\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,140,043 times. Explore our research locations around the state. Add a few drops of dish soap and leave next to the entry point. Our rating system is a weighted, 100-point scale on the following factors: In summary, theThis Old HouseReviews Team reviewed over 40 companies to select this list of the best pest control companies. ", http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74167.html, https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pest-control/get-rid-of-drain-flies/, https://pestpreventionpatrol.com/5-fast-ways-to-remove-drain-flies-from-your-washing-machine/, https://drainflies.info/how-to-get-rid-of-drain-flies/#2_Block_the_drain_with_a_duct_tape, https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-41, https://www.treehugger.com/how-get-rid-drain-flies-naturally-4864335, https://dailyhomesafety.com/why-do-drain-flies-keep-coming-back/, https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/URBAN/FLIES/drain_fly.html. // not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. } iFrameID.height = iFrameID.contentWindow.document.body.scrollHeight + "px"; It works. var b = 0; inner.style.display = "block"; Article continues below advertisement. a++; Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. flies. unscreened windows. Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas. Because of this, your drains are an ideal place for drain flies to thrive and reproduce. This content is imported from poll. Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture. Another trap can be made by mixing water, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap in a bowl. If you want a natural way to get rid of drain flies, this is one of the most . Take the trash out immediately. Testimonials. The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Another method is to create a cardboard frame for elevating a glue board above a drain where you suspect drain flies may live. var inner = document.getElementById(test); Drain Gel or foam should be applied to the infested drains when they will not be in use for several hours, usually at bedtime. She is a board-certified entomologist and volunteers for USAIDs Farmer to Farmer program. Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills. 5 Ways to Get Rid of Drain Flies Once the flies' source is found, you can eliminate the pests through the removal or cleaning of the source. Let it stand overnight. They don't bite humans or transmit human disease, but they are a sign that your kitchen could use a deep clean, especially if you want to prevent more insects like roaches from joining the party. inside surfaces of drains and plumbing (algae, fungi, bacteria). Eliminate any other standing water or moist areas, such as wet lint in the laundry area, standing water in a drain pan beneath a refrigerator, or soggy areas around house plants. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. d[i].id = "threecolheader" + b; Amy Mitchell is the managing editor at Country Living Magazine. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Pour equal parts vinegar and baking soda into your drain. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you need a heavier-duty way to get rid of drain flies, try a store-bought drain cleaner like Drano or Bio-Clean. Youll notice that they make large hops from place to place instead of buzzing around your home like other pests. if(inner.style.display === "block") inner.style.display = "none"; Once the flies' source is found, you can eliminate the pests through the removal or cleaning of the source. c[e].id = "answer" + b; For a free quote from Orkin, call 877-868-1416 or complete this form. var a = 0; However, Adult flies can sustain themselves by consuming only water or flower nectar, and live Myiasis FAQs. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Mature breeding drain flies are naturally drawn to moist areas where there is a source of decaying organic material for the larvae to feed upon after they hatch from eggs. return s4() + s4() + '-' + s4() + '-' + s4() + '-' + s4() + '-' + s4() + s4() + s4(); Drain flies are often mistaken for fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) since both are very small flies with distinguishing features that are only evident under magnification. These small, gnat-like insects feed on and breed in sewage. inner.style.opacity = '0'; css.setAttribute("type", "text/css"); Don't forget to empty and clean out the bowl, and replace the mixture every few days. [CDATA[ Sit the bowl (uncovered) near the infested drain for a few days to lure the flies into the deadly solution. Due to their size and coloration, they are rarely noticed outdoors. Drain flies also differ in color compared to other small house flies, typically ranging between pale gray to black. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. str = str.substring(8, str.length); Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. A clear plastic cup or glass jar, coated inside with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly, can be placed over a suspected drain. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If youre treating the drain of a sink, remove the U-trap underneath and clean out any additional buildup you find. Drain flies breed in drains, septic tanks, sewers and soil that has been contaminated with sewage. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. document.getElementById("copyright-date").innerHTML = d.getFullYear(); Step 1 is getting rid of the debris in the drains that are allowing the drain flies to breed and step 2 is actually eliminating the adult drain flies. Remove the drain cover, scrape some of the slime off the sides, and look for thin, tube-like, drain-fly larvae. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Use a tube brush to scrub around and inside the drain. Drain flies can lay eggs in the film that forms on the inside of pipes and drains when water pools and collects sewage. return Math.floor((1 + Math.random()) * 0x10000).toString(16).substring(1); Currently, she is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and pest specialist. Use a Liquid Dish Soap Spray. Why Does My Shower Drain Smell Like Rotten Eggs? Adults can vary in color inner.style.visibility = 'hidden'; Wherever possible, eliminate areas where water can puddle and grow stagnant, as these are areas where drain flies will lay eggs. var a = 0; This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Then, pour boiling water down the drain the next day. This means earning your trust through transparency and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Also known as moth flies, sewer flies, or filter flies, you can identify them based on their gray or taupe color and small, rounded wings. It can take several weeks to get rid of drain flies and the length of the treatment will depend on the level of debris built up in the drain, the number of drains infested and the level of infestation before the treatment is started. Country Living editors select each product featured. Start by dumping 1/2 cup salt down the drain. var c = 0; Weve reviewed the nations top pest control providers. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Rinse in the morning with a few cups of boiling water. Put apple cider vinegar into a bowl with a few drops of washing up liquid. Seal off your drain with duct tape overnight for several nights in a row to catch the flies that try to get to the surface. Is there anything more pestering than discovering unwanted visitors in your home? // alert(iFrameID.height); This natural cleansing mixture will remove organic buildup from your pipes and kill any larvae or flies that get caught in it. var d = document.querySelectorAll('[id^=question]'); Then dump 1/2 cup baking soda down on top of it. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. //alert(iFrameID.height); // not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Protect your home from pests, mosquitos, termites and more! Eggs and larvae are not easy to drown. can also be introduced from sewer pipes that burp or back up into a home. 348 of 367 people found this article informative and helpful. Of a sink, remove the drain found in the pipes start by how to get rid of drain flies in aquarium cup..., scrape some of the organic material built up inside Puerto Rico, 1... The nations top pest control providers inner.style.opacity = ' 1 ' ; this mixture is then down! And simple use down arrow key to expand the submenu large hops from place to place instead of around... Water pools and collects sewage for kitchen use a cardboard frame for elevating a glue board above a where! 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