How To Get Rid of Drain Flies

Identify the Source

The first step towards getting rid of drain flies is identifying their source. These pests are attracted to decaying matter in drainpipes and other moist areas in your home. It’s easy to identify the breeding ground by watching where the flies tend to hover—usually around sinks, showers, or floor drains. To be sure, place a piece of tape over the drain at night with the sticky side facing down. Leave a few small gaps for air to escape and check the tape in the morning. From there, you can deep clean the drain to eliminate the organic buildup that’s fueling their population.

Clean the Drains

This is the most important step when it comes to getting rid of drain flies. There are several drain cleaning techniques you can employ depending on the severity of the problem. For minor clogs caused by loose food waste and soap, a pot of boiling water should do the trick. Pour a large pot of boiling water down the affected drains to help flush away some of the organic matter. Follow it up with 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain and 1 cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for about 30 minutes, then flush with hot water. The affected drain should flow freely, and you’ll start to notice a drop in fly activity. If you’re dealing with stubborn clogs, call a professional plumbing service offering drain cleaning services in Imperial, PA for help. DIY techniques may not work on hardened debris such as grease buildup and soap scum that’s been accumulating for months. A professional plumber can use tools like motorized drain snakes or hydro jetting equipment to clear the blockage and eliminate the breeding grounds for good.

Trap Adult Flies

After you’ve addressed the source of the problem, the next step is trapping adults to reduce their numbers quickly. There are two ways you can trap adult flies—you can use a sticky tape trap or an apple cider vinegar trap. Place clear tape over the top of the drain at night and leave small gaps for air and access. In the morning, check for flies stuck to the tape. Similar to a sticky tape trap, apple cider vinegar can attract drain flies. Pour a bit of it into a shallow dish or jar and add some dish soap to break the surface tension. The flies are attracted to the vinegar and will get trapped in the soapy water. You should notice a difference within a couple of days as the adult population starts to dwindle.

Tips to Prevent Future Drain Fly Infestations

• Flush your drains regularly with hot water.
• Avoid pouring grease down drains.
• Flush water through drains that aren’t used often to prevent stagnant water and buildup.
• Keep kitchen and bathroom areas clean to minimize food sources and moisture.

Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Professional Drain Cleaning

Are you in need of clogged drain cleaning? Contact the skilled and experienced plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Our plumbers have the knowledge and state-of-the-art tools to clean kitchen sink drains, shower drains, toilet drains, and outdoor drains. You can count on our specialists to get rid of even the most stubborn clogs without causing damage to your plumbing system.