How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

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Have you noticed small, fuzzy insects crowding around your sink drains and showers? While these little bugs might look like moths, they’re actually called drain flies. As their name suggests, these insects are attracted to the stagnant water that collects around drains. Essentially, they’re more than happy to feed off of sewage, polluted water, and other organic materials.

Although these insects are harmless, no homeowner wants them bouncing around their bathroom or kitchen. Let’s discuss how to get rid of drain flies for good and what causes drain flies to flock to your home in the first place.

What Causes Drain Flies?

Drain flies are sometimes referred to as “moth flies” due to their appearance or “filter flies.” But no matter what you might call them, what causes drain flies to appear? In short, these insects will gravitate to any source of standing water they can find. These sources range from buckets full of water to your upstairs bathroom drain pipes.

Drain flies breed in this standing water — and they breed fast — which can lead to a drain fly infestation before you know it. They lay eggs quickly and hatch them even quicker. Now that you know what causes drain flies to flock toward your home and the various parts of your plumbing system, you’ll want to learn how to get rid of drain flies quickly. Fortunately, we have you covered.

First, Try Boiling Water

When learning how to get rid of drain flies, it’s always best to start with the simplest solution. If you have a drain fly problem at your drains, you can try flushing these insects out with boiling water. All you have to do is pour a pot of boiling water down your drain a few times a week. This hot water will remove any eggs that are stuck to the inside of your pipes.

Use Baking Soda, Salt, and Vinegar

Besides boiling water, there are few other household items you can use to clear away drain flies. After all, learning how to get rid of drain flies doesn’t have to be an expensive or complicated process.

If boiling water doesn’t do the trick, you can try a mixture of baking soda, salt, and vinegar. This combination, which doubles as a homemade drain cleaner, can whisk away any larvae and eggs that are in your drains.

Combine ½ cup of baking soda with ½ cup of salt and 1 cup of vinegar. Pour this mixture into the affected drain and let it sit overnight. In the morning, simply flush the drain with boiling or warm water.

Make an Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Are you looking for ways to trap fully-grown drain flies? If so, you can make your own fly trap —  no professional pest control needed.

Fill a small container or bowl with apple cider vinegar, then cover the container with plastic wrap. Once everything is in place, poke a few holes in the plastic wrap. The drain flies will be attracted to the apple cider vinegar and enter the bowl. However, they won’t be able to get out. Since you already know what causes drain flies, it makes sense that a trap like this would work.

Keep Your Drains Clean With the Experts

Like fruit flies, another common pest, drain flies can appear suddenly one day — and seem to never go away. Now that you know what causes drain flies, you can better prevent them from congregating inside your home. However, if these insects have already found the stagnant water in your drains, you also now know how to get rid of drain flies with household staples.

You can also avoid a drain fly infestation by scheduling a professional drain cleaning. At Gold Star, we use only the most advanced methods and leading equipment during our Long Island, NY drain cleaning services. Contact our drain plumbers today to learn more about our services in Hicksville, NY, and the surrounding areas!