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Have Drain Flies? Here’s How to Get Rid of the Annoying Critters

How to get rid of annoying drain flies

Being bugged by pesky drain flies buzzing around your home? These little guys might look like harmless flies, but they can quickly become a big problem if left unchecked. A female drain fly can lay up to 300 eggs in one day, and if not caught early, you could end up with an unsightly infestation.

Don’t let drain flys wreak havoc in your home. Instead, follow our top tips for preventing and getting rid of these annoying pests.

What are Drain Flies?

Also known as moth flies or sewer gnats, these tiresome bugs enjoy setting up home around water sources, namely bathrooms, and kitchens. Female drain flies lay their eggs where there’s organic matter for their larvae to feed on.

 

 

These wet and sometimes musty places offer up several ideal living sites, including sinks, tubs, and even pet bowls – the perfect breeding ground for drain flies.

How Long Does a Drain Fly Live?

The good news is that drain flies don’t live very long. Their entire life cycle lasts only a few weeks. The bad news is that during that short time, they have the potential to multiply quickly and wreak havoc on your home.

Drain fly life cycle
In general, the lifecycle of these troublesome pests is:

  • The female lays her eggs where there’s moisture. Less than 1mm in size, the eggs take a couple of days to hatch.
  • This stage can last up to 15 days. Brown in color, the larvae feed on organic matter.
  • This short stage takes only 24-28 hours for an adult fly to emerge.
  • Males emerge first but only live for a few days. Females live up to a week, laying their eggs, so the cycle starts again.

Why Do Drain Flies Like Homes and Restaurants?

As previously mentioned, drain flies love spaces where there’s water. So hotspots for drain fly activity are bathrooms, kitchens, and outside areas with standing water.

What’s more, they survive by feeding on organic matter. Warm places with waste and water are a haven for drain flies. These little critters love visiting homes and restaurants, which offer the perfect environment for growth.

What Causes Drain Flies?

These tiny insects love to feed on gross stuff like hair, grease, and food particles that accumulate in your drains and pipes. Basically, they’re like mini, fuzzy garbage disposals on wings.

drain flies eat organic matter in your drains
And they aren’t fussy about a five-star hotel home. These micro beasts are perfectly content in standing water, clogged drains, leaky pipes, and even your trusty ol’ refrigerator pans. Anywhere that’s moist, damp, or downright wet is fair game for these winged pests.

 

What’s the Attraction to Drains?

Drain flies get their name for one simple reason – they love hanging out in drains. Unfortunately, blocked drains lead to a build-up of stagnant water and all the gunk associated with it. And it’s this greasy goo that provides a feast for drain flies and their larvae.

kitchen drain fly infestation

Signs you Have a Drain Fly Infestation

Seeing mini flies around your face while you brush your teeth or wash the dishes? You could have a drain fly issue. If you spot any of the following signs, it’s time to call in a plumbing expert.

  • Moth-like flies resting on the walls during the day or heading towards the light in the evening.
  • An abundance of flies around bathtubs drains and sinks.
  • Tube-like larvae underneath drain covers

Unfortunately, a problem with drain flies will not solve itself. The quicker you call in the pros, the easier it’ll be to stop the infestation before it gets worse.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

These flying home invaders are tricky bugs to get rid of. With their water-repellant hair and resistance to drowning, drain flies seem invincible. However, here are some simple DIY ways to help eliminate flies from your home while you wait for professional help.

 

 

  • Leave a cup coated with vegetable oil near the fly site. When drain flies enter the cup, they’ll get stuck in the oil.
  • Use a drain snake to dislodge clogs in your drain. Taking away the food source stops more female flies from laying eggs there.
  • Wash all sinks and basins with hot soapy water.
  • Clear away any crumbs of food lying in the sink and remove trash from the home to outside waste containers.
  • Use a metal pipe brush to give your pipes a good scrub inside and outside.

Call in the Professionals

DIY solutions help in the short term. But without the right equipment, you can’t be sure you’ve eradicated all the flies.

However, your local Adeedo plumbing team has the knowledge and resources to clean your pipes mechanically. They’ll also check for leaks that could cause drain fly issues in the future.

Don’t let drain flies be the bane of your life. Contact the team at Adeedo today and say goodbye to those annoying little critters.

 

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