Are you seeing tiny, moth-like insects buzzing around your drains and have been a nuisance in your space for quite some time? You may be dealing with drain flies.
Not only that they are annoying but also pose hygiene issues if you neglect this concern. We will walk you through what you need to know about drain flies in Singapore.
Knowing About Drain Flies
Drain flies are a common household pest that are found in areas with drains or pipes. They are very small, around sixth to a quarter inch long, and have small, hairy bodies.
Drain flies have a fuzzy appearance and when they are at rest, their wings sit over the body imitating a roof for protection. You can spot them resting on walls or ceilings or making short, hopping flights to a different site if disturbed.
They seem to appear out of nowhere. Aside from drains and pipes, you may spot them in bathrooms, kitchens, commercial washrooms & locker rooms, and agri-facilities. They breed in dirty trash bins, plant saucers, condensate pans under fridges & freezers, toilet tanks, etc.
Drain flies complete their life cycle in 21-27 days. Females lay their eggs in a damp place like the drain, which hatch in two days time turning into larvae.
Drain Flies vs. Fruit Flies
The main difference lies in what they are attracted to. Fruit flies are commonly found in kitchens because they are attracted to the smell of ripe fruits, fermented products, and rotting vegetables.
Drain flies, on the other hand, require high moisture levels and feed on fungi, bacteria and organic matter found inside drains.
Identifying a Drain Fly Infestation
You want to easily know if your home is infested by drain flies? Look for these signs.
- The presence of small flies – If you happen to see some flies that are about 2-3 mm long and have a moth-like appearance, they might be drain flies.
- Resting on walls – During the day, you will often find them resting on walls as they aren’t strong fliers.
- Night activity – They become more active at night and will gather around light sources like lampshades.
- Near drains – Since they breed in stagnant water, you can find them near sinks, bathtubs, and showers.
- Frequent sightings – If you observed that the number of flies are increasing, it’s a clear sign of an infestation.
These signs warrant checking for and addressing possible sources of stagnant water or decaying organic matter.
Getting Rid of Drain Flies
With careful attention and consistent effort with cleaning, your drain fly issues can be fixed within about a week or two. Here are some ways to eliminate them.
- Start with cleaning the sink and the drain with your usual cleaning solution. Scrub around and inside the drain with a pipe brush.
- A simple fix is pouring boiling down the drain. Bring a medium-size pot of water to boil, either once or twice a week.
- Another DIY option is baking soda, if boiling water doesn’t do the trick. Mix a half cup salt with half cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar. Now pour the mixture down the drain. Let it sit overnight, and complete the task by pouring another pot of boiling water in the morning.
- For a more serious solution, you can just purchase a drain cleaner to easily clear out the drain and pipes, making it impossible for drain flies to breed.
- Make an apple cider vinegar trap by pouring about half an inch of the vinegar into a bowl and adding a few drops of liquid dish soap.
Professional Pest Control Services
Like any other professional pest control and treatment, pest control services start by tackling the problem at the root. They look for the source of infestation. Is it the drains? Pipes? Or are there areas with still water?
Upon learning the source, they clean out the identified sites and will remove all organic matter where drain flies can possibly lay their eggs. Then they sanitise the affected areas to ensure that no larvae and eggs were missed out.
If they are dealing with adult flies and larvae, pest control services use targeted insecticides to kill them. In response to the possibility of reinfestation, they may apply residual sprays.
Their service doesn’t end here. Pest control companies offer follow-up inspections to confirm if the infestation is fully eradicated. They can also give you pieces of advice on preventive measures, such as reminders of cleaning the drains regularly and checking for/fixing leaks.
Preventing Drain Fly Infestations
If the pest professionals have done their job of exterminating the drain flies, prevent them from coming back by keeping your home consistently clean.
- Find plumbing leaks if there’s any and fix them. Make sure the drains are not clogged.
- Review all recently installed water-related appliances.
- Use enzymatic/microbial cleaners in cleaning the drains. Do it regularly.
- Make sure there are no food particles or organic debris in the drains.
- Cover sink and shower drains when not in use.
- Dispose your trash daily.
- Discard decaying food immediately.
- Identify if there’s stagnant water nearby and mould, and get rid of them.
- Keep your bathrooms clean all the time.
Impact of Drain Flies on Businesses
Drain flies themselves are not known to carry diseases like other pests, but their presence in a business establishment indicates that the commercial space has an unsanitary condition, damaging the reputation of the establishment because they drive customers away.
Health authorities may also impose fines, or worse, temporary closures if they find out that an infestation wasn’t addressed. Businesses would also need to allot a budget for engaging pest control services and additional cleaning measures to address the infestation.
These are enough reasons to convince you that if you own or manage a business, consider the sanitation and the possibility of an infestation in your establishment. Uproot the problem before it grows big and uncontrollable.
Conclusion
Don’t take the presence of drain flies lightly. They can be as annoying and uncomfortable like other pesky creatures infesting personal and commercial spaces.
Avalon Services takes the burden off the shoulders of homeowners and business owners by taking charge of fully exterminating all pest concerns they might have.
If you’re looking for a pest control company in Singapore to get rid of drain flies, contact us now so we can set up an appointment and get the job done right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the reason why our house/business has drain flies?
- It is likely that you have poor sewage drainage or overflows. These are exactly the conditions that make a breeding ground for drain flies.
I’ve killed some adult drain flies, is this enough to make them go away for good?
- No, this is just a short-term relief. You didn’t address the root cause of this pest problem. The very first step in eliminating them is to locate and treat their breeding source. Infestations last up to 20 days, and they can reproduce quickly. If handling them is too much for you, Avalon Services is here to help.
Are drain flies harmful to humans?
- They are not known to bite or transmit diseases to humans, but in some cases, they can trigger bronchial asthma and their larvae can cause a parasitic infestation called myiasis.
Do I really need professional help to get rid of drain flies?
- Professional help is often the best way to eliminate drain flies, especially if you are dealing with severe infestations. Pest control companies also prevent future infestations and address underlying issues with your plumbing/drainage system that might be contributing to the problem.
