Drain flies, also known as sewer or sink flies are a common household pest that can be found in moist areas in the home, usually around the kitchen and bathroom drains. Although harmless they can be a real pest. Drain flies are very small and measure only about 1/8-inch in size and can be black or brown in colour. Their wings and bodies are covered with hairs and when crushed, they leave a powdery substance similar to moths.
Female drain flies can lay up to 200 eggs at a time in the organic matter that builds up in your drains, for example hair, grease and food. Their eggs can hatch within a couple of days and then over a very short period of time you can find yourself with a drain fly infestation.
DIY Ways of Getting Rid of Drain Flies
1. Baking Soda, Boiling Water & Vinegar
Combing, boiling water, vinegar and baking soda will kill drain flies, but will also help remove all the flies breeding ground which includes hair, grime and grease. It will create a chemical reaction and an clear the blockages caused by organic matter in the drainpipe.
After that boil some water and pour it down the drain where you have noticed the flies. The pour half a cup of bicarb soda down the sink as well, followed by a half cup of white vinegar.Let it settle for a few minutes then poor some more boiling water down the drain. Follows these steps every few days until the drain flies have completely disappeared.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
Set up a trap to attract the drain flies – mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dishwasing detergent in a small bowl. Leave it around the drain and wait for it to attract the drain flies and cause them to sink and die.
3. Drain Cleaner (preferably eco brand)
Buy an eco drain cleaner from the supermarket and pur the contents down the sink where the flies are lurking. Drain cleaners should be able to clear organic matter like hair and grease and the link that cause simple blockages. This should kill any eggs laid in the organic matter and drain flies that are under the drain.
4. Get Your Drains Professionally Cleaned
The most effective way to prevent drain flies ever returning is to get all of your sewer pipes cleaned by a professional plumber on a regular basis. A plumber will jet blast your drain with a water jetter, which is a high powered hose that can clear both simple and stubborn blockages in your pipes. By using a jet blaster it will not only clear the breeding ground for drain flies, it will thoroughly clear anything and everything that is stuck inside your pipes and prevent any blockages for a few years to come.