Drain flies are becoming a real struggle, especially in the summer. It is not easy to cope with this issue, so, if you don’t know what to do, inform yourself, read this article and learn how to get rid of drain flies.
The drain flies measure about 1.5-5 mm in length, with a light gray or bronze body and open wings. The body and wings are covered with long bristles, giving the fly a fluffy look. When it is at rest, the leakage bite spreads its wings over the body in the form of a roof. In homes, sewer flies are found on the walls of the bathroom, kitchen or basement. More active at night, flies do not bite and, surprisingly, do not transmit human disease. Sewage mites feed on organic matter from sewers.
Reproduction: Eggs are deposited in irregular masses almost anywhere there is decomposed organic material. Under favorable conditions, flies can multiply with a generation in less than a week. It usually takes two to three weeks.
Signs of an infestation with dran flies
Like most flies, the most noticeable sign is the presence of adults. They are usually seen resting on the walls in the bathroom or near reproductive materials. Larvae can also be observed when they struggle in the reproductive material.
Common drain flies, or Psychodidae, have become an integral part of many water-based ecosystems. However, they create problems for homeowners if the population grows excessively. Drain flies are common in wet areas, covered with nutrient-loaded organic material. As their name suggests, they are found in the house and in the drain.
They can also be found next to decomposing logs and compost piles. Their eggs become white, almost translucent larvae. These larvae survive at dramatic temperatures and low oxygen levels. They are sometimes found developing under layers of biodegradable organic material. In small numbers, their larvae are considered to be beneficial, as they break down the materials that cause drains. Larvae have extremely powerful jaws and are capable of cutting through dense layers of dirt and build. Once the larvae burrow, they appear as mature adults with six feet, a pair of wings and antennas. Adults usually live for about two weeks, but other adults immediately appear to replace them. Adult drain flies are also known as moths because of their appearance: they are small, have a body covered with fluff, large wings, oval and prominent antennas.
There are more than one species of flies, including house flies, and even biting flies, which can be associated with drain flies. Another possible candidate would be the moth mites that can be thrown into several drains, bathtubs and other damp areas where organic material is collected.
Drain flies are small flies that resemble moths. In small numbers, they can help break down materials that block the drainage pipes.
However, infestations with drain flies grow rapidly, and serious ones can pose health risks.
If you are trying to fight an infestation of drain flies, start by removing their breeding nests. Clean the possible drains with a commercial detergent and clean the drain pipe with a long brush.
After reproduction nests have been removed, the breeding cycle is interrupted.
How to get rid of drain flies
The best control for these flies is the elimination of breeding sites, which are actually the organic material collected in the drainage pipes.
If they are present in the house, these flies are certainly leaking or clogged.
Find leakage and clean it physically. No liquid detergent in the world will solve the problem unless you physically eliminate the material that causes the blockage.
Once the material is removed (along with larvae) the problem is resolved, except for adult flies. They will live for about 20 days, but since they will not happen for egg laying, the problem will disappear with their death.
After removing the drain fly eggs and larvae by cleaning the drain, you are only left with the adult flies. Since they now have no place to lay eggs, your drain fly problem will disappear when these adults die. To kill these adult drain flies you could use sprays or swatters. Below is a list of some methods that you can use to kill the adult drain flies:
1. Using Fly Swatters: As drain flies are mostly seen resting on the walls so it is much easier to kill them using a mechanical fly swatter. But after killing them make sure to clean the bloody mess from the walls using a damp cloth.
2. Using Liquid Dish Soap Spray: Dish Soap contains borax, which has insecticidal properties. You can take an empty spray bottle, add 5-7 drops of dish soap, and then add 2 cups of warm water. Shake the mixture and spray on the drain flies to kill them.
3. Using a Trap for drain Flies: This method is good if the infested place is your kitchen. Take a bowl and fill it with the equal amount of sugar, water, and white vinegar. Add 5 -10 drops of dish soap. Leave the bowl overnight beside your kitchen sink. The fragrance of this liquid will attract the drain flies and as soon as they land on it, they will be immediately drowned and dead.
Image Credits: Bugspray
