Unwanted guests are likely the most pestering experience one can have in their home. Some of those unwelcome pests include fleas, gnats, and fruit flies. There is yet another unwelcome guest, not as familiar as the others, the drain fly.
Drain flies are extremely teeny-tiny. Measuring in at barely an eighth of an inch. Yet, when you see them gathering sound in a pool of standing water, they create a problem. Another term for the drain fly is sewer flies, filter, or moth flies. They are identifiable by their taupe or gray coloring and small, round-shaped wings. Regardless of their name, they don’t actually “fly”, instead, they are hopping from each surface they land upon. These small pests have a lifetime of almost three weeks, and their eggs hatch every forty-eight hours. Thus, a drain fly population isn’t going to disappear without help.
You can try and get rid of drain flies with some do-it-yourself solutions. Some homeowners try using vinegar or other products bought at the local hardware store. However, the most effective way of eradicating them is to call a professional like A.N.T. Pest Control.
What do Drain Flies Look Like?
Drain flies have a body that is tan or light gray in color; their wings are a lighter hue than the body. To give this fly the appearance of fuzziness, its entire body and wings have many hairs covering them. They have a single pair of wings, antennae, and six legs. These flies use their wings to cover their body, much like how a roof covers a structure. They measure from 1.5 to 5 millimeters in length.
When completely mature, the larvae of drain flies are no larger than four to ten millimeters. They have a strip that is dark on their dorsal section and have a slender body. The larvae have no legs or eyes. To allow it to gasp air a darkened tube is on one of the larva’s sides which acts much the way a breathing tube does.
Where do they Come From?
You are most likely to find drain flies wherever there is moisture. They love organic debris and stagnant pools of water and are located near bacteria and water sources like showers and sinks.
These tiny pests prefer areas you don’t often use, like the sins in a basement workshop. Sometimes homeowners go on vacation and return to an infestation of drain flies in the basement because of a leaky pipe. Although they are attracted to bacteria, they occasionally show up in pretty clean areas.
What is their Habitat and Diet?
These flies most commonly live in areas that are moist with lots of organic material that is laden with nutrients. They are most likely discovered hanging out in the drains of a house or even storm drains–implied by their name. You might also notice them buzzing near compost piles or decaying wood. The diet of a drain fly is typically sewage and organic matter.
The Life Cycle of Drain Flies
Drain flies lay their eggs in sporadic piles wherever there is organic matter decomposition. The eggs will hatch and become larvae that are white and almost translucent. Additionally, their larvae are extremely hardy and capable of surviving harsh changes in the environment, even low levels of oxygen. When conditions are favorable, a generation of drain flies will last for one week. Although their typical life cycle is two to three weeks.
What are the Signs of an Infestation of Drain Flies?
If you suspect a problem with drain flies in your house, here is something you can do as a test. Take a couple of sections of sticky tape (the tape side down) and place it over the questionable drain. Let it set overnight. Check the drains the next morning; if drain flies are stuck to the tape, you likely have a problem.
Will Drain Flies Harm Humans?
Drain flies present no serious harm to humans, they do not bite, nor do they carry diseases known to humans. However, if you have recognized the signs of an infestation, it could be that your kitchen is in need of deep cleaning. Particularly, if you don’t want other pests, such as cockroaches, to join the party!
Do-it-Yourself Ways to Get Rid of Drain Flies
If you have an issue with drain flies, rest assured there are solutions that can resolve the problem. Here are some do-it-yourself tips you can try:
- The first thing to do is to clean out your drain and sink using your regular cleaning compound.
- Boil some water and pour it into every drain you have noticed drain flies. One to two times a week, boil a pan of water and pour it into each drain.
- Another option for getting rid of them is baking soda. Mix one cup of vinegar, one-half cup of salt, and one-half cup of baking soda together. Pour this mixture down each drain and let set overnight. The next morning, boil some water and pour it down the drain.
- You can also make a trap using apple cider vinegar if there are still adult drain flies swarming around. Simply pour some apple cider vinegar into a small container, and cover it with plastic wrap. Poke a few holes into the plastic wrap, the apple cider will lure them in. Once inside, the flies will not be able to escape through the holes in the plastic.
Call A.N.T. Pest Control to Eradicate Drain Flies
When you have tried all the do-it-yourself methods, and you still have theses pesky insects buzzing around, call the professionals! A.N.T. Pest Control is the expert when it comes to eradicating an infestation of drain flies. Before we begin any treatment, we first take into consideration if the homeowner has any children or pets. It will make the process run more smoothly if you advise us ahead of time if you have either one. We do not want to use a treatment that might put them in danger. Our promise to you is that you will be pleased with our service. However, due to Mother Nature being a tenacious lady, we cannot guarantee results in one treatment.
When you need help eradicating an infestation of drain flies, reach out to A.N.T. Pest Control. Call us today at (815) 215-7211 and find out how we can make your pest problem disappear!