Drain Fly Control: How To Get Rid of Drain Flies

This page is a general Drain Fly control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of Drain Flies. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of Drain Flies.

Drain Flies, also known as sewer flies, are a filth fly attracted to organic matter that accumulates in drains and are a common issue in both homes and places of business, particularly around the kitchen sink.

Drain Flies lay their eggs on decomposing organic matter. This usually means the organic waste that gathers inside drains, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. This organic matter is used as both a food source and a breeding ground, which explains their affinity for hanging around drains and sink areas.

Drain flies have the ability to transfer pathogens that can create a number of diseases that can affect humans. They are also nuisance pests that can invade kitchens and bathrooms in large numbers if left untreated.

If you are dealing with Drain Flies in your home, we can help. The following DIY guide will show you how to get rid of Drain Flies using the expert techniques professional-grade products necessary for effective control.

Identification

Before you can treat for Drain Flies, you first need to make sure you're dealing with Drain Flies in the first place. Drain Flies can be identified by the following traits.

• Drain Flies are small flies that are grayish-brown or tan in color. and measure about 1/8 of an inch.
• Drain Flies can be easily detected due to their weak flying ability, the vein pattern that appears on their wings and the moth-like fuzz that appears all over their body. 
• They are commonly seen flying inside and near drains.

Use the image and description above to help you in properly identifying Drain Flies in your home. If you need help with identification, you can call us and one of our representatives will help you with properly identifying the pest you have and provide recommendations for control.

Inspection

Once you have properly identified and confirmed that you are encountering Drain Flies, you can then proceed with an inspection to find out where they are coming from or are attracted to. During the inspection, you will search for "hotspots" where Drain Flies are found.

Where To Inspect

Since most infestations occur indoors, inspect inside. As their name states, Drain Flies are usually found near drains. Inspect your kitchen, bathrooms, or utility room and search in all the drains located in these areas. Shower drains, sink drains, floor drains, and any other drain in your property.

What To Look For

You should be looking for the presence of Drain Flies or Drain Fly activity. Drain Flies can appear at any time, but if you noticed them in a room with a drain, there is a high probability that the drain will need to be treated.

You should also check for larvae in your drains, which are Drain Fly eggs that have been recently hatched. Using a small knife, scrape the sides of the drain you are inspecting and then pull the knife out to see if there are any larvae moving around on the scum. If there are, dispose of it in the trash immediately and take the garbage out.

If you have spotted them around your home or property, but don't know from what drain they are coming from, it is best to treat every drain in the structure. Once you have identified the drains where Drain Flies are active, you can proceed with treatment.

Treatment 

Once you have confirmed Drain Fly activity, you can begin treatment. Remember to read all product labels, and follow the application instructions on these labels and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

For effective drain fly treatment, use three products: Forid Drain Gel Cleaner, Gentrol IGR Aerosol, and Pyrid.

Forid is an organic microbial grease degrader that breaks down organic material and waste, which will eliminate their food sources and their breeding grounds.

Gentrol IGR Aerosol is an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) that will affect the undeveloped stages of Drain Flies in the drains, preventing pupal-staged molting and eventually killing them before they become adults.

Pyrid will be used as a contact spray to quickly knock down any Drain Fly hanging out in your property.

Step 1 - Apply Forid Drain Gel Cleaner

Forid is an easy-to-use product that you simply pour down drains to clear out all the organic matter that has accumulated along the sides of the drain. Start by moistening the drain with running tap water. After about 10 minutes, measure 4 ounces of Forid on the tip-and-pour bottle and apply the measured amount to each drain needing treatment.

Make sure to pour around the edges of the drains and not straight down. Repeat this process every 5 to 7 nights until there is no more Drain Fly activity.

Step 2 - Gentrol IGR Aerosol

Gentrol IGR Aerosol is an Insect Growth Regulator that interferes with the developmental process of flies. This will target the pupal-staged flies, making them unable to molt which will lead to death.

Gentrol comes in an aerosol can for easy application. Simply inject the tube straw and apply directly into the drains, attempting to coat the sides of the drains. Spray until a light foam is seen. Allow the foam to dissipate and dry.

Step 3 - Pyrid Aerosol

Pyrid is an easy-to-use pyrethroid aerosol spray. All you have to do is point and spray any straggler Drain Flies that remain in the area. Use this product as a contact spray for quick kills of any Drain Fly you manage to find.  Hold the spray can 18 to 24 inches away from the target area. Straggle Drain Flies may rest on walls or ceiling corners so focus your application in these areas.

Be sure to cover any utensils, dishes, food, water, cooking surfaces, or surfaces that food can come into contact with before applying. Keep all people and pets away from the treated area until vapors have dispersed.

Prevention

After Drain Flies have been eliminated, you will need to carry out preventative measures to ensure they don't make a return.

• Make sure to apply Forid to your drains as soon as you noticed they are taking longer to drain out the water, this usually means there is a build-up of scum and organic waste, which sooner or later will attract Drain Flies.
• Make sure the garbage disposal is used regularly and the trash can is taken out on time and cleaned up properly.
• The kitchen sink should be clean and plates should not be left un-washed on the table or sinks. 
• Cracks on kitchen tiles and the spouts of tub and sink pipes should remain clean as drain flies like to lay their eggs in such areas.
• Also, you can install screens in your drains, especially if they are rarely used, to prevent Drain Flies from even coming in contact with the drain.

Key Takeaways

What are Drain Flies?

• Drain Flies are a fly species that frequent drains and kitchen sinks due to their attraction to accumulated organic matter which they use for food and to breed.
• Drain Flies are regarded as filth flies and can be identified by their fuzzy appearance and weak flying skills.

How To Get Rid of Drain Flies In Your Home

• To treat for Drain Flies, you will need Forid Drain Gel Cleaner to break down the organic matter in drains and apply an Insect Growth Regulator to disrupt the reproductive process of the flies.
• Use an insect growth regulator, like Gentrol Aerosol, in drains to prevent young Drain Flies from maturing into adults. This will effectively disrupt the fly life cycle for long-term control.
• Use Pyrid Aerosol to directly knockdown Drain Flies found flying around indoors.

Preventing Drain Fly Reinfestation

• Prevent future infestations of Drain Flies by making sure to regularly clean your drains with repeat applications Forid Drain Gel Cleaner.
• Keep your kitchen area clean in general and do your best not to let food and waste accumulate in the drains by using the garbage disposal regularly.