15 Easy Tips to Get Rid of Drain Flies

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Drain flies — those pesky, buzzing nuisances — can turn your bathroom bliss into a bug battleground. Hosting also becomes a nightmare because you’re worried about what your friends will say once they use your infested bathroom! Lucky for you, we know a thing or two about eliminating these miniature monsters. Swipe through for 15 simple ways to reclaim your bathroom and say goodbye to drain flies forever!

Diagnose the Despicable Drain Dwellers

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Not all tiny bathroom flies are drain flies. You might also find fungus gnats, which love to dump fungal and moldy surfaces, and fruit flies, which thrive around organic waste. Whatever the case, identify the culprit to find the best remedy.

The Boiling Blitz

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This tactic might seem brutal, but it is necessary! Boil a pot of water and carefully empty it into the infested drain. The hot water kills adult drain flies and dislodges any lingering eggs or pupae on contact. Since one female drain fly can lay 30 to 200 eggs at a time, do this as often as needed.

The Baking Soda & Vinegar Bonanza

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The baking soda and vinegar mix that works for all cleaning jobs also repels flies. Combine 1/2 a cup of equal parts white vinegar and baking soda and run it down the drain. The mixture fizzes, breaking down organic matter that attracts drain flies. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

The Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

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The sweet aroma of apple cider vinegar attracts drain flies, making it an effective trap. Fill a dish with apple cider vinegar, cover it with cling film, pierce tiny holes in the film, and place the bowl next to the drain and wait. The flies will enter the bowl and be unable to escape, eventually drowning in the liquid.

Essential Oil Elimination

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Some essential oil aromas can deter drain flies, and here’s how: Mix water with drops of peppermint oil or tea tree oil. Spray the mixture around the bathroom and directly into the drain. These oils have natural insect-repelling properties that help send drain flies packing while leaving your space smelling fresh. 

The Bleach Blast

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If you want to go the chemical way, pour a small amount of bleach down the drain. The harsh chemicals will kill the larvae and flies. However, be cautious when using bleach and follow any safety instructions written on the packaging.

Enzyme Cleaners

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Another chemical remedy is to use enzyme-based cleaners. These cleaners break down any organic matter stuck in the drains, making them easy to keep clean. Enzyme cleaners are safe and effective at removing the buildup that drain flies feed on.

The Salt Solution

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Drain flies cannot survive a saline environment, so you can dump a lot of salt down the drain, followed by hot water. The salt also helps to scrub and disinfect the pipes, eliminating the drain flies’ breeding ground.

The Ammonia Approach

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Ammonia’s scent is pungent, and drain flies detest it. Dispense a small amount down the infested drain and let it sit for a few hours before flushing with water. Ammonia effectively kills the flies and their eggs, but be cautious of the fumes and follow safety guidelines.

Install Drain Covers

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Drain covers can go a long way toward keeping the flies away, and one way is to use fine mesh drain covers. Fine mesh covers with tiny holes only allow water passage and prevent flies from entering and breeding in the pipes below. These covers also help catch debris that attracts flies.

Use a Drain Brush

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Scrubbing the inside drains with a drain brush can also help remove slime and organic buildup that attract the bugs. This physical removal of stuck gunk helps clear out all the possible breeding grounds for the flies and prevents their growth.

The Hot Air Dryer

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Hot air suffocates these tiny flying terrorists. Using a hairdryer, blow hot air directly into the drain. This heat will dry out the drain and kill all the larvae, making the environment less homely for flies.

Use a UV Light Trap

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Installing a UV light trap near the infested area attracts drain flies with light and then captures them using a sticky board or electric grid. This method helps to reduce the adult fly population quickly.

Regular Maintenance

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If you want to completely send the drain fly army packing, ensure you perform regular maintenance on your plumbing system. This includes professional inspections and deep cleanings to help you determine the cause and address issues before they lead to fly infestations.

Banish the Breeding Grounds

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After managing the flies with the above four methods, you might still find them lingering around, which means eliminating the breeding ground is the final step. Regularly clean drains with a drain snake or a commercial drain cleaner. Minimize food scraps and hair going down the drain, and wipe up spills promptly to prevent moisture, fungi, and mold buildup.

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