How to Get Rid of Drain Flies: A Guide to Eradication

There’s nothing quite like the unsettling feeling of tiny, persistent flies swarming around your kitchen sink. These aren’t your average houseflies; they’re drain flies, and once they’ve invaded your space, they can be a real pain to get rid of. 

Sure, they might be annoying, but they aren’t invincible. So, let’s learn how to get rid of drain flies for good. 

What do Drain Flies Look Like And Why Are They Emerging From Your Drain?

Drain flies, often mistaken for fruit flies, are small, dark, and have distinctive moth-like wings.

Their breeding grounds are usually within your home’s plumbing system, specifically in areas with decaying organic matter. This could be anything from food particles to hair and soap scum. The key to effective drain fly control lies in understanding their life cycle and eliminating their breeding grounds.

The Breeding Ground: Your Drains

The most common question people ask is, “how to get rid of drain flies?” The answer often starts with your drains. These are the primary breeding grounds for these pesky insects. Imagine your drains as a cozy apartment complex for drain flies. They love the warm, moist environment and the constant supply of food. To evict these unwanted tenants, you need to make their living conditions inhospitable.

Start by giving your drains a deep clean. Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to break down organic matter. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before flushing with hot water. For stubborn clogs, you might need a plumber’s snake. Remember, a clean drain is a less attractive home for drain flies.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies: DIY Traps

Drain flies are persistent little creatures, but they can be outwitted. One effective way to reduce their numbers is by setting up DIY traps. These traps harness the flies’ natural instincts to their demise. Let’s explore a few methods.

1. The Classic Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

This method is a tried-and-true favorite for many homeowners battling drain flies. Apple cider vinegar is particularly attractive to these pests due to its acidic nature, which mimics their preferred breeding environment.

Materials:

• A glass jar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Plastic wrap
• Rubber band
• Toothpick

Instructions:

1. Prepare the jar: Fill the glass jar with about an inch of apple cider vinegar.
2. Create a lid: Cut a piece of plastic wrap slightly larger than the mouth of the jar. Stretch it tightly over the top and secure it with a rubber band.
3. Make an entry point: Use the toothpick to poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap. These holes should be just large enough for a drain fly to fit through.

The sweet aroma of the apple cider vinegar will lure the drain flies into the jar. Once inside, they’ll be unable to escape the sticky surface of the vinegar and will eventually drown.

2. The Soap and Water Trap

This simple trap relies on the surface tension of water and the disruptive properties of dish soap. Drain flies are drawn to the water, but the soap breaks the surface tension, making it impossible for them to escape.

Materials:

• A bowl
• Water
• Dish soap

Instructions:

1. Fill the bowl: Fill a bowl with water.
2. Add dish soap: Add a few drops of dish soap to the water. This will reduce the surface tension, making it difficult for the flies to land and escape.
3. Place the bowl: Position the bowl near areas where you’ve seen drain flies congregating, such as the sink or bathtub.

The drain flies will be attracted to the water, but once they land on the surface, they will be unable to take off due to the soap. Eventually, they will drown.

3. The Yellow Sticky Trap

Yellow is particularly attractive to insects, including drain flies. This trap uses this knowledge to its advantage by providing a sticky surface for the flies to land on.

Materials:

• A piece of yellow cardboard or paper
• Sticky trap glue or petroleum jelly

Instructions:

1. Prepare the trap: Apply a generous amount of sticky trap glue or petroleum jelly to the yellow cardboard or paper.
2. Place the trap: Hang the sticky trap near areas where you’ve seen drain flies.

The bright yellow color will attract the drain flies, and once they land on the sticky surface, they will be unable to escape.

4. The Brewer’s Yeast Trap

Brewer’s yeast is a rich source of nutrients that drain flies find irresistible. This trap uses this fact to lure them in and trap them.

Materials:

• A small bowl
• Brewer’s yeast
• Water

Instructions:

1. Mix the solution: Combine a tablespoon of brewer’s yeast with a cup of water in a small bowl.
2. Place the bowl: Position the bowl near areas where you’ve seen drain flies.

The yeasty mixture will attract the drain flies. Once they land in the bowl, they will eventually drown.

5. The Fruit Fly Trap

While primarily designed for fruit flies, this trap can also be effective against drain flies. The sweet bait is alluring to both types of pests.

Materials:

• A glass jar
• Overripe fruit
• Plastic wrap
• Rubber band
• Toothpick

Instructions:

1. Prepare the bait: Place small pieces of overripe fruit, such as banana or apple, in the bottom of the glass jar.
2. Create a lid: Cover the jar with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band.
3. Make an entry point: Poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap with a toothpick.

The sweet smell of the fruit will attract drain flies into the jar. Once inside, they will be unable to escape.

Know that consistency is key. Set up multiple traps in different areas of your home and replace them regularly to maintain their effectiveness. By combining these DIY methods with other control measures, you can significantly reduce your drain fly problem.

How to Prevent Drain Flies From Housing in Your Drainage System?

While eliminating the current drain fly population is crucial, preventing future infestations is equally important. Here are some tips to keep your drains fly-free:

• Regular Cleaning: Make drain cleaning a regular part of your cleaning routine. A clean drain is less likely to attract drain flies.  
• Garbage Disposal Care: Grind ice cubes and citrus peels in your garbage disposal to help keep it clean and fresh.  
• P-Traps: Ensure your P-traps have water in them to create a barrier against drain flies.
• Plumbing Issues: Repair any leaky pipes or faucets promptly. Standing water can be a breeding ground.  

When Should You Call in the Professionals for the Drain Flies Problem?

If your drain fly problem persists despite your best efforts, it might be time to call in a professional pest control service. They have the expertise and tools to identify the root cause of the infestation and eliminate it effectively.

Remember, patience is key when dealing with drain flies. It might take a few weeks to completely eradicate them. By combining cleaning efforts, DIY traps, and preventive measures, you can successfully win the battle against these annoying pests.

So, the next time you spot those tiny, dark flies hovering around your sink, don’t panic. Armed with the right knowledge and a little determination, you can reclaim your kitchen from the drain fly invasion.

Useful Tips For Drain Fly Control

• Seal Entry Points: Check for any cracks or openings around your pipes and seal them to prevent drain flies from entering.
• Hot Water Flushes: Pouring boiling water down your drains regularly can help dislodge organic matter and deter drain flies.  
• Dry the Area: Make sure you dry your sink and bathtub after use to prevent water buildup.
• Avoid Overuse of Chemicals: While drain cleaners can help, overuse can harm your pipes and the environment.
• Patience is Key: It might take time to completely eliminate a drain fly infestation. Be persistent and consistent in your efforts.

With these tips, you can effectively eliminate drain flies and enjoy a fly-free home.

Final Words

How to get rid of drain flies can be a frustrating challenge, but if you have the proper tools, ingredients and determination – you can regain control of your kitchen and bathroom. Remember, a clean and dry environment is the best defense against these pesky insects.

However, if DIY methods fail and you can’t get rid of the drain flies – it’s better to call a professional plumbing company like JMK Plumbing. We know how big of a ruckus these drain flies can cause, which is why – we waste no time in eradicating them for good. Call us at 305-503-6091 today if you want to get rid of the drain flies problem.