Sharing your home with pests isn’t any fun, especially when they take over your drains. Drain flies are a common home-invading small fly that live and breed in drains. Knowing what you’re up against can help you kick these pests out of your home. We’ve gathered information about drain flies to help you identify and eliminate an infestation.
What Do Drain Flies Look Like?
Drain flies have a hairy body that gives them a moth-like appearance. They are tiny bugs, growing to about 1/8" in length. These flies are gray or brown, and their wings are lighter in color and can have spots. Drain flies don’t fly as well as other flies and often move in irregular patterns.
What Causes Drain Flies?
Drain flies gravitate to areas that contain stagnant water and organic matter. They are often spotted in and near drains in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. These flies prefer drains that aren’t used frequently. They feed and breed on the decomposing matter found in drains. Leaky pipes that cause moisture build-up and water left in buckets can also attract drain flies.
Are Drain Flies Harmful?
These flies are typically considered a nuisance rather than dangerous. Drain flies don’t bite humans and aren’t known to carry diseases. They can multiply quickly, leading to large infestations. They also breed and hang out in unsanitary environments, which can cause contamination of food or food preparation surfaces if they land or walk on them.
How to Prevent Drain Flies
To keep drain flies from taking over your space, you’ll want to eliminate conducive conditions. Focus on eliminating stagnant water and organic matter. Make sure your drains are kept clean and aren’t clogged. You can clean your drains with a microbial drain cleaner that will digest the biofilm these flies breed and live in. Minimize moisture build-up around your home, and repair any leaky pipes. You’ll also want to make sure these flies can’t enter your home through cracks, gaps, and torn window or door screens.
How to Get Rid of Drain Flies
If drain flies have moved into your drains, a plant-based insecticide can help to get rid of them. Our Drain & Fruit Fly Killer kills adult drain flies, larvae, and eggs. It also helps to repel adult flies from laying eggs in the drain, helping to prevent future infestations. Apply 1-2 oz of the product to your drain, allowing the thickened formula to coat the sides. It’s best to avoid using the drain for at least one hour after treatment. When possible, allow the drain to sit overnight.
Having drain flies invade your home can be worrisome. Implementing a few preventative strategies can help to keep these pests away. If drain flies or other pests are bugging you, we have your back! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.