What are Drain Flies?

Drain flies are tiny, fuzzy insects that thrive in slow or clogged drain systems, and areas where water pools. With a lifespan of up to two weeks, they reproduce quickly, laying up to 300 eggs every 48 hours, leading to quick infestations.

What Causes Drain Flies?

If you're seeing small, fuzzy flies buzzing around your sinks, showers, or drains, chances are you likely have drain flies and a potential clog.

These pesky insects love damp, organic-rich areas, which often develop when water flow is restricted. Making clogged drains and sewers, leaky pipes, and standing water the perfect breeding grounds for them.

Some of the main causes behind a drain fly infestation are:

Standing Water: Drain flies need still water to lay their eggs. Think clogged drains, slow-draining sinks, leaky pipes anywhere water hangs out for a while. They lay their eggs in the slimy film that forms in these wet spots.
Gunk in Your Drains: Drain flies love to munch on the decaying gunk that builds up in your drains – hair, grease, food scraps, you name it. This is their main food source.
Drain and Sewer Issues: Clogged drains, leaky pipes, or other problems within your sewer or septic system can cause standing water. This water traps food and other debris, creating the perfect breeding ground for drain flies.
High Humidity: Damp places like basements and bathrooms give drain flies the moisture they need to survive and breed.
Outside Entry: Sometimes, drain flies can sneak in from outdoors through small cracks around windows, doors, or vents. They're especially drawn to homes near outdoor drains or standing water.

How Can I Tell If There’s Flies In My Drain?

There are a number of ways to determine if flies are hiding in your drains, including waving your hand near the drain, running the garbage disposal, or covering it up with tape overnight.

Close-up of an adult drain fly. Drain flies can sometimes be easily detectable, though in other cases you might need to be sure they’re living in your lines.

Sure, you might see them hopping around in one of your rooms, but how can you be completely positive that they’re inhabiting your drains?

Here’s a few tricks:

Wave your hand near the drain, so air passes over it. If there are flies in there, they’ll exit and fly around when they’re disturbed by any type of air movement.
If you think they’re in your sink drain located in your kitchen, one that features a garbage disposal, running it will disturb any flies hiding inside and cause them to fly out.
Place tape or an adhesive over the drain, leaving it overnight and inspecting it the next morning to see if any of the adult flies have been caught by the sticky surface.

Are Drain Flies Harmful?

While drain flies are not harmful to humans, they can be annoying and spread bacteria.

Here's why you shouldn't ignore them:

Food Contamination: Drain flies can bring germs from dirty drains or trash to food prep areas.
Allergic Reactions: For those with allergies or asthma, being around drain flies can cause mild symptoms like sneezing or itching.
Rare Cases of Myiasis: In rare cases, drain fly larvae can cause a condition called myiasis, which is when they develop in human tissue. It's super rare, but still something to keep in mind.
Clogged Drains: Drain flies can multiply fast and cause serious clogs in your pipes.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

Dealing with drain flies can be a real headache, but don't worry, there are effective ways to get rid of them.

Here are some steps you can take:

Regularly Clean Your Drains: Make it a habit to scrub your sinks and drains regularly. It's your first line of defense against drain flies. Use a long-handled drain brush and some cleaning agents to get in there and dislodge that grime.
The Boiling Water Treatment: For minor infestations, try pouring boiling water down the drain. It can melt away the grease that drain flies love, but be careful with PVC pipes, as repeated use can damage them.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Mix: Mix half a cup of salt with half a cup of baking soda. Pour the mixture down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it sit overnight to clear out the buildup. In the morning, flush it with boiling water. This method works well for smaller drain fly problems, but it may not fix deeper issues.
Apple Cider Vinegar Trap: Drain flies love the smell of apple cider vinegar. Set out a small dish of it, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke a few small holes in the wrap. The drain flies will be attracted to the smell and get trapped inside.
Use Drain Cleaner: Use a microbial or biological drain cleaner like Zoom Drain Bio™ to clear out debris and organic waste from your pipes. This removes the drain flies' food source and breeding ground.
Remove Water and Food Sources: Get rid of any standing water and decaying material around your sinks, showers, and under sinks. Fix any leaks in these areas to prevent breeding sites.
Use Drain Covers: Cover your drains with screens or stoppers to keep drain flies from getting in and laying eggs.

Eliminate Drain Flies with ZOOM DRAIN®

If you find yourself still struggling with stubborn drain flies, it may be time to call a professional drain cleaning company. Our team at Zoom Drain can assess the situation and create a personalized plan to get rid of them once and for all.

We'll thoroughly inspect your drainage system and use our powerful hydro-jetting to blast away any buildup or blockages, removing the breeding grounds for drain flies and helping prevent future infestations.

Schedule an appointment with ZOOM DRAIN® today, and say goodbye to those pesky drain flies!

Drain Flies: What’s The Cause And How Can I Eliminate Them?

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