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

It’s no secret that certain insects, such as drain flies, thrive in wet areas, typically with stagnant water and bacteria. Spots around your home like kitchen and outdoor sinks, shower and bathtub drains and septic tanks are the perfect spots for these pests to move in and begin to lay eggs.

Drain flies, also referred to as moth flies or sink flies, don’t buzz around as much as their counterparts, instead bouncing or hopping to different spots. While their typical lifespan can be anywhere from eight to 24 days, they can lay up to 300 eggs fast – in just about 48 hours. And while they might not be harmful to humans, they can be a nuisance, so what causes them?

What Are Some Of The Causes Of Drain Flies?

Drain flies are most often the result of a drain or sewer clog, one that limits the flow of wastewater. Unused toilets, refrigerator drains and leaking pipes can also cause them.

As we previously mentioned, these insects thrive in stagnant water.

What’s more stagnant than a backed up drain? Drain flies are most often the result of a clog in a drain or sewer line, it doesn’t matter if it’s buildup, a soft clog or a hard clog – it just needs to limit the flow of wastewater, causing it to become stagnant and a breeding ground for bacteria.

That’s not the only time you might find these pests, however. Sometimes, they’ll appear in unused toilets, refrigerator drain pans or because of the standing water from leaking pipes.

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.

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 actually 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.

My Drain Has Flies, How Can I Eliminate Them?

When you find drain flies, it’s best to call the professionals for a drain cleaning, then just continue to remain proactive by doing things like removing food scraps and leftovers from sinks.

Have you been battling drain flies in your home? While there’s a number of remedies you can find online, which may or may not work, the best solution is to simply schedule drain cleaning from the professionals. They’ll be able to come out, inspect your drainage system and, using a high-pressure water jetter, blast away any buildup or clogs that might be creating the perfect conditions. Whatever is in there, waste, insects or otherwise, will quickly be washed away.

After that, staying proactive with your drains will go a long way in ensuring they won’t return – doing things like removing food scraps and leftovers from the sink and scheduling regular drainage inspections. If the cause is something major, like a pipe leak, they’ll be able to determine the best course of action for repairing your lines, before even bigger issues occur.

Tired of dealing with these pests? Call or schedule an appointment online and we’ll not only get your lines flowing their best but we’ll also keep the drain flies out of your hair – and your home.