands within the pipes. } 4. for (var y in children) { var inner = document.getElementById(test); can help a homeowner identify a source of infestation and breeding sites, as well count = d.length; To keep drain flies away, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain and flush it with warm water. 2. { // ]]> 5 Ways to Get Rid of Drain Flies Once the flies' source is found, you can eliminate the pests through the removal or cleaning of the source. Dump a pot of boiling water down the drawn twice a day for a week. Adults are //alert(d[i].id); Add a few drops of dish soap to a bowl of water, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. There are many easy ways to kill drain flies and prevent new ones from moving in. Start by using cup (64g) each of salt and baking soda and 1 cup (250 ml) of vinegar. Testimonials . you shouldn't need to use any chemicals, if you dry everything out, it should stop the flies. // As they try to escape, they will become trapped on the tape, and you'll have a good indication of just how many flies you're dealing with. To keep drain flies away, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain and flush it with warm water. What steps to take to rectify the problem. total life span is about 35 days. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Hands-on activities in an outdoor setting. var x = document.getElementById(b); This is a fairly rare occurrence, however; for the most part, this is a nuisance insect, not a dangerous one. Boil a medium-size pot of water once or twice per week, and pour down and around the drain. Drain Fly - Psychoda spp. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It may fizzle and foam, so be sure your. These chemical unclogging solutions will clear out the drain and pipes and help eliminate any materials or debris that may be creating a breeding ground for drain flies, thus preventing new eggs from hatching. A super simple fix is to pour boiling water down the drain to eliminate drain flies. Amanda Rose Newton holds degrees in Horticulture, Biochemistry, Entomology, and soon a PhD in STEM Education. If you have a large issue throughout your pipes, you may need to consult a pest control professional to get to the root of the larger issue. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. (function(){ We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. Once inside, drain flies may plug pipes and spread bacteria from the filth they live in, possibly . Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you're still seeing adult drain flies around, create an apple cider vinegar trap using a small dish covered in plastic wrap. This will effectively trap adults emerging from You can also add the same amount of salt as a disinfectant. iFrameID.height = ""; Spray this directly on the drain flies to kill them. Josh The Jake-Man Posts: 224 Yes, stagnant rainwater can be a breeding ground for drain flies. If youve noticed some little flies hopping around in your bathroom or kitchen, theres a chance that your sink is now a family of drain flies new home. Rinse in the morning with a few cups of boiling water. Orkin has been remediating pest control issues for homeowners across the country for more than a century, available in all states except for Alaska, Wyoming, and South Dakota. to drown. this stagnant water, feeding on soap scum and other organic sludge occurring on the 3 weeks or longer to break the life cycle. d[i].id = "threecolblock" + c; Here is a recap of all you need to know about stopping the problem before it gets out of hand. function guid() { [CDATA[ var a = 0; Other indoor areas where there is moist, decaying organic material can also be a breeding site for flies. Joshua is licensed by the NYSDEC (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) for termite control. reducing the likelihood of larvae returning. To prevent future drain fly infestations, clean your drains once a week. Why do I have drain flies just in my tub if I haven't used the tub in my apartment in 2 months? No, "Outstanding service with fast shipping and in supply products, wellpriced and backed up by an excellent company. Place 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar into a small glass bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Pour 1 cup of liquid white vinegar into the drain to make a foaming action with the baking soda. Poking holes in the plastic wrap will lure flies in but prevents their escape. There are also a variety of biodegradable drain gels and liquids that will thoroughly clean the pipes, eliminating the breeding ground for drain flies. var children = document.querySelectorAll('.ptac-plus .ptac-sign');