Ask Art: How Do I Get Rid Of Drain Flies?
No matter how often you clean your kitchen and bathroom, infestations are pretty common. These pests are especially a problem in areas that are humid year-round. Drain flies, also known as moth flies, filter flies, or sewer flies, are a common problem in Florida. They love standing water and decaying matter, such as food, which isn’t unusual to find inside a kitchen sink. As implied by their name, they are most commonly found near sink drains and sewers.
These pests are an annoyance to have around your home. While they are typically attracted to floor drains, they can also get into drains that aren’t frequently used. Unless you intervene, these pests won’t go away on their own, and could potentially get worse. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to get rid of them. The following methods are recommended by Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning for killing drain flies as well as their eggs.
Make Sure Of What You’re Dealing With
Before using any of the following methods, make sure the problem in your drain is actually drain flies and not some other insect. A drain fly will have six legs, an antenna, and small, fuzzy-looking wings. If you apply some clear tape across your drain and leave it overnight, you can see in the morning what sort of pest is attached. It may take more than one night to catch some of these bugs in the tape. Drain pests may all seem the same, but depending on what they are, they may require different solutions to get rid of them.
The Water And Vinegar Method
Pour at least half a gallon of water down your drain and see how quickly it drains. If it does quickly, that’s a good sign that the drain is functioning as it should and isn’t too clogged with drain flies. Hot water is better than cold for killing the larvae, but don’t use boiling water – that could potentially crack some surface materials.
After that, pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain to get rid of the remaining larvae inside your drain pipes. Just don’t use bleach, as this could be damaging – especially if mixed with vinegar! This could create a toxic chlorine gas that could harm you.
Use Items Already Around Your House
There are likely other items around your kitchen that can kill drain flies besides vinegar (so long as you don’t combine them all together). You can also try using one-half cup of salt and one-half cup of baking soda mixed with the white vinegar. Let the mixture sit overnight before flushing the drain with hot water in the morning. This process will clean your drain as well as kill any remaining drain flies and larvae. You can use a drain brush to further clean the pipes and get rid of any substances that might still be in the way.
A Professional Plumber Can Rid Your Kitchen Of Pests
One of the most trusted names in drain and sewer clearing, Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning is here to help. While some pests can be destroyed using the methods mentioned above, there are times when you’ll need a professional to get rid of them for good. We proudly serve the residents of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. For reliable service, questions, or to get a quote, reach out to us on social media or at 1-888-773-1524.
