The appearance of sewer flies is a sign of pollution and nuisance. This article will show you how to get rid of drain flies from the toilet, you can even get rid of them.
The drainage system in the house is a place for stagnant water and is also a “home” for many species of insects, one of which is the drain fly. If you see small flies suddenly appearing around the toilet, sink or under the shower in the toilet, you probably have a sewer fly infestation.
What are sewer flies?
According to Wikipedia, drain flies, also known as butterfly flies, belong to the family Psychodidae. Sewage flies are widely distributed in the tropics. You can easily distinguish drain flies from other flies thanks to their distinctive features: short body and wings, hairy, light gray to black color, dome-shaped wings. Although they look like moths, they do not have the ability to fly far, usually they just fly around near their habitat.
These flies usually live in stagnant or muddy water, so toilet drains are an ideal place for them to reside. Sewage flies are usually nocturnal, attracted to light and odors. Their food is decomposed organic matter and garbage that accumulates in sewers, or near garbage collection areas. They can spawn up to 300 eggs in just 48 hours and grow at a very fast rate so they will quickly take over your toilet.
Where do sewer flies usually live in your home?
The common feature of this fly species is that it prefers a wet, stagnant environment, female flies often lay eggs on the surface of sewage or on the walls of pipes, so sewer flies often appear in areas:
- Kitchen and sink;
- Shower, bathtub, toilet;
- Septic cellar;
- Indoor sewage system;
In which, the most common is around the utensils in the toilet.
Are sewer flies harmful?
Although sewer flies do not sting people, do not play a role in transmitting disease to humans, the presence of these flies is an indication of contamination and is a nuisance when you use the toilet. In Vietnam, there have been many cases of hospitalization due to ingestion of larvae of sewer flies.
How to detect sewer flies?
If you see one or a few drain flies around your house, you should start looking for them as their eggs will hatch very quickly. The easiest way to detect sewer flies is before you go to bed, use clear glue to seal your drains and leave it overnight.
Evening is the time when drain flies are most active, and when they come out of the drain, they will be trapped in duct tape. ?You may not be able to see their “nest” exactly, but you will easily locate their habitat and kill the sewer flies easily.
How to kill drain flies in the toilet
Based on the number of flies appearing in the toilet, you can guess how invasive the flies are, from which you can choose a natural solution or a chemical insecticide. Here are some simple and fastest ways to get rid of drain flies.
Simple natural ways to get rid of sewer flies
In many cases, simply flushing your drain can remove both eggs and larvae and eliminate “temptations” for flies to return. These methods should be performed periodically to better prevent their penetration.
1. Boiling water
The simplest method to kill drain fly eggs and larvae is to gently flush the drain with boiling water 1-2 times a day, continuously for about a week. Boiling water also cleans the organic deposits in the pipes, without food flies will no longer come.
2. Trap flies with a mixture: soap + water + sugar + vinegar
Take a bowl full of water, add a few drops of soap, sugar, and vinegar. Stir well and place the bowl of water near the manhole for a few days to attract flies. They will be kept in the water.
3. Baking soda + Salt + Vinegar
These are the ingredients that are often mentioned as an effective natural way to unclog drains . Like boiling water, the main use of this mixture is to clean organic deposits along the pipe, but the mixture can clean pipes in deeper locations. After letting the mixture soak until morning, flush the pipes with boiling water.
4. Trap flies with: vinegar and food wrap
Pour vinegar into ½ bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and punch small holes so that flies can only get in but not get out.
5. Adhesive tape
Using duct tape to trap sewer flies is an extremely simple way. All you need is a piece of tape bought at the grocery store, put some fruit peels or leftovers on it, the flies will swoop in on their own.
How to kill drain flies with drain unclogging solution
Since sewer flies often live in drains, convenient drain cleaners (1) can effectively kill eggs and drain flies in addition to cleaning pipes. When using these products, always read the instructions and do not mix them together to avoid ineffectiveness.
1. EcoSock : This powerful USA made drain cleaner is safe to go down drains, septic systems and even sewage systems. It is almost as if the flies and fly eggs on the pipe have no chance of surviving when the EcoSock powder passes through.
2. EcoClean FOG : This liquid grease-eating microorganism is ideal for decomposing and eliminating drain flies’ food sources. Fats, grease and organic matter accumulated in the pipeline are thoroughly decomposed for a long time.
3. EcoClean Septic : Probiotics help in the decomposition of waste in the septic tank, preventing the habitat of flies.
How to prevent sewer flies from coming back
Sewage flies often find stagnant places containing organic matter and garbage. Therefore, the way to prevent sewer flies from returning is nothing better than keeping your sewer system clear. If your drain is blocked, don’t be afraid to buy a convenient unclogging product (1) or call a plumber to deal with it as soon as possible.
Besides, it is very important to clean the toilet regularly and keep it dry. Don’t forget to never leave a dirty mop in a bucket of water.
