Get Rid Of Drain Flies That Aren’t Coming From The Drain
The term ‘drain flies’ can be misleading. We can be led into thinking that drain flies originate from our drains. But this isn’t true. Drain flies don’t come from your pipes or drains. They are attracted to our drains from the outdoors. The key to controlling drain flies is to understand what’s luring them to your drains. Here’s how you can get rid of drain flies for good.
Clean Your Drains
Drain flies are attracted to the organic matter that accumulates in our drains. Every drain in our home is constantly channeling used water away from it. Over time, all kinds of small organic matter can accumulate in our pipes. This can include bits of food, soap scum, hair, and various dirt deposits. Over time, this organic material will attract drain flies.
To clean your drains, you’ll need to flush them with hot water. After doing this, use a stiff brush or a drain snake to clear out the drain. Finally, you’ll need to pour some more boiling water down to completely clear the drain. It’s important to exercise caution when cleaning your drain, as you can cause damage. Remember, avoid pouring caustic chemicals down the drain, as these can corrode the pipes. If you want to make sure it’s done right, it’s best to have a professional plumber clean your drains.
Pro-tip: For regular preventative drain maintenance, you can safely use a non-caustic drain cleaner. We suggest using Bio-Clean®, an environmentally-friendly drain cleaner that utilizes naturally-occurring bacteria and enzymes to eat away and eliminate clogs in your pipes.
Wash Out Your Floor Drains
Next is to thoroughly clean your floor drains. Floor drains collect standing water in their drain traps. Over time, this water can become stagnant and turn into sludge; this attracts drain flies and serves as a prime area for them to lay eggs. Be sure to clean your floor drains with hot water and a stiff brush. You can rinse them off with baking soda and vinegar.
Finally, make sure that any remaining water is cleaned up. Cleaning a floor drain can be a challenging task. It’s recommended that you consult with a drain and sewer cleaning expert.
Clear Indoor Garbage and Recycling Areas
It’s good practice to keep your garbage areas as clean as possible. Any garbage that sits for too long will attract unwanted insects and critters. Get in the habit of clearing your garbage and recycling bins often. Furthermore, make sure you clean the walls and floors surrounding your trash cans; these areas can contain organic material which will also attract drain flies. It’s also good to clean your garbage container every time you empty it. Make sure you use hot, soapy water to do this. Following these steps will lure away any suspecting drain flies 99% of the time.
Check For Outdoor Sources
The problem may not always lie on the inside of your home. A few outdoor culprits can also attract drain flies.
These include:
- Compost bins
- Garbage cans
- Rain barrels
- Birdbaths
- Dog kennels
Be sure to keep these areas clean of loose organic material and standing water. By doing this you will keep drain flies well away from your house.
Eliminate Standing Water
By now you’re probably catching the hint. Any standing water is a possible luring factor for drain flies. Be on the lookout for any moist areas in your home. This can include your laundry area, beneath the refrigerator, and around houseplants. Any place that attracts stagnant water can be detrimental to your health. These areas should be regularly cleaned out.
The Drain Fly Prevention Specialists
At Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning, we are South Florida’s drain cleaning professionals. Our team of licensed plumbers will be able to alleviate your drain fly problem in no time at all. We serve the Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. If you’ve got drain flies, give our drain cleaning specialists a call at 1-888-773-1524 and schedule a plumbing inspection, today!
