Why do drain flies develop? Drain flies love standing water and other forms of stagnation. One can find standing water due to leaking pipes, slow or clogged drains, rarely used or unused toilets, refrigerator drain pans, and slow or clogged drains. Usually, they get access to structures through windows, drains, and basements.
How can drain flies be eliminated?
The good news is that with regular cleaning and careful attention, most drain fly problems may be resolved in under a week. Five methods are provided below:
- Start by using your regular cleaning solution to clean the sink and drain. Scrub the drain's exterior and interior using a pipe brush.
- Pouring boiling water down the drain will eliminate drain flies and is a very easy repair. Once or twice weekly, boil a medium-sized pot of water and pour it into the drain and the surrounding area.
- Baking soda is another simple solution. Simply combine 1/2 cup of salt, 1/2 cup of baking soda, and 1 cup of vinegar before pouring down the drain. Finish in the morning by pouring boiling water down the drain after leaving it overnight.
- Try a commercial drain cleaner like Drano or Bio-Clean if you need a more powerful method to eliminate drain flies. By clearing out the drain and pipes and removing any materials or debris that might serve as a breeding environment for drain flies, these chemical unclogging solutions will stop the development of new eggs.
- If adult drain flies are still present, use a small dish covered in plastic wrap to make an apple cider vinegar trap. Making holes in the plastic wrap will draw flies in, but it will keep them from flying away.
In a nutshell, drain flies do not hurt people. Drain flies can take germs with them in large numbers. However, despite feeding on and living in sewage and bacteria, they do not convey disease. Even though they are a major annoyance in your home, they have not been proven harmful to your health overall. In addition to reproducing swiftly, drain flies can spread their nests quickly throughout your pipes, which can be expensive to remove if left unchecked.
