Spotting pests in your house is an unpleasant and disgusting experience. Who loves seeing flies and other icky critters in your bathroom and kitchen? The first thing that comes to mind is to get rid of these pests fast. But have you also thought about the long-term – that is, how to keep these critters away from your home for good?
When you have pipe and drain problems, you normally call a professional plumber to get it fixed. The same goes with drain flies – you get rid of them too, but how? But first, you need to know what drain flies are and how to shoo them away from your bathroom and kitchen for good.
What are drain flies?
As the name suggests, drain flies live in pipes and drains as well as in septic tanks, sewers, and sewage-contaminated soil. Drain flies are small and resemble a gnat or a fruit fly, and have a brownish or gray. These critters don’t sting or bite and are harmless, but come in large numbers that can cause inconvenience at times.
Drain flies usually feed on organic matter within these spots, and could even come into your home through the shower drain or kitchen sink. You will know if you have drain flies when you spot a few of them near a shower or sink that has been stagnant or unused for some time. They also have a fuzzy appearance and are known for their erratic flying pattern.
If you notice small insects that match the abovementioned descriptions, then you should do something about it and prevent drain fly infestation later on.
Tips to get rid of drain flies
If you think drain flies are existing in your bathroom or kitchen, you should get rid of them immediately. As mentioned, drain flies are harmless but could be a nuisance in your home. Here are some ways you can get rid of drain flies.
Cover possible access points with packing tape.
It could be anywhere in your bathroom or kitchen. In this case, you should cover those areas with clear packing tape. Not only tape can stop the flies from infesting your home but also trap them on the sticky tape. You can also use a drain plug to keep the flies from entering your home.
Use homemade products.
You can make this DIY drain fly trap: mix equal parts water, sugar, and white vinegar in a bowl or jar. Then, add 5 to 10 drops of dishwashing soap and leave the mixture next to a shower drain or sink until the flies are gone for good. Or, you can boil a pot of water and pour it down the sink or drain. Do this once or twice a day until you can get rid of the flies.
Keep your drain clean.
As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure. So if you don’t want to deal with drain flies, you should keep your drain and sink clear through regular cleaning and maintenance. Remove the stagnant water you can see near the sink and drain areas. If there are leaky pipes and drains, have them repaired by a professional plumber in Franklin TN.
