Stagnant water and bacteria tend to accumulate in drains, especially if they remain unused over a long period of time.
If you spot numerous small, moth-like insects hovering around your sinks or showers, it’s possible that you’re dealing with drain flies. These pesky insects breed rapidly and can quickly become a nuisance. Fortunately, eradicating them can be relatively simple with the right tools and supplies.
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Read on to learn more about drain flies and how to check for them. Once you know how to identify them, find out how to get rid of these pesky flies found in your bathroom and prevent an infestation.
What Are Drain Flies?
Causes of drain flies
Ever wondered why drain flies are attracted to your home? These tiny insects are drawn to stagnant pools of water, especially in pipes and other drainage locations, where organic matter accumulates easily and quickly. This accumulation of organic matter provides the ideal feeding and breeding ground for drain flies.
How To Check For Drain Flies In Your Bathroom
You may have recently spotted a couple of drain flies in your bathroom, but do they come from your drain or outside your home? Here are 2 straightforward methods to check if these pests are breeding in your pipes.
Use duct tape
One of the most hassle-free ways to check for drain flies in your pipe is by using duct tape. Seal your drain opening with a piece of duct tape overnight. As drain flies make their way to the surface, they will stick to the tape and become trapped.
This method not only gets rid of some drain flies but also provides insight into the extent of the infestation. You can repeat this process for several consecutive nights to determine the severity of the issue.
Check the drain cover
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The accumulation of organic matter at the opening of your drain makes it a conducive site for drain flies to lay eggs.
To check for drain fly larvae, take off the drain cover and remove some of the slimy buildup from the sides. If you find thin, tube-like structures within the slime, they might be drain fly larvae. If you fail to find any larvae but are confident that an infestation is present, it could mean that the eggs are deposited further down in the pipes.
How To Get Rid Of Drain Flies In Your Bathroom
Getting rid of drain flies can be tricky – these insects are surprisingly resistant as their fine water-repellent body hairs keep them from drowning. Furthermore, their eggs aren’t affected by bleach.
To eradicate these pests effectively, it’s crucial to eliminate the source of the problem: moist, decaying organic matter which drain flies rely on for food. Once you’ve made their feeding and breeding grounds inhospitable, you can stop their reproduction.
Here’s how to get rid of organic matter in your pipes with some supplies that are easily found in your home or your nearest supermarkets.
Method 1: Boiling water
Method 2: Baking soda, salt and vinegar
Method 3: Soap, water, sugar and vinegar
Method 4: Drain cleaner
Drain flies are usually found in or around pipes. Thus, drain cleaners and drain clog removers can be effective in eliminating them. As different products may come with different instructions, be sure to read and follow the product labels carefully.
Note!Some drain cleaning products may be very potent. For your safety and to prevent damage to your pipes, we recommend checking if the products can be used more than once.
Method 5: Mothballs
Tip!If you’re using this method for your shower drain, you can push the cover and mothballs aside before showering to allow the water to flow. After you’re done with the shower, push the mothballs and cover back over the drain opening.
How To Prevent Drain Fly Infestations
Prevention is always better than cure. Instead of dealing with an infestation, it’s best to keep these pesky flies away from your home and prevent them from laying eggs. Follow these tips to reduce the chances of drain flies making a home in your pipes.
Clean the sink, drain and pipes regularly
Maintaining clean and clear drains is critical in preventing drain fly infestations since these pests feed on organic matter found within pipes. Thus, we recommend making drain cleaning a part of your regular home cleaning routine.
Use a stiff cleaning brush and some dish soap or vinegar to thoroughly scrub the drains and sinks. Afterwards, rinse with boiling water to flush out any remaining debris.
Get rid of stagnant water
Drain flies thrive in moist environments, particularly in areas where organic matter is present. Therefore, it’s essential to eliminate any stagnant water or damp spots in the house. Examples of these include water in a shower drain and on moist soil found in houseplants.
By removing these sources of moisture, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of a drain fly infestation.
Seal infrequently used drains with a stopper
To prevent drain flies from breeding in infrequently used drains, we recommend closing them off with a stopper. This will make it difficult for the flies to find a breeding ground for reproduction. By doing so, you can eliminate the possibility of an infestation.
FAQs About Getting Rid Of Drain Flies
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens
