How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about How to Get Rid of Drain Flies and hope the blog can help you.

Fuzzy winged insects flying out of seemingly clean sinks are the stuff of homeowners’ nightmares. If you can unclog and clean up a drain, however, you can rid your home of the problem.

Drain flies, also known as moth flies, are a common nuisance in many homes. These pests live and breed inside your plumbing pipes, feeding on decomposing material and laying eggs within the gelatinous slime that collects along the walls of your drain. According to Rich Mullins, an Indiana-based plumber with over 25 years of plumbing experience and founder of H20 Plumbing, “a clogged or slow-moving drain creates a perfect breeding ground for these pests and identifying an infestation can be tricky.” While these insects don’t bite or spread disease, no one likes to see tiny winged bugs flying out of otherwise clean sinks. If you see drain flies in your bathroom, follow these steps to identify the source of drain flies and the best drain fly killers to eliminate them.

What are drain flies?

Drain flies (Psychodidae) are tiny insects commonly found in, you guessed it, drains. They can also be found in damp areas and in standing water, including in unused toilets and sewage systems. These moth-like pests are small, measuring roughly ⅛ inch long, and feature a brown, black, or gray exoskeleton covered in fuzzy hairs. They thrive in moist environments and often lay their eggs in the debris that builds up inside drains. Drain fly larvae, known as maggots, can also develop in water. The larvae are often overlooked, however, because they are so small.

The life cycle of a drain fly can last anywhere from 8 to 24 days, dependiung on the temperature of the drain and the surrounding climate. If you’re wondering whether drain flies bite, rest assured that these pesky flies aren’t dangerous to humans, although they can become a nuisance once they invade a home or commercial space.

RELATED: How to Get Rid of Flies in the House

PRO TIP: How to Determine if You Have Drain Flies
“I advise using a simple test: place a piece of tape over the drain at night. If you find flies stuck to the tape in the morning, it’s a clear sign of an infestation.”
—Rich Mullins, founder of Indiana-based H20 Plumbing

Drain flies vs. fruit flies: What’s the difference?

Drain flies and fruit flies are often mistaken for each other, as they’re both small in size and similar in appearance. They do, however, have distinct differences.

Similarities:

• They both have small bodies.
• Both breed around standing water and in drains and garbage disposals.

Differences:

• Drain flies thrive in moist environments like drains and sewage systems; fruit flies are attracted to ripe fruits and vegetables.
• Drain flies primarily feed on debris and sludge-like substances; fruit flies are attracted to fruit and sugar.
• Drain flies have a fuzzy, moth-like appearance; fruit flies have a rounded, slender silhouette with clear wings.

RELATED: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies: 5 DIY Traps