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What Are Those Flying Insects That Come Out of the Drain?

September 23, 2021
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There are flying insects that look like winged termites, which can be difficult to distinguish from other insects because of their similar characteristics and elements. However, drain flies can be annoying and bothersome to have in your home, and it’s essential to seek damage control immediately. 

So what are those flying insects that look like winged termites that come out of the drain? Drain flies (e.g. black carpenter ants) are tiny moth-like organisms that can be seen in abundance around sinks, showers, and bathtubs. These pests can multiply in as little as 48 hours, making it easy for your bathroom or kitchen drains to become infested in a short period.

What You Need To Know About Drain Flies

Drain flies thrive in wet places that are covered with nutrient-rich organic matter. They’re found in homes and storm drains, as their name implies. You can also spot them among compost piles and decomposing logs.

Almost anywhere where there are degrading organic materials, eggs are laid in uneven heaps. Drain fly eggs hatch into white larvae that are practically translucent. Temperature changes and low oxygen levels have been known to kill these larvae. The flies can go through one generation in as little as one week under ideal conditions. It's more common to wait two to three weeks.

After maturing, the larvae will pupate or rest until they’re ready to emerge as adults. Adulthood is the only stage of life that is commonly witnessed. Drain flies live for about two weeks as adults, but newly emerging adults quickly replace them. Because of their appearance, these flies are sometimes known as moth flies: they’re tiny and hairy, with large, oval termite wings and conspicuous antennae.

In just 48 hours, drain flies can nest and produce up to 300 eggs, so it's critical to get ahead of the problem before it spreads across your pipelines. They can live for 8 to 24 days.

What Attracts Drain Flies Into Your Home?

Drain flies prefer stagnant water, which even gathers a tiny quantity of bacteria and wastewater and is therefore typically found around:

  • kitchen and outdoor sinks
  • shower and bathtub drains
  • basement sinks
  • sewers
  • septic tanks
  • soil that contains sewage

Shallow, stagnant water is a common factor in all these areas. Drain flies can lay eggs inside the pipes through which the water baths are formed and the waste collected. Drain flies can therefore also be attracted:

  • set mops and buckets
  • compost piles
  • storm drains with standing water
  • garbage cans, birdbaths, barns or any other kinds  of wet locations

Drain flies feed on organic substances found in standing water, including wastewater or other polluted water. They’re attracted to it when a film forms in a humid section of pipes with standing water. Drain flies flourish and multiply in these conditions, so your drains are significant for them. Food and sewage can also be found near rubbish, food source, or compost piles. These factors are what attract drain flies in your home on a regular basis.

Learn More: The Best Outdoor Deck Insecticides To Kill Flying Ants and Termites

Are Drain Flies Harmful?

Humans are unaffected by drain flies. Drain flies are not disease-carrying insects, although they can spread bacteria in large groups. Even if they’re a significant annoyance in your home, they have not been shown to cause any health problems. As previously said, drain flies may multiply quickly, establishing nests in your pipes that can be costly to remove if left unattended.

How Do You Get Rid of Drain Flies?

Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may get rid of drain fly infestations using either a natural or chemical approach. In many cases, you may get rid of drain flies quickly by using materials already in your kitchen or under the sink.

Washing out your pipes can sometimes eradicate both the drain fly eggs and any opportunity for drain flies to resurface. Use these ways to handle your infestation as both a preventative and a management strategy. Here are some natural ways to get rid of drain flies.

Boiling Water

Pouring boiling water down your drain 1-2 times a day for approximately a week is the simplest way to clear out your drain fly problem. If the water did not catch all of the organic matter accumulated inside, the flies would not return tonight.

Baking Soda + Salt + Vinegar

To make a natural cleaning solution, combine these pantry staples and pour them down your drain overnight. Baking soda expands when combined with vinegar, allowing it to reach more locations than boiling water. After letting the solution sit until morning, flush the drain with boiling water.

Soap + Water + Sugar + Vinegar

A cup of water, sugar, and apple cider vinegar mixed with a few drops of dish soap can also do the trick. Allow the bowl to sit near the drain for a few days to draw drain flies in. The other soap thickens the water, trapping the insects.

Apple Cider Vinegar + Plastic Wrap

You may make a decent DIY fly trap by wrapping a bowl, jar, or mug in plastic wrap. You should add an inch of apple cider vinegar to the bottom of the container. You should punch small holes at the top of the plastic to allow the flies to go in but not exit.

Drain + Duct Tape

Use the detecting as mentioned earlier procedure to get rid of some of your drain fly problems. Cover the drain with duct tape for several nights in a row to catch flies that try to reach the surface.

Drain flies are typically found in or around pipes; thus, you can also use conventional drain cleaners and chemicals to get rid of them. Always read the instructions before using chemical cleaners, and never mix them with other chemical or natural cleaning solutions. Here are several chemical-based methods for getting rid of drain flies:

Traditional Drain Cleaner

You may clear up the residual residue with solutions after emptying your tank with warm water and brushing it with a metal pipe brush. Check if these goods may be used more than once and if they can be used in plumbing outside of the toilet if necessary.

Chemical Sprays and Repellents

When the pests are indicated on the label, many standard pest control agents, such as fruit flies or gnats, can also kill drain flies. Because many of these include caustic chemicals, see if you should store them out of the kitchen and be cautious of drain damage.

Green Gobbler

This well-known fly killer is safe to use in sewers, septic systems, and even sewage systems.

Natural Armor

This gel-based cleanser is excellent for clogged drains requiring a giant cleaner to catch different nests or insects.

American BioSystems

It’s a radical alternative for removing germs from drains, especially with a drain pest outbreak. American BioSystems is typically advised for commercial gutters.

Read More: Is It Okay To Spray Swarms of Termites?

The Dangers of Having Drain Flies in Your Home

Since they infest in vast numbers, these insects can be an annoyance. Drain flies may clog drains and spread germs from the squalor they reside in once inside, potentially poisoning food. Drain flies, while annoying, are rarely dangerous to humans because they don’t bite. 

On the other hand, Drain flies can quickly become a problem due to their tendency to block plumbing systems in large numbers. Despite their filthy living conditions, these bugs are not reported to spread infections in humans.

When Should You Seek a Professional When Dealing with Drain Flies?

professional pest control worker

The invasion of drain flies should not persist for more than 20 days. If you've tried and failed to get rid of drain flies on your own, you might want to hire an experienced exterminator. This is where it’s best to call Positive Pest Management to handle all your pest and drain flies problems. Their licensed pest control experts are thorough in termite control, spotting obvious signs of termites,  controlling drain flies, or dealing with any kind of pest problems you may have. 

Especially when you're dealing with something out of hand like termite colony or termite infestations, you’ll need professionals to do the job. They currently have 6 locations to cater to homes and communities that need help with the insect infestation and other related problems.  Contact us today to learn more about our services.

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