How to Control Drain/Phorid Flies

What are Drain Flies?

Think about the pests that bother you the most. Rats? Termites? Definitely. Cockroaches, Right? Ewwww. But there’s another common household pest to keep an eye out for.  Drain flies. We’ve all seen these before, those tiny flying critters that look like miniature moths and that tend to hang around the drains in your kitchen or bathroom. But how do you get rid of drain flies before they become a bigger problem? Let’s explore:

Drain flies, sink flies, filter flies, sewer gnats, call them what you will. Drain flies  love to call your drains, their home – and their favourite place to dwell is inside the pipes of your kitchen and/or bathroom. As algae grows in your pipes, the drain fly eggs are laid in that algae, and later hatch. The (Babies – Larvae) then feed on the algae, as a food source, as they grow into full sized drain flies, and the cycle continues. This is a perfect environment for these pests. Dark, wet, and a food source available for the larvae. Whats not to love for these pests? Your chances of having a drain fly problem are even greater if you don’t use that bathroom very much.

Are These Pests Dangerous?

First, let us reassure you – although drain flies are obviously pretty dirty, given that they live in drains and feast on organic matter, this is not a pest that is going to particularly endanger your family or your home. They do not bite, sting, or spread diseases, but their decaying bodies may cause allergic reactions. If you have asthma, they certainly can exacerbate the problem.. They can also spread bacteria from trash, decaying vegetables and fruits. 

Where are Drain Flies Commonly Found?

They can live most anywhere that water accumulates for a week or more, and algae can develop. Common indoor sites include the fine slime layer that develops along the water surface in infrequently used toilet bowls and tanks, in sink or floor drains, in bathrooms or garages, bathtub/shower drains, or drain pans under refrigerators, even collection pan for ac handlers. Drain flies breed in areas that are moist and have a lot of organic remains, (algae).

How to get rid of drain flies

1. Clean the bathroom

Cleaning the bathroom, especially where algae, mold, or decaying matter may exist, ie. Showers, toilets, floors.  Preventing theses from coming back once they’re gone. Remember, it’s the algae in your drains that feed these pests, so keeping bathrooms very clean is your best defense.

2. Use a wire brush

TIP OF THE DAY! – Use a wire brush to clean your drains and pipes. Remember algae, and rotting vegetation in the pipes must be removed to remove and kill the (Baby Stage) of these flies. USING BLEACH BY ITSELF WILL NOT WORK! However, using a wire brush, will remove most of the fungus, inside the pipe, and bleach can be used to help in the process. Remember to scrub the entire inner surface of the pipe as far as you can go down the pipe. We recommend a long, flexable steel drain brush. 

4. Boiling water

But before you cook up this magic solution, boil the kettle. It must be boiling, not hot tap water. No, you are not about to make a cup of coffee – you are going to sizzle your drain flies with a deadly shower. The hot water will also work to flush away all the pipe gunk that was removed from the inside of the pipethe drain flies find so delicious.

5. Prevent, prevent, prevent

With a bit of luck, you’ve stopped breeding season down your drains – and now it’s up to you to make sure the problem doesn’t return. Do you happen to keep fruit near the affected drains? Stop doing that, and also make it a habit to regularly empty your bins – and consider forming a habit of putting the plug in the sink when it’s not being used.

6. Check your drains

With this simple DIY advice, you’re hopefully going to get on top of your drain fly infestation and then stop them from coming back time and time again.

But you should also consider that your drains and pipes might have an underlying problem that means drain fly infestations are something you are going to have to keep dealing with. The easy solution to that is to get a Plumber to come and check out your plumbing. Your local plumbing specialists are particularly good at cleaning and unblocking drains. 

If you continue to have issues, please call us and we will set up an appointment to perform our custom drain fly service. 786-462-5912