Getting rid of drain flies can be a persistent and frustrating challenge, often requiring more than conventional methods to truly eliminate the problem. While many turn to vinegar and baking soda concoctions, drain flies demand a more comprehensive approach due to their rapid reproductive cycle. In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore a multi-step process to effectively rid your home of drain flies and prevent their return.
Step 1: Keep your drain clean to create an environment less inviting for drain fly larvae. It’s crucial to maintain a clean drain. This includes regular cleaning of your garbage disposal and ensuring no food accumulates around the edges or in the nooks and crannies. Adopt a nightly routine of running and rinsing the disposal before bedtime to keep your drain clean.
Step 2: Kill the larvae with boiling water. Tackling existing larvae is the next step, and pouring boiling water down the drain is a potent method. Given drain flies’ rapid life cycle, it’s essential to repeat this process for several days. Adult drain flies live for about two weeks, so I would recommend pouring boiling water in your drains for 15 days. The boiling water on the first day may have killed the larvae in the drain, but it didn’t kill the adults flying around. Those adults will return to the drain that evening to lay more eggs, starting the cycle again. By consistently eliminating larvae, you disrupt their life cycle and prevent the recurrence of the issue.
Step 3: Natural Repellents and Biological Cleaners. The use of natural repellents around drains, such as essential oils (peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree oil), can help deter drain flies from laying eggs in your drain. Additionally, consider incorporating biological drain cleaners containing enzymes or bacteria to break down organic matter, preventing the buildup that attracts drain fly larvae.
You can also use a DIY Drain Cleaning Solution, such as a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water. However, as I mentioned before, this is not a once-and-done method. The key is to repeat the boiling water for 15 days to disrupt their life cycle. It is still recommended to do regular maintenance using these solutions to keep drains clear and less attractive to drain flies.
Step 4: Sealing Cracks and Gaps Address potential entry points by inspecting and sealing any cracks or gaps near drains and pipes. Closing off these openings denies drain flies access to your home, contributing to a long-term solution.
Step 5: Professional Pest Control: Acknowledge that severe infestations may require professional pest control services. Experts can identify the source of the problem and provide targeted solutions for effective and lasting elimination.
Step 7: Apple cider vinegar traps for Adult Flies. This combats adult drain flies with an environmentally friendly trap. The adult drain flies are attracted to the apple cider vinegar and drown in the solution. Enhance the trap by adding a drop of dish soap to break the surface tension, and cover the bowl with clear plastic wrap with a few holes poked into it, creating a confusing exit for the flies. The flies smell the apple cider and fly through the holes but can’t find their way back out.
Step 8: Pour out any standing water in saucers under house plants, as drain flies can lay in other moist environments. Observe house plants to ensure that you don’t see any pest activity. If you do, treat the house plant with an appropriate pest killer.
Keeping your kitchen and surrounding areas clean and dry is the best defense you have against drain flies.
A Closer Look at Different Species of Drain Flies
- Psychodidae Family: The Common Culprits
- Most drain flies belong to the Psychodidae family, commonly known as “moth flies” or “filter flies.”
- Psychoda and Clogmia are two prevalent genera within this family, each with distinct characteristics.
- Psychoda Genus: The Standard Drain Fly
- Psychoda species are often the standard drain flies found in kitchens and bathrooms.
- These small, dark flies measure about 1.5 to 5 millimeters in length.
- Their fuzzy appearance and distinctive veined wings set them apart.
- Clogmia Genus: The Moth-Like Drain Fly
- Clogmia, also known as “moth-like” or “moth flies,” is another common genus within the Psychodidae family.
- These drain flies exhibit a unique moth-like appearance, with fuzzy wings and a distinctive coloration ranging from tan to dark brown.
- Telmatoscopus Genus: The Filter Fly
- Telmatoscopus, commonly known as “filter flies,” boasts a distinctive humpbacked appearance.
- With a more robust body and distinct wing shape, these flies often inhabit sewage and drainage systems.
- Chironomidae Family: The Non-Drain Fly Culprits
- Sometimes, midges from the Chironomidae family are mistaken for drain flies due to their similar size and appearance.
- Unlike drain flies, midges do not breed in drains but may gather in large swarms near bodies of water.
Understanding The Drain Fly Life Cycle & Habits
- Life Cycle: Drain flies undergo a four-stage life cycle, progressing from egg to larva, pupa, and finally, the adult fly.
- Adult females lay 30–100 eggs in sludge around sewage and drainage areas. Eggs hatch in 32–48 hours, the larval stage lasts 8–24 days, and the pupal stage lasts 20–40 hours. Adults live for about two weeks.
- Habitats: While drains are a favored breeding ground, drain flies can also inhabit organic-rich environments like decaying vegetation, compost, or sewage systems.
