Drain Flies

In this article, let us shed some light on drain flies, their size and appearance, life cycle, their difference with fruit flies, health effects, how to get rid of drain flies and know every piece of information associated with them.

What is a Drain Fly?

A drain fly is a small fly and usually black in color. However, these flies can also be brown. But the main thing that will help you identify these flies is their unique pattern of veins which lies in their wings. No matter what name you call them, these are regarded as a real pain.

They are known by other names, including:

• Moth Flies
• Filter Flies
• Sewer Flies
• Sink Flies

Drain flies are hairy and bothersome creatures that are a true pain in the neck. Living and breeding in the organic matter of kitchen and bathroom drain, you will only get up close and personal with them when you are back home from a long holiday.

If you are thinking that these critters make their way to one’s house through pipes or drains, then you’re mistaken. Instead, they come from outdoors to the drain when they sniff something organic which they need to breed. Moreover, they use small holes to get into one’s home.

Appearance and Size

The size of adult drain flies is about 1.5 to 5mm long. Not only are they tiny bugs with thick hair, but they are also flies with a broad body which is usually less than 5mm or 1/4 inch in length. Even though they may don’t cause you any harm, they will surely drive you crazy when they’re buzzing around your face. Not only do their hairy bodies, but their wings also give them a “furry” moth-like appearance.

Moth flies are not strong when it comes to flying. In fact, they crawl on the walls. And when these creatures fly, they do not move large distances but cover only a few feet. They fly in a bumpy line. However, the night lights may attract the attention of adults flies. These flies are normally found in shady places close to water. They can be found in a large number on thick foliage in the wetland.

Life Cycle

Drain flies or moth flies multiply in those waters which are not only contaminated but shallow. Adult females lay 30-100 eggs in substance around waste material as well as drainage areas. These eggs conceive in 32-48 hours, and the larval stage lasts for about 8 to 24 days. As far as the pupal stage is concerned, it lasts for about 20-40 hours. It is important for you to know that adults live only for a couple of weeks. Larvae feast on things like fungi, algae, bacteria, and other small animals. The new, breeding flies feed not only on the nectar of the flower but impure water as well.

These flies prefer living in moist areas where organic matter is decaying.

As a homeowner, you may never have a close encounter with drain fly larvae since they’re located in the gelatinous film inside the drain. But there are times you can find the larvae in the film when drains are taken apart.

Well, larvae are deemed to be advantageous. How? Because they cut down materials that result in the clogging of drains. With those effectively strong jaws, these pests have the capability of cutting through several layers of impenetrable matter as well as accumulation.

The life cycle of these pests can be completed in no time, and it does not take long to be completed. Adult flies lay a plethora of eggs on certain food areas, and eggs don’t take much time to hatch. Larvae, at a typical home temperature, may complete their growth before you even know it.

During the daytime, adults take rest in shadowy areas. They even rest on walls near plumbing fixtures and can be found resting on the sides of tubs as well as showers. It is during the evening time when most of these annoying pests can be seen lingering around sinks and drains. Moreover, they may give birth to a large number of offspring at sewage plants. Then they may reach one’s home by the wind. Adults can even make their way to a person’s house by the medium of window screen.

Drain Flies Vs. Fruit Flies

Drain Flies – These flies, also known as moth flies, filter flies, and sewage gnats, are pests that drive you mad when you see them buzzing around your face. Primarily, homeowners are concerned with these unwanted little creatures when they appear in a house or building.

These flies can be found near your sink or shower and sometimes in kitchen and bathroom. If you have had a close encounter with this species of flies in your home lately, maybe because there is a leakage in your drain pipe.

Moist places like snow or clogged drains are another way that results in the growing and breeding of these bugs. If that’s the case, then using liquid drain cleaner will not do you any good. In such a situation, hiring a professional pest control service provider will be the right thing to do. You will soon get rid of drain flies and other problems related to these unwelcome bugs.

Fruit Flies – These flies are not only smaller in size, but can be black or brownish. They are the ones that are fond of unfrozen products. These consist of ripening fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome materials.

Ever thought what can happen if there are two adult flies in your home? Well, they can easily lay up to 500 eggs near the food items which are not stored in the refrigerator. If there is no food lying on the kitchen counter, fruit flies can lay their eggs not only in the garbage disposal and recycling bins but garbage bags and empty alcohol cans.

Looking to eliminate drain flies? It is better if you get rid of what they like the most, i.e. fully developed fruits or vegetables.

Are Drain Flies Harmful?

Ever ran into those unwanted bugs with those small wings crawling out of the bathtub drain? Those are drain flies or moth flies. Well, drain flies don’t cause harm to humans. However, they can become an annoyance in large quantities.

Health Effects

Well, these critters have maintained their obnoxious reputation for living in the most unhygienic conditions. That’s the only reason why some people are worried about their health thinking if these pests can be detrimental for them.

There have been some cases that indicated specific species of moth flies as the prime reason for some ailments. These include:

• Myiasis
• Leishmaniasis
• Microfilaria and
• Asthma.

They aren’t known to be a carrier of any human diseases. However, they are capable of causing mechanical impurity of food items. This is because they grow from an unclean source. It is important for you to know that drain flies hovering around your business and around drains as well may cause harm to the health of your clients. That way it can stain the reputation of your business.

How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

No homeowner cannot even think about drain flies becoming a permanent dweller in the home. Although these pests don’t cause any harm to humans as mentioned above, they can still be a bothersome affair that you would never want to deal with.

Below is a list of some useful tips that will help you get rid of awful flies.

Make Sure You Inspect Every Possible Breeding Ground

You never know when there might be potential grounds which allow these pests to breed in and around your house. They breed in drains as well. While moth flies usually spend their time in drains, there can be a possibility that they can make way to your house from a close-by area that’s contaminated.

Clean the Source

Don’t want these annoying little creatures to invade your house? The only way you can eliminate them for good is to clean their source, i.e. the breeding ground. Get in touch with professional exterminators if more than one home has been affected in the entire neighborhood.

Use Drain Cleaners

You can find several local brands that are harmful to these creatures. Don’t you forget to make goods use of the drain cleaner at regular intervals? Make sure your children and pets don’t come into contact with these sprays.

Check the Pipes

There are times when pipes can break open. As a result, they make way for the moth flies living in these pipes. If that’s the case, you would have to look for these flies which are coming out of the slabs of the floor. You would have to force open the slabs to check if there are drain flies.

Use Chemical Sprays

You can consider using chemical sprays for eliminating drain flies. But keep in mind that these sprays are harmful and cannot be used if the plagued area is your kitchen.

Pictures

Take a close look at some of the pictures of drain flies:

 

Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about drain flies that you may not be aware of:

1. Drain flies are usually found out in nature. A majority of these flies require very wet places to live.
2. Drain flies can be organic decomposers. How about thinking them as your own little plumbers? They feed on the organic substance in your pipes.
3. Some members of the family Psychodidae are known to be amongst the most medicinal imperative insects on earth.
4. Drain flies are an ancient group. Fossil Psychodidae date back to the time when the primeval dinosaurs were alive.

With more than 2600 species available in every nook and cranny of the world, the body and wings of drain flies are literally covered with hair. They leave a grainy blot. Though these pesky little creatures are commonly found near drains, many people tend to confuse them with Phorid fly, Sphaerocerid fly or Fruit fly which should not be the case.