How to Get Rid of Drain Flies
If you've ever seen small, dark flies hovering around your drains, sinks, or showers, you may have encountered drain flies. These pesky pests are commonly found in damp areas and can be a real nuisance. While they don't bite humans or pose a major health threat, they can be extremely annoying because of their constant presence near damp areas in your home. If you're wondering how to get rid of drain flies, there are some things you need to learn first.
This guide from DIY Pest Warehouse will provide you with all the information you need to identify drain flies and understand their behavior. With our support, you can start getting rid of drain flies in your home. Keep reading to learn more from industry experts you can trust.
Signs of An Infestation
Whether you have seen drain bugs in bathrooms or bugs coming out of drains, it's important to understand these pests before finding a solution to get rid of the drain flies in your home. Here are a few signs of infestation:
- Bugs in and around sinks
- Larvae in trash cans or potted plants
- Flies resting on walls
- Bugs near light sources
Keep reading to learn how to treat drain flies.
Drain Fly Hazards
Before we discuss steps on how to get rid of drain flies, it's important to understand the potential hazards they present in your home.
- Diseases: While they are not known to bite or sting humans, drain flies can carry diseases.
- Bacteria & Viruses: They have been known to spread bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, as well as other viruses, including polio and hepatitis.
- Contamination: Drain fly larvae also consume decaying matter, which can cause them to become contaminated with disease-causing bacteria. These contaminants can be transferred to humans when the drain fly comes in contact with food or surfaces that are not properly cleaned.
Therefore, it's important to take measures to get rid of drain flies as soon as you see them in your home. Put together a plan for getting rid of drain flies and shop for appropriate drain fly products that professionals use.
Getting Rid of Drain Flies
If you’re wondering what kills drain flies, DIY Pest Warehouse has your answer. Some of the best options you have include:
- Aerosol Insecticides: These products can kill on contact.
- Insect Growth Regulators: Use IGRs to prevent drain flies from reaching the next life cycle stage and breeding.
- Insecticide Concentrates: How you treat drain flies when there’s a large infestation.
- Insecticide Granules: Good for getting rid of drain flies coming in from outside.
Carefully follow all the instructions on the label of the product you choose to ensure you get rid of the drain flies in your home safely and efficiently.
How to Prevent Drain Flies
You now know how to treat drain flies, but how can you prevent them from breeding in your house in the first place? Here are some regular maintenance activities you can add to your routine to prevent infestations.
- Clean your drain regularly with soap, boiling water, and baking soda to prevent an environment where drain flies may thrive.
- Don’t leave plates and cups with food and drink residue in or around your sink. Rinse dishes right away.
- Pay special attention to drains that have hair and grease buildup, including shower drains.
Keep an eye on potted plants and repot them if they’ve been overwatered. Anywhere that has excess water can be an ideal breeding ground for drain bugs.
FAQ
Have more questions about how to treat drain flies? Check out the most common concerns here.
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Drain flies lay eggs in moist organic matter. They can lay 10 to 200 eggs at one time. After the eggs are laid, they hatch in approximately two days. They spend the next 9 to 15 days as larvae, feeding and growing before entering the pupal stage for 20 to 40 hours, after which they are considered adults. The life cycle can take as little as eight days to complete, but it might take up to 24 days under varied environmental and temperature conditions.
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If you want to get rid of drain flies, you have to understand where you're most likely to find them. These small flies are often found near moist and organic matter, such as food waste.
They thrive in areas with standing, dirty water, and are often found in:
- Residential and commercial drains
- Damp kitchen and bathroom sinks
- Infrequently used bathrooms
- Sewage systems
- Near toilet tanks
- Septic tanks
- Moist compost
- Cesspools
- Dirty garbage cans
- Other places where rainwater collects, such as tree holes
Get rid of drain flies by ensuring they don’t have an opportunity to breed.
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Drain flies get their name because they are often found near drains, both inside and outside homes or business properties. They are small insects, only growing to be about a quarter-inch long or a sixth of an inch long. Their bodies and wings are covered in tiny hairs, which give them a fuzzy appearance.
They have dark and winged bodies that range from gray to dark brownish-black. Because of their size and coloring, they are sometimes mistaken for gnats. Drain flies are most active at night when they are attracted to light, so you might see them near lamps or televisions. During the day, they rest on walls and ceilings. With a clear picture of how they look, it's easy to get rid of the drain flies in your home.
How DIY Pest Warehouse Can Help
If you've seen drain bugs in bathrooms or kitchens, or any bugs coming out of drains, then you may have a drain fly problem. At DIY Pest Warehouse, we can help you get rid of drain flies and keep them from coming back. We carry a wide variety of proven and easy-to-use DIY pest control products that will kill drain flies and their larvae, so you can get your home back to being pest-free.
Our solutions for how to treat drain flies include glue, gels, and foams specially formulated to eliminate drain bug infestations right at the source. Simply apply the product to affected drains and let it work its magic. In no time, you'll see a significant reduction in drain fly activity, and your home will be back to being the haven it should be. We offer low prices, reliable product support, and excellent customer service.
With this information on how to get rid of drain flies, you’re ready to get started. Looking for details on dealing with other pests? Read our pest guides or contact our industry experts.
