A Complete Guide on How To Get Rid of Drain Flies – For Homes and Businesses

“How to get rid of Drain Flies?” If you are currently not experiencing special love from hundreds of these bugs, then count yourself lucky because once these nasties infest a water drain in your home, they are a challenge to kill.

Why are they a challenge? Because drain flies reproduce quickly. A single female, mated or non-mated, can lay up to 100 eggs! With such a quick reproductive cycle, the number of drain flies becomes hard to control because, in less than 48 hours after their first appearance, more flies will begin to appear, a Great Deal More!

As Handymen who have dealt with infestations like this before, we recommend three steam cleaners to help banish drain flies today. First, view our recommendations. Then, below our suggestions, we discuss how-tos, starting with – Method #1: Use Steam to Neutralize Larva and Eggs in Drains.

3 Best Steamers to Neutralize Drain Flies in Drains

Method #1: Use Steam to Neutralize Larva and Eggs in Drains

To begin this step, you must locate the source of the infestation. You can find the source by placing a transparent cup over all your drains for a night. Then, in the morning, you will quickly see which drain holds the infestation.

Once you locate the source of the infestation, put on some oven mitts, insert your steam wand into the drain, cover the area with a towel, and apply short bursts of steam. Naturally, steam will escape, but the towel will help to keep the heat in the pipes. You can use the same method for any overflow drains.

Why steam? Steam is ideal because it fills the entire pipe and most of its fittings, unlike liquid. So if the infested area resides before the p-trap, the steam will sanitize it. And even if drain fly larva or eggs are beneath sewage slime, the steam will cook everything to a well-done finish.

Problem solved? If no, and more drain flies appear the following day, proceed next to Method #2: Surgery | Pipe Opening, Cleaning, and Sanitizing

Method #2: Surgery | Pipe Opening, Cleaning, and Sanitizing

If “Method #1: Use Steam to Neutralize Larva and Eggs in Drains” does not work and drain flies continue appearing the next day, you must perform surgery on your plumbing system. Pipes must be opened, cleaned with a brush, and then sanitized with steam.

For bristle brushes, drain snakes, and liquid pipe cleaners, view our suggested miscellaneous items below to help combat Drain Flies.

It’s best to open your plumbing system because there is most likely an area that steam cannot reach. For instance, dishwasher drains, cavities inside or under a food waste disposer, or long pipes with no immediate p-traps. The goal here is, you want to stop your pipes from turning into breeding grounds for drain flies by removing the slimy films along the walls.

Once open, scrub everything with a long, round-bristled brush. Next, Brush-clean all pipes you removed and any fixtures still on the wall or attached to the sink. When done, finish by sanitizing everything with steam. After you finish reinstalling your plumbing system, there should be no more drain flies the next day.

What is a Drain Fly and What You Need to Know About Them

Drain Flies are attracted to moist environments. They find their way into your home or business through pipes, drains, and cracks in the walls. Areas that can quickly become infested include kitchen sinks, bathtubs/showers, laundry rooms, and even toilets. Drain flies feed on organic materials such as decomposing food or dead insects.

If they are not dealt with immediately, they can quickly turn into a severe problem.

They have a short life span; however, mated and non-mated females can lay 30-100 eggs at a time, all of which hatch in less than 48 hours – says a study conducted by The Texas A&M University System. So if they are not dealt with immediately, they can quickly become a monumental problem.

Drain flies lay their eggs in drains or pipes that have standing water. These areas are ideal because they provide a rich food source for their larvae when they hatch.

Adult drain flies are tiny, fuzzy, dark-colored insects with the body and wings densely covered with hairs described in a paper by The NC State Extension Publications. Their wings appear large for their body and are held roof-like over their body when at rest, giving them a mothlike appearance. They’re weak fliers and can barely fly for more than a few feet.

Why Are Liquid Solutions Generally Ineffective Against Drain Flies?

Drain flies are one of the most difficult insect pests to control. There are a lot of drain fly pesticides you can buy in stores, but drain flies always find a way around them. The common insecticide doesn’t work because it doesn’t reach the eggs or larvae that drain flies have laid on the sides of pipes and drains, where the insecticide would be needed. Additionally, drain fluids are not ideal because:

• They are time-consuming. Some solutions take several doses over a few days; if it fails, you wasted a few days for nothing.
• They are costly. Costs quickly add up if you need to try multiple solutions.
• They are dangerous. You never know if a liquid can damage your plumbing system, or if accidentally mixed with another solution, it can release a toxic gas.
• They add to your daily chores. Everyone has a busy life. It might be hard to deliver a liquid dose at prescribed times, especially if it’s a shower or kitchen sink and you and other family members need to use it during the day.

The most effective method of dealing with drain flies is to clean your pipes and drains regularly with steam and a bristle brush and to remove any stagnant water in and around your area.

When To Call For a Professional

If you have a recurring issue with drain flies and your at-home remedies do not work, Method #1 did not work, and you do not feel comfortable opening up your plumbing system for Method #2: Surgery | Pipe system opening, cleaning, and sanitizing, then it’s time to call in a Professional Handyman.

Since you require no new plumbing fixtures for this job, a visit from your local Handyman might be your best bet.

Yes, you could also call a plumber or an exterminator; however, an exterminator won’t open your pipes. And as for a plumber, they are generally more expensive and may not be able to repair anything that must be opened, for instance, a wall. Since you require no new plumbing fixtures for this job, a visit from your local Handyman might be your best bet.

Contact us via email or phone if you are in the Montreal area. If outside Montreal, then check out our Ultimate Guide To Find The Best Handyman Near Me, an article about how to find a good and capable handyperson in your area.

How Can I Prevent a Drain Fly Infestation From Happening All Over Again?

Drain flies are a serious problem. They can enter your home through any cracks in your wall and lay eggs in your sinks, drains, and toilets.

There are many ways to prevent a drain fly infestation from happening again. The most common way is to use a drain fly sticky trap to lure the flies into it and then kill them before they reach your plumbing system. Otherwise, other preventative methods include:

• Clean toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, and floor drains
• Remove rotting produce immediately
• Move dumpsters as far away as possible from your home or any doors, windows, etc.
• Keep all areas inside and around your home as dry as possible
• Repair any broken or loose ceramic floor tiles
• Fix leaks and remedy condensation
• Keep your drains clean and free of hair and other debris
• Eliminate standing water and mold
• Seal off any cracks or holes that may lead into the drain system from outside sources
• And remove all sources of moisture from your home by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner

Essentially, if you want to keep drain flies out of your home or business, you should start by taking care of the source – your drains. Clean them regularly and ensure they are always free from hair, soap scum, or debris. If you commit to this plan, there will be no food for the drain flies, and they will not have any reason to come into your homes or businesses.

Additional Items To Help Combat Drain Flies

Final Thoughts

There are many suggested ways to get rid of drain flies naturally and effectively. However, first and foremost, it is crucial to be mindful of how you can attract them into your residence. If you stay alert and keep up with your cleaning routines, you should be able to live in peace without the burden of an infestation on your mind. Good Luck and all the very best wishes from Handyman And Designs!

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