Drain flies are an annoying problem that can infest your home. Discover with us how to effectively free yourself from these annoying invaders and enjoy the tranquility of your home environment again.
Follow us to discover the best tips and solutions to defeat this annoying problem once and for all.
Identifying Drain Flies
The drain fliesalso known as sewer flies or siphon flies, are small insects about 1.5-5 millimeters in length.
They have a gray or light brown body and light wings, both covered in long hairs, which give them a somewhat fuzzy, moth-like appearance. Although they are harmless, their presence can be very annoying.
To confirm that you have a drain fly problem, you can cover your sink with duct tape.
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When the flies try to exit the tube, they will remain stuck to the tape. If you find trapped flies, it is a sure sign of their presence.
Remove Organic Material
The main cause of drain flies is the buildup of organic material in your pipes. This problem is common in homes with older plumbing.
Removing this material can eliminate the flies’ food source and help you get rid of them for good.
To remove organic material, push a wire brush through the pipes, moving it back and forth as far as possible to remove as much of the buildup as possible.
Next, pour a pot of boiling water into the drain to rinse away the displaced material.
Use Vinegar
Vinegar is a very effective natural remedy to eliminate drain flies. The best type to use is apple cider vinegar, which will allow you to get rid of flies without using harsh chemicals.
Here is a simple recipe:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- A glass
- Transparent film
Pour the vinegar into the glass and cover it with cling film, poking small holes. Place the glass near the drain.
Flies will be attracted to the vinegar and will end up drowning in the glass. This method also works to eliminate other flies in your home.
Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water
This method will not only help eliminate drain flies, but will also clean your pipes.
Follow these steps:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup of vinegar
Start by pouring baking soda into the drain and slowly add the vinegar. The chemical reaction will produce bubbles and foam.
Let it sit for about an hour, then pour a pot of boiling water into the drain. This process will kill flies and remove accumulated organic material.
Use bleach
If you don’t have vinegar on hand or prefer a stronger method, you can use bleach. Mix one cup of bleach with ten cups of water and pour it into the drain.
Let it sit for a couple of hours before flushing the pipes with cold water. However, it is important to note that this method does not clean the pipe like baking soda and vinegar.
Using these natural methods regularly will not only help you eliminate existing flies, but will also keep your drains and pipes clean, preventing future infestations.
The beauty of these methods is that they are simple to do and do not require the purchase of expensive products.
