Plumbing DIY Tips & Tricks
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- By Russell Jones
Get rid of drain flies for good without using harsh chemicals. Our expert tips and tricks will show you how to effectively eliminate these pesky pests in a safe and eco-friendly way. Read our blog now!
Psychodidae, commonly known as drain flies, sewer gnats, sewer flies, or even drain gnats, are a family of flies commonly found in kitchen sinks and shower drains.
Fortunately, drain flies present no health risks to humans. Still, they can be quite a nuisance to be around, so you’ll want to get rid of them as soon as possible.
A drain fly feeds off material like sewage, whereas a fruit fly eats fruits, vegetables, and plants. So, a drain fly would be more likely to be found in drains and septic tanks.
The central cause for drain fly infestations is standing water. This is because the water provides opportunities for the flies to eat and mate and lay drain fly eggs.
While bleach is unlikely to damage your pipes, it can get caught in the p-trap, which can mix with other stuff and cause toxic fumes and possible pipe damage.
Bleach isn't very effective in killing drain flies. Bleach moves quickly down the drain and won’t kill as many drain flies as other methods we will list.
Unlike bleach which isn’t safe for all drains, enzyme-based drain cleaners are a safe and effective chemical to kill drain flies.
Even without household bleach, there are still many ways to kill drain flies. Read the article to learn the best ways that you can DIY.