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.
Drain flies also differ in color compared to other small house flies, typically ranging between pale gray to black.
While they may look like moths, these little creatures cannot fly very far. Drain flies enjoy stagnant water that collects even small amounts of bacteria and sewage, so they are often found congregating around:. One common denominator among all of these places is low, stagnant water. Drain flies can lay eggs in the film that forms on the inside of pipes and drains when water pools and collects sewage.
For this reason, drain flies may also be attracted to:. Drain flies primarily live on organic material found in standing water, which often includes sewage or other contaminated water, typically when it causes a film to build up in a humid area of pipes with standing water.
Because of this, your drains are an ideal place for drain flies to thrive and reproduce. They can also find food and sewage near a collection of garbage, animal waste, or compost. In short, no, drain flies are not harmful to humans. Though drain flies consume and live in sewage and bacteria, they are not disease-carrying insects, but In great masses, they can carry the bacteria with them.
Overall, they cause no proven harm to your health, even if they are a serious nuisance in your home. As we noted before, drain flies can also reproduce quickly, spreading nests throughout your pipes that can be costly to clear out if left unchecked.
There are a few sure ways to check if more drain flies are living and breeding in your pipes. Place a piece of duct tape on top of your drain and seal it off overnight. Drain flies will eventually try to come up to the surface but will get stuck to the tape on the way out. Not only does this take care of some of the flies in your drain, but it can give you an indication of how the infestation has grown.
Repeat several nights in a row to fully assess the issue. Drain flies frequently lay eggs in the organic material that builds up right at the opening of your drain. Remove the drain cover, scrape some of the slime off the sides, and look for thin, tube-like, drain-fly larvae.
Depending on the degree of your drain fly infestation, you can take a natural or chemical route to get rid of the pests. In many instances, it is possible to quickly get rid of drain flies with common items found in your kitchen or under the sink.
In some cases, simply flushing out your drains can remove both the drain fly larvae and remove any temptation for drain flies to return. Use these methods both as preventative and management tactics for managing your infestation. The simplest method to clear out your drain fly issue is to pour boiling water carefully down your drain times a day for about a week.
This will ensure that the flies do not return overnight if the water did not catch all of the organic material built up inside. Combine this go-to mixture of pantry items to create a natural cleaning solution and pour it down your drain overnight. The baking soda expands with the vinegar, reaching more areas than the boiling water. If you do accidentally mix bleach and ammonia, get out of the contaminated area and into fresh air immediately. Learn how to super clean your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and whole house to keep your home healthy and safe.
Plus, must-know tips for preventing…. Bleach can harm your lungs and absorb into your skin. If you come into contact with bleach on your skin or in your eyes, be aware of how to safely…. A group of researchers discovered that when bleach fumes mix with a citrus compound found in many household cleaners, it can create potentially…. Did you know your kitchen is most likely the dirtiest spot in your home? Find out where else germs live and how to keep those spots clean.
Following the proper procedure for washing your hands will quickly become second nature. Scrubbing hands together for 20 or more seconds is enough to…. Find information on isopropyl alcohol poisoning symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. Learn what to do if you suspect you have isopropyl alcohol poisoning. Discover why gasoline exposure can be dangerous for your health. Learn about gasoline poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning, when to seek help, and….
The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to purchase or use nitrite poppers because they can cause serious health problems, including…. New research from the University of Notre Dame found that nearly half of cosmetic products tested in a study contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl…. Best on grease clogs. Works in 15 minutes. WAIT Allow the product to work for 15 minutes. Use one tablespoon weekly as directed to keep drains running freely.
Do not mix this product with any other product. Do not use this product if you have recently treated this clog with a different product.
Do not exceed the dosage as it can cause stagnation or permanent pipe clogging. Suitable for drain cleaning only.
0コメント