Tips to manage Drain flies

Besides the common housefly that can become pretty annoying, buzzing around your face, not to mention seeking to light on meals that are being prepared, spreading germs, there are also drain flies that can be just as annoying. As the name says, drain flies’ favorite areas to hang out are kitchen sinks, bathtubs, and showers. What makes them stay longer in these areas are drains that are hardly used daily. Other names drain flies go by are filter flies, sink flies, or moth flies. Besides hanging out around drain areas, here are signs that you have a drain fly issue.

The adult drain fly feeds on sludge, stagnant water, decomposing organic matter, and sewage. The larvae, however, feed on fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms that develop in drains. During the day, the adults can be found resting on walls near plumbing fixtures in shaded areas or even outdoors on the building exterior.

How to Know if you have a Drain fly Issue

• You will see drain flies resting on the walls in bathrooms.
• Rest near breeding materials.
• Congregating in large numbers.
• Drain fly activity heightens at night time where they congregate towards light sources.
• Drain flies can be seen during the evening, flying around sinks, drains, and other moist areas.
• Drain flies can only hop or jump from one surface to the next, they can fly short not long distances.

Drain Fly Identification

Drain flies resemble tiny moths; these flies measure about 1.5 to 5 mm long, have six legs, antennae, tan or light gray bodies, and lighter-colored fuzzy wings that are shaped like leaves. When drain flies are resting, their wings sit over their body as offering protection.

How to Prevent Drain Flies

There is a saying that “prevention is better than cure.” While it may be difficult to prevent drain flies, here are some steps to take to reduce their attraction to your drains.

• Keep drains from becoming clogged by preventing food and other large particles from going down the drain.

How to Treat a Drain Fly Infestation

To treat for drain fly issue, here are effective measures that can be taken to bring complete control.

• Try Baking Soda: Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of salt, pour this mixture down the drain, and leave overnight. In the morning, pour boiling water down the drain.
• Try Apple Cider Vinegar: The Apple cider vinegar trap will bring control. To make this trap, pour apple cider vinegar into a mall dish and cover the dish with plastic wrap. Next, poke some small holes in the plastic wrap. Drain flies will be lured in but will not be able to escape.
• Keep Your Sink Clean: Use kitchen cleaning solution that you normally use to clean with, clean the inside and around your sink and drain. A scrub or a pipe brush can help you accomplish this.
• Hot Water Use: Pouring hot water down your sink’s drain may be the quickest and easiest solution, but excess or continuing to pour hot water down the drain may damage the pipe by causing it to crack.
• Drain Cleaners: Numerous drain cleaners can be purchased from your supermarket to clear drains. Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions on the label for proper use.

Additional information

• To discourage the presence of drain flies, give your pipes a regular flushing with a cleaning solution or water. For drains that are hardly used, use a drain stopper to keep drain flies away.
• Musca-Stik Sticky Fly Trap can be set up in your kitchen and rooms where drain flies are located to trap and eliminate them.

Conclusion

When it comes to controlling drain flies, it is that simple. Following these steps will ensure that you have success. Why let drain flies move in and become a nuisance when you can strike back, bringing an end to their infestation? Take quick action now and bring control to your drain fly issue.