Have you noticed small flies around your kitchen or bathroom? In most cases, they are what we call drain flies, sink flies, sewer flies or sewer gnats (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 usually lay 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, getting rid of drain fly larvae and 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 usually come 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 sure, 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 drain 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 drain fly infestations or drain fly eggs. With the pipe brush, clean the sides of the pipes, and then use the plumbing snake to get rid of clumps such as hair and others. 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 entirely remove all the organic matter from the pipes. Go the extra mile and utilise a drain cleaner to flush 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. You can also use apple cider vinegar, dish soap and baking soda as alternative drain cleaners. Even boiling water can do the trick. Just pour boiling water down the sink or drain to kill the drain flies and clear the drain, removing the gunk they love to eat.
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 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 valuable ways to get rid of drain flies and for keeping them 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 with drain cleaners like dish soap the caulking around the drains because drain flies love to lay eggs there.
- Prevent any lint under the washer from getting wet.
A well-maintained drain is essential for the smooth functioning of any household. But improper disposal of items and unintentionally dropping them can clog your drains. Changing a few habits or getting your hands a little dirty and putting more time and attention into your home's drains may save you a lot of money.
But even if you're careful enough to dispose of the leftover food in a garbage bag, it's impossible to avoid grease buildups in the kitchen pipe. Even when you are a very cautious person, you may not notice the existence of grease in the drainpipe until overflowing happens.
Grease isn't the problem. It's the tendency to build up over a prolonged time until it overwhelms your drainage that grease and fat blockages become a challenge. Grease starts to solidify and stick to the sides of the pipe until they form large clumps, which obstruct the water from flowing.
When it comes to fixing blocked drains in Sydney, Fixed Today is ready to help. Aside from drain flies, there may also be undetected leaks and problems you may not be able to see or notice immediately. So if you’d rather leave getting rid of drain flies to the experts and find the best plumbing solutions for your problems, get in touch!
