Have you noticed small flies around your kitchen or bathroom? In most cases, they are what we call drain flies, (which belong to the family Psychodidae), often mistaken for fruit flies. You're here because you want to get rid of drain flies, but first, let's understand a little more about them.
Drain flies are usually seen laying between 10 and 200 eggs inside organic matters such as grease, oil and fats, sludge, food or hair, within the house. This organic material usually builds up within the drainpipes; hence, the name drain flies. After two days or less, the egg will hatch to release drain fly larvae which depend on the organic matter for food between 9 to 15 days before it will develop into an adult. The adult flies usually live for about 14 days; however, squishing them doesn’t necessarily mean successful elimination. Without specific measures in place, getting rid of drain fly larvae as well as their breeding site will never be fruitful.
So, how do you get rid of a drain fly infestation for good? Read to the end to find out!
1. Find the location of the drain flies
Drain flies are usually coming from the closest drains, so if you see one near the kitchen sink that's most likely where they are coming from. However, to be certain, take a piece of tape and put the sticky side down to cover more than half of the drain. Check the tape continuously for the subsequent days; you will notice some flies stuck on the tape if they are within that vicinity.
2. Get rid of drain flies breeding site
Now you've identified where they are breeding the next step is reaching for a pipe brush and a plumbing snake to get rid of the drain flies (If you don’t have a plumbing snakehead to a nearby hardware store). The objective is to remove all the gunk which can harbour the eggs of the drain flies. With the pipe brush, clean the sides of the pipes too, and then, use the plumbing snake to get rid of clumps such as hair and others from it. Be patient while at it, and ensure that you do a good job. You will likely get dirty while performing this task, so wear appropriate clothing.
3. Flush the Drain with some Drain Cleaner
The plumbing snake cannot remove all the organic matter entirely from the pipes, so use a drain cleaner to flush out the gunk. Adhere to the instructions on the packaging and repeat the process a few times. This is also a great way to clean smelly drains.
4. Get the Drain Plunged
It is pertinent to try every means necessary to remove all the organic matter present within the drain. Before you will plunge the drain, ensure that you flush it with a high quantity of water to remove every bit of the drain cleaner, to prevent the splattering of any caustic chemicals. Take several minutes to plunge the drain, and afterwards, pour a lot of hot water down the drain.
Basic Drain Maintenance Tips
There are some tips useful for keeping the drain flies out and avoiding blocked drain issues, they are as follows:
- Clean the drains at least once in thirty days.
- Run your garbage disposal daily (if you have one) and keep the can clean.
- Always wash your dishes.
- Close any holes in window screens and always close the doors.
- Always clean the caulking around the drains because drain flies love to lay eggs there as well.
- Prevent any lint under the washer from getting wet.
When it comes to fixing blocked drains in Sydney, Fixed Today is ready to help. So if you'd rather leave getting rid of drain flies to the experts, get in touch!
