What Are Drain Flies? Drain flies commonly go by a few nicknames such as moth flies or sink flies. They are about the same size as gnats and fruit flies—between 2mm and 5mm—but can be distinguished by their small, moth-like wings and round, fuzzy bodies.
What looks like a drain fly?
Drain flies, also known as sewer flies, filter flies, moth flies or sink flies, look similar to the average house fly as they are very small – about an eighth of an inch – and black/brown. They also have a unique vein pattern in their wings, which are covered in tiny hairs. They leave a powdery smudge when crushed.
How can you tell the difference between a drain fly and a fruit fly?
While visually distinct, both pests are tiny at about one-eighth of an inch long. A drain fly, also known as a sewer fly, has a moth-like appearance with fuzzy wings, antennae, and black or brown coloring. A fruit fly has red eyes and a body that can range from brown to yellow with dark stripes or spots.
How do I permanently get rid of drain flies?
How do I permanently get rid of drain flies?
- Flushing your toilet or drain. …
- Boiling water. …
- Mix baking soda with Salt and Vinegar. …
- Apple Cide Vinegar and Plastic wrap. …
- White vinegar, salt, and baking soda. …
- Clean out the drain with a metal drain brush. …
- Trap them with a combination of water, vinegar, and liquid dish soap.
What is the difference between a drain fly and a gnat?
The eyes of a fungus gnat are black and hidden in the black coloration of its head. You might also confuse drain flies for fungus gnats. Drain flies, which are often called moth flies because they have a moth-like appearance, are common flies in kitchen areas, and can appear in large numbers, like fungus gnats.
Can’t figure out where drain flies are coming from?
Locate the Source
Drain flies can come from organic buildups in any area where there is standing water. Check your bathroom drains, kitchen sink, shower, sump pump, sewage system, and even floorboards where there might be a pipe leak. Look for multiple flies hanging out on the walls near these possible sources.
What kind of bugs come out of drains?
There are seven main insects and bugs that can crawl up your drain: drain flies, fungus gnats, cockroaches, fruit flies, phorid flies, psocid mites (or booklice) and Spiders. However, spiders only crawl up unused drains.
How big is a drain fly?
about 1/8 inch
Moth flies, often called drain flies, are small, about 1/8 inch in length and often dark-colored. Their wings are covered with fine hairs, which give them a moth-like appearance.
What are tiny black flying bugs?
These small black bugs flying inside your home that are not fruit flies, or mosquitoes, are fungus gnats. Fungus gnats look like tiny mosquitoes. Outdoors, these small flying bugs live and breed on damp soil beds, compost piles, decaying organic waste like foliage, rotting wood pieces, and mulch beds.
What are small flies that look like fruit flies?
The phorids, also known as humpbacked flies, are small flies that resemble Fruit Flies in appearance. They are usually tan to dark brown. The Phorid Fly lacks the red eye color that is the classic trademark of the Fruit Fly.
Do drain flies live in plant soil?
They love plants, and moist soil is their favorite breeding ground. If you water your potting soil often, you may see a lot of these flies. The larvae of these flies feed on roots, but they don’t cause severe damage to the plants.
What are these tiny flies in my house?
Fungus Gnats: If the flies are small, black, and flying around windows or potted plants; then they are probably fungus gnats. These flies are the most common small fly in houses. They are small, delicate black flies that are weak flyers and often collect at windows.
What are these tiny flies in my kitchen?
Those small black flies in your kitchen are most likely phorid, drain or dark fruit flies. You should first identify the type of fly you are dealing with before assuming it is a fruit fly. The best way to get rid of them is by removing their food source and breeding grounds.
What causes drain flies?
Drain flies gather, mate, and lay eggs in moisture or standing water. The slimy film that forms in sewers and drains is a favorite breeding spot. Putting off regular cleaning and maintenance of these areas may attract the pests and offer them a place to feed and develop.
How do drain flies get in the house?
Drain flies do not come up from your pipes or drains, rather they come from outdoors to the drain when they smell the organic matter they need to breed. Drain Flies get into your home through tiny holes. Drain flies are most active in the evening when they congregate around sinks and drains.
Where are these small flies coming from?
Also known as vinegar or drosophila flies, these flies get their common name from their tendency to lay eggs in decaying fruit, as the fermenting sugars provide their food. They also tend to grow in the liquids of improperly sealed containers of fruits and vegetables.
How do you deal with a fly infestation?
Here are seven things you can do to help get rid of these pests.
- Find the source. The first thing you need do is figure out where the flies are coming from. …
- Clean common areas. …
- Use the rotten fruit against them. …
- Make a swimming pool trap. …
- Mix a vinegar solution. …
- Try a store-bought trap. …
- Hire an exterminator.
How do I identify small flies?
Shape: Body shape can range from compact gnats to the gangly, mosquito-like look of crane flies. Hair: Some varieties, like shiny bottle flies, appear to have little hair, while fuzzy drain flies have a moth-like look. Eyes: Forward-facing, goggle-shaped eyes are a hallmark of house flies.
What are small black flies in bathroom?
The black or brown flies/moths you see in your drain are most likely “drain flies” that live on decomposing, organic matter in your drains, which explains why they hang out near sinks or showers. These flies are also referred to as: Moth flies.
Can drain flies come from the toilet?
There might be drain flies coming from your toilet, but they are more likely to come from your sink, tub, or shower drain. If they come from the toilet, the most likely culprit is the closet flange, which requires removing the toilet to access. Carefully remove the toilet and clean the flange thoroughly.
