Drain flies can have many names. “Moth flies,” “sink flies,” and “sewer flies” are just some of the nicknames these pesky little insects are given. Of course, all of these monikers are appropriate, as drain flies are known for looking like tiny moths and like to gather around kitchen and bathroom plumbing.
If you’ve spotted a few of these critters in your home, you’re probably eager to remove them as soon as possible. Drain flies are not harmful, but they can be annoying to deal with on a daily basis, especially if they’re constantly crowding around your drains.
Below, we’ll discuss how to get rid of drain flies and what you can do to prevent these insects from taking up residence inside your home.
What Causes Drain Flies to Appear?
Before we can go over the best way to get rid of drain flies, it’s important to know where these insects come from and why they might be causing you problems in the first place.
You’re most likely to find drain flies in and around your sink and shower drains — anywhere standing water is present. These insects feed off of the organic material found in stagnant water, and they’ll lay their eggs nearby.
Drain flies shouldn’t be mistaken for fruit flies; there’s a substantial difference between these two insects. Fruit flies tend to eat overly ripe fruit and vegetables — so you aren’t likely to find them near your drains.
What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Drain Flies?
Drain fly infestations can come in many shapes and sizes. You might stop one or two of these insects around your shower drains, or you might discover that there are about a dozen of them hovering around your sink. Whatever the case may be, there are methods you can use to remove them once and for all.
Drain flies live only about 20 days, but they can reproduce excessively in this short period of time, laying more than 300 eggs within the span of two days.
Remove Standing Water
When discussing how to get rid of drain flies, it’s important to stress how big of a problem standing water can be. Any kind of stagnant water — around drains, buckets, or birdbaths — can be a perfect place for drain flies to breed.
First and foremost, you’ll want to get rid of any standing water that you see. It’s important to remove standing water as quickly as possible to ensure drain flies don’t flock to it. Some cleanup may be simple, such as drying the area around your shower drains. However, if you’re dealing with a bigger problem like a septic tank backup, you’ll want to schedule a septic tank pumping in Roanoke, VA.
Perform a Tape Test
If you think you’re dealing with a drain fly infestation but don’t know how severe the problem is, you might want to consider performing a duct tape test. All you have to do is place a piece of duct tape over the affected drain. If there are flies in the drain, they’ll try to fly to the surface and get stuck to the tape.
In the morning, simply remove the piece of duct tape and check for any drain flies that may have stuck to it. The more drain flies that are present, the bigger the problem likely is.
Fortunately, there are many other steps you can take to remove these drain flies for good. Let’s take a look at some easy drain-cleaning methods you can use.
Clean Your Drains
When learning how to get rid of drain flies, don’t overlook the power of easy DIY drain cleaning methods. There are many drain cleaners you can make with pantry staples that will help you tackle any sized drain fly problem you’re dealing with.
One of the simplest drain-cleaning solutions is a pot of boiling water. After boiling the water on your stove, carefully pour it down the affected drain. For maximum effectiveness, you’ll want to repeat this process twice daily for at least a week.
If you’re looking for a drain cleaner that’s a little more robust, you might want to try a baking soda, salt, and vinegar solution. Gather ½ cup of baking soda, ½ cup of salt, and 1 cup of vinegar. After pouring these ingredients into the drain in the order listed above, let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, pour boiling water down the drain to flush it out.
Some homeowners will say that this baking soda, salt, and vinegar solution is one of the best ways to get rid of drain flies since it’s easy and effective. However, it’s important to note that you may need to repeat the process a few times before the problem is completely resolved.
Make a Trap
If you want an effective way to kill drain flies where you actually see the results, you might want to consider making an apple cider vinegar trap. Simply fill a small bowl with some apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. Cover the bowl with a layer of plastic wrap and poke small holes into it. The drain flies will fly into the trap, but they won’t be able to fly out.
Some homeowners may consider this to be the best way to get rid of drain flies that have fully matured. However, if you’re worried about young drain flies and larvae living in your drains, you might want to try a drain cleaning solution or contact a drain cleaning expert for assistance.
How to Prevent Drain Flies
Now that you know how to get rid of drain flies, you’re probably wondering how you can keep the problem under control. When it comes down to it, you’ll want to keep your drains as clean as possible. One of the best ways to maintain clean, clog-free drains is to call a professional plumber for a drain cleaning service.
There are many drain cleaning options available that can help you address a wide range of concerns. The plumbing company you choose can help you find the best solution for your needs.
Keep Your Drains Sparkling Clean With Davis!
All-in-all, there really isn’t one best way to get rid of drain flies. There are many different methods you can try — and what might work for another homeowner might not work for you. If you need help removing or preventing a drain fly problem, turn to Davis Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric!
Our plumbers in Roanoke, VA, are trained and experienced in providing a broad range of services. We’re proud to offer everything from high-quality drain cleanings to septic tank pumping. Contact us today for more information about our services!