Ick. Black, buzzing, nasty little things flapping their way around the kitchen. And landing on your food. Not only are drain flies disgusting, but they’re not healthy to have around. They’re difficult to get rid of and they lay their eggs everywhere.
If you want to get rid of them, what do you do? What about bleach? It kills everything gross, right?
Is it safe to use, though?
What Are Drain Flies?
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These flying insects are known by a bunch of different names, including:
- Drain flies
- Drain gnats
- Sink flies
- Moth flies
- Sewer gnats
The pesky insects belong to the family Psychodidae and tend to live around water. That’s why they’re known commonly as drain flies – because they pop into the drains of houses. They actually don’t fly very well, either, but they have wings and technically are flies. They’re just not very good at their job.
What Causes Drain Flies?
Sink flies don’t come up from drains, unlike popular myths depict. Rather, they come in the outside world in search of water. This frequently happens when the outside water sources dry up. They tend to move into drains because of the bacteria and sewage that builds up in them. The flies love sewage, so your drains are absolute paradise for them.
Breeding prolifically, up to 300 eggs can hatch over a 2 day period, which is why so many come out all at once. They may live for up to 3 weeks.
Does Bleach Kill Drain Flies?
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First, let’s ask the question: does bleach kill drain flies? A lot of folks think immediately of pouring bleach down the drain when they notice these annoying little insects. But, doing this rarely helps the situation.
The chemical might kill some of the larvae living down there, but the liquid passes through so quickly that it doesn’t have time to do much. If there’s any kind of build up where the eggs are deposited (and there usually is), the bleach can’t do anything about it.
And if your pipes are at all old, the bleach could well damage them, as full-strength chlorine is corrosive.
What About Bleach and Ammonia?
Let’s stop you right there. Attempting to combine bleach and ammonia creates a noxious, dangerous gas that’s potentially fatal when inhaled.
Additionally, bleach by itself is an unsafe chemical that may cause other issues for you and your family. It’s best to skip the chlorine-based products and go natural.
If I Can’t Use Bleach, How Do I Get Rid of Drain Flies?
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Some natural remedies for drain flies may be your best bet for getting rid of these nasty insects.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
One of the preferred methods – and often most effective home remedy – combines vinegar and baking soda. Combine a 3:2 ratio of baking soda to vinegar in a bowl and mix together. The mixture should be thin enough to drizzle down the pipes without it flowing through like liquid. If, when you hold it up with a spoon it won’t drizzle, gradually add a tiny bit more vinegar at a time. Once it hits that desired texture, pour the combination down your drains, aiming primarily for the sides of the pipes. Let it stand over night without running any water down the drain.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Dish Soap, and Water
Another more natural alternative is creating a trap for the flies using a 2:2:1 ration of apple cider vinegar, dish soap and water. Combine them into a dish and then pour it down the drain. Cover the drain with plastic wrap and poke tiny holes into it. The flies will go down in and get trapped, unable to escape back up through the holes because of getting cause in dish soap.
Rotten Strawberries and Honey for Garbage Disposals
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If you can get a hold of some strawberries, drizzle a little bit of honey over them. Then, toss them into the drain where the garbage disposal resides. Let them stand for several hours, ideally already somewhat rotten before they go in. The flies will be drawn to the rotting fruit and get stuck in the honey. Once you notice the flies are stuck, start running water and turn on the garbage disposal.
What If the Natural Approach Doesn’t Work?
If you’ve tried the natural and less toxic methods for getting rid of drain flies, and they won’t go away, you may need to turn to professional help. Professionals have the skills and access to apply effective elimination methods. Foaming enzymes, for example, may be used by the pros to remove the film inside your drains and pipes, eliminating the food source for the flies. The foams also target the eggs and larvae. This kind of treatment is both safe and effective.
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