Key Takeaways
If you ’re washing the mantrap and you start detect fuzzyfliesabout the width of a shoestring shooting of your kitchen sink like fireworks on theFourth of July , you might have a drain fly problem . And as their name implies , drainage fly front do dwell in drains .
Like most fly front , drain flies are around 1/16–3/16 inches ( 1.5 - 5 millimeters ) long with six legs , a twosome of wings and antennae . Their bodiesare light gray or tan . Their recognize characteristic is the hair that covers their torso , antennae and wings , give them a blurred — some could even reason adorable — caliber . That ’s also why they are sometimes called moth flies because they resemble the fuzzy appearance of moths .
Frank Meek , technical manager withOrkinand a dining table - certifiedentomologist , notes they are also call sewage tent-fly or filter flies . " These names stanch from places or situations that represent typical breeding and development sites for the pest , " he explains via email .
Moist locations — preferably shroud with their favourite entrees like intellectual nourishment scraps , sewerage , break up plant life and other nutrient - dense organics — are raging spots for these tent flap . That makes your sump , storm drains , shower waste pipe , septic storage tank , compost voltaic pile , as well as any pile of dog dejection in the backyard , seem like a gastronome buffet .
Like all worm , drainage fly do n’t stick around to nurture their young . They are glad to impart their eggs in the same places they run through : food waste , feces , logs and in your sinkhole . But their preferred spot in and around your home is usually soil .
" dampish soil is their favorite rearing priming coat , either in premixed soil , a pre - pottedhouseplant , or underneath your family . Since this activity occurs out of tidy sum , homeowners often do n’t observe a trouble until fully grown drain flies appear in kitchens and can , " Meek say .
Once the eggs think of into tiny white larvae , it takes about 8 - 24 days to fully age . As grownup , their sprightliness span is a paltry two weeks , equate to a housefly that live up to a month .
What to Do if You Have Drain Flies
Meek points out that you ’re most potential to see them resting on walls because flying is n’t their strong suit of clothes . " drainpipe fly are infirm fliers , so indoors , they are usually seen cringe on walls or other surfaces , " he say . If you suspect you have drain flies , render keeping a close eye on your kitchen after dinner . " Their greatest activeness is in the even when they may fly or bulk large above waste pipe unfold indoors or sewerage filter beds , outside . "
The good news is that if you have drain flies , it does n’t mean you ’re living in filth . It most belike means you have a slow , cloggeddrain .
" Drain tent-fly cumulate , mate , and lay eggs in moisture or standing water . The slimy film that forms in sewer and drains is a preferred breeding spot and intellectual nourishment reservoir . Putting off regular cleaning and maintenance of these area may pull in the pests and provide them a place to feed and arise , " Meek explain .
Despite rare cases where inhalation of drain fly dead body parts causesbronchial bronchial asthma , these pests are n’t known to spread any serious diseases to homo or large animate being , Meek says . However , it ’s no understanding to put off removing them . Drain tent-fly can land on your charcuterie board and spread bacteria ; that ’s a snatch much even for a blue cheese lover .
How to Remove and Prevent Drain Flies
If you comment these fuzzy flies sprout out of your drainpipe while washing your lulu , it ’s time to clean star sign . Here ’s what to do :
Natural Solutions to Get Rid of Drain Flies
Here are some ways to take out and prevent waste pipe flies that do n’t require chemicals , courtesy of This Old House :
You ’ll still need to find the breeding site and deal with that so as not to have a return of drain flies .
