Mythbusters: Drain Flies Edition

Most everyone has had the displeasure of finding drain flies in their home at least once. How much do you really know about these tiny pests?

Drain flies are small but hugely unpleasant and surprisingly difficult to eradicate once they take hold. Here are some myths about drain flies that will help you understand more about these pests.

Drain Flies and Fruit Flies Are The Same Thing

Nope, not true. Drain flies and fruit flies are similar in some ways but distinctly different species. Drain flies are only about 1/16th of an inch, gray to black and fuzzy. Close up, they look more like moths than flies. Fruit flies, however, are about double the size of drain flies (which is still tiny, but not quite as tiny), are tan or brown and look more like a housefly.

As their name clearly implies, fruit flies tend to be drawn more to rotten fruit and trash while drain flies are enticed by buildup in drains.

Drain Flies and Gnats Are The Same Thing

Also not true. The common type of household gnats are about the same size as drain flies, though some can grow to be about a 1/2 inch big. They can be black, gray or brown, have delicate wings, and look more like a mosquito than a fly or moth.

Most notably, gnats tend to be drawn to overwatered houseplants, decaying organic matter on soil, or trash cans.

Drain Flies Are Dangerous

Fortunately, not really. Drain flies, while annoying, do not present a direct risk to humans or pets. They don't bite or sting. They do present a small risk of spreading bacterial disease from dirty build-up to clean surfaces or food.

Getting Drain Flies Doesn't Indicate A Problem

While this might be true in some instances, often an infestation of drain flies indicates a problem, such as plumbing issues or broken pipes. It could be that you just need to clean your drains, especially those that go unused for longer periods of time or have more organic waste that might be building up inside. However, if you find yourself inundated with drain flies, you might want to take the time to check your pipes and plumbing to rule out larger and more costly issues.

"An ongoing or recurring infestation, despite careful sanitation of all drains, can indicate a broken pipe or leak under a slab or in a crawlspace beneath the home." – University of Arkansas Research and Extension

Drain Flies Are Hard To Get Rid Of

This one is, unfortunately, true. Drain flies are extremely difficult to control once a population takes hold. They breed inside the pipes where organic sludge tends to form and larvae are resistant to direct application of hot water or chemicals. While the adults are easily killed, life cycles are hard to break due to the necessity of physically removing the breeding sources. Deep cleaning is required, consistently, for almost a month to eradicate the infestation.

We can help; call us any time!

To learn even more about local Virginia pests, check out our pest library and other blog posts