Tricks To Keep Drain Flies Out Of Your Western Massachusetts Residence

Also called moth flies and sink flies, drain flies get their nicknames from their moth-like appearance and the way they hang around drains. With pale gray to black coloring, drain flies may look like moths, but they’re not able to fly very far. You may be asking yourself, where do flies come from? Or, what kills flies?

There’s plenty to know about drain flies. Here’s what Western Massachusetts homeowners should understand about where drain flies come from, why they’re so hard to get rid of, some simple tips to deter drain flies, and how pest control in Western Massachusetts can help you get rid of drain flies permanently.

Where Do Drain Flies Come From?

With drain flies, it can feel like an infestation just appears, but where do these pests come from? There’s one common factor that attracts drain flies: stagnant water. Drain flies eat the organic material in standing water and lay their eggs in water that collects bacteria and sewage. This makes these flies a common fixture around outdoor sinks, kitchens, basement sinks, sewers, septic tanks, and any soil that has sewage in it.

Even mop buckets, storm drains that have standing water, or compost piles can attract drain flies as long as there’s a little excess moisture. So, while drain flies can end up anywhere with bacteria and standing water, drains are a common hangout spot for these pests.

Here are a couple of other key facts to understand about drain flies:

• Even though drain flies only live around 24 days, they can lay up to 300 eggs in a 48-hour period.

• Unlike most buzzing flies, drain flies take large hops around your home or sink instead of long flights.

• Drain flies do not generally carry disease or bacteria unless they’re found in very large numbers.

Even though drain flies aren’t considered a health risk or harmful, they can still be a major (and costly) nuisance to have around your home.

Why Is It So Hard To Get Rid Of Drain Flies?

As we mentioned above, drain flies can reproduce quickly. Even though they only live less than a month, they lay hundreds of new eggs within that time. To completely get rid of a drain fly infestation, you need to kill every single fly and egg – which can be very hard to do unless you’re working with a professional pest control service.

These flies can also be tricky to get rid of because they’re hard to kill. Drain flies are biologically built to thrive in wet, bacteria-ridden areas. They have scales on their wings, which help them withstand temperatures from boiling hot to freezing cold.

Five Tips To Deter Drain Flies

Once a drain fly infestation starts, it can be hard to get rid of them, which is why it’s best to stop drain fly problems before they start. Here are five tips to prevent drain flies in kitchens:

1. Make sure you’re regularly cleaning your drains, and use a scraper or brush that descends into the pipes if possible.

2. If you do use a pipe brush or scraper, make sure you sanitize it afterward cleaning so that you don’t accidentally keep larvae or eggs around.

3. Try using a drain cleaner designed to erode organic material, which is what drain flies like to feed on.

4. Pour boiling water down your drain. While this won’t kill adult drain flies that have the biological defenses to withstand it, boiling water will kill larvae and eggs.

5. Use a mixture of equal parts salt, baking soda, and vinegar, and pour it down your drain. The mixture may fizzle and foam, but it can also help clear out your drains.

These five steps can be a helpful start to avoiding issues with drain flies, but if you already have a population in your home, it is time for more aggressive tactics.

How To Get Rid Of Drain Flies In Western Massachusetts For Good

Since DIY methods and techniques can only be so effective, there’s only one solution for getting rid of drain flies for good, and that’s working with a residential pest control professional like American Pest Solutions. These pests can be a huge nuisance to have around the home, especially in your kitchen, but that’s where we can help.

With over a hundred years of experience in the pest control industry as a locally-owned business, our trustworthy reputation speaks for itself. If you’re seeing drain flies hovering around your home, there’s only one thing to do – contact us today at American Pest Solutions to learn more about our fly control services.