Drain Fly Control and Treatment-Flies in the Drain

• Drain Fly Indentification
• Drain Fly Biology
• Inspecting Drain Flies
• Drain Fly Control
• Fly Control Products
• Fly Control

Also called moth flies, sewer flies or filter flies these true flies have bodies and wings covered with numerous hairs. If crushed they leave a powdery smudge

The flies are commonly found around drains, but they should not be confused with the Fruit fly, Phorid fly, or Sphaerocierid fly which also infest drains.

Just because you may see a small fly or gnat type flying around in the kitchen, do not assume it is coming from the drains. Check all possible breeding sources to help identify the fly. Using a drain cleaner like DF 5000 would only work in they are breeding in the drains.

Understanding the different breeding sources for the different flies will help you in identifying and managing the respective flies. The other flies that are found around drains are: Fruit Flies, Phorid Flies and Sphaerocierid Flies.

Breeding Sources of Drain Flies, Fruit Flies, Phorid Flies and Sphaerocerid Flies:

Drain flies: breed in drains, sewers, septic tanks and soil that has been contaminated with sewage.

Fruit flies: can be spotted around fresh fruits/vegtables, rotting fruits and vegetables, drains, garbage and damp organic materials

Phorid Flies : are found in sewage contaminated soil, garbage, drains, human cadavers, rotting vegetables and fruit, garbage as well as damp organic materials

Sphaerocerid Flies: may be found in manure, damp organic material, drains, rotting fruits and vegetables and garbage

IDENTIFICATION OF DRAIN FLIES (MOTH FLIES):

Moth flies (Drain fly) are small flies, about 1/8th inch. They are usually black, but may be brown. The key identifying trait for this fly is the unique pattern of veins in its wings.

BIOLOGY AND HABITS of A DRAIN FLY (MOTH FLY)

Moth flies (Drain Flies) develop by complete metamorphosis. The entire life cycle ranges from 8 to 24 days.

Moth flies (Drain Flies)lay eggs in a mass of 30 to 100 in a suitable medium. These eggs hatch in less than 48 hours. The eggs form the moth fly( drain fly) are laid in irregular masses in such places as dirty garbage disposal units, water traps in plumbing fixtures, sewage plant filters and almost any where decmposing organic materials are found.

The larvae and pupae of the moth fly live in the thin gelatinous film found in drains, septic tank field lines or filter stones. The larvae feed on sediment, decaying vegetation and microscopic plants and animals. The larval stage lasts from 9 to 15 days before pupating.

The pupal stage lasts from 20 to 40 hours. The newly emerged adult fly is sexually mature on emergence and copulates within the first few hours of its life.

The moth fly (drain fly) is a poor flyer and may be commonly seen ealking or running on walls and other resting surfaces. When they fly in short jerky lines, they fly for only a few feet.

During the day the moth fly (drain fly) adult rests in shaded areas or on walls near plumbing fixtures or on the sides of tubs and showers. Most of the activity of the moth fly (drain fly) occurs during the evening. They may be seen hovering around the sink areas in your home at this time.

INSPECTION TIPS FOR MOTH FLIES (DRAIN FLIES)

It is important to locate the breeding sources in order to eliminate a moth fly(drain fly)infestation.

These flies typically breed in drains, hence the common name of drain flies. This is a good place to begin inspection.

Moth fly larvae live in the moist film that develops on the sides of a drain and in the drain's trap. The presence of numerous adult flies inside a drain is a good sign that the drain is a breeding site. Use a knife or screwdriver to scrape the film off the sides of the drain and examine it for live larvae.

One way to determine if they are breeding in the drains is to use masking tape over the drain opening.

Leave space between the strips of tape to allow air movement for the flies to follow. If flies are exiting the openings, some of the them will become stuck to the tape.

Sometimes, moth flies (drain flies)can come from under slab floors from a drain pipe that has broken. They would breed in the organic debis under the slab.

Adult flies then enter the living space above the slab through cracks in the slab and back through the drain pipe. To determine if they are coming up through the slab, place the masking tape over the crack as described above.

If the suspicion is strong enough that moth flies(drain flies)are breeding under a slab, a hole must be broken through the slab to see if indeed a pipe has broken and flies are breeding there. After a hole is broken through the slab, poke around and dig in the soil under the slab. The organic debris and moist soil may actually be several inches under the surface. The presence of fly larvae and/or adults confirms the site as a breeding source.

Sump pump pits and sewers are usually found in a basement area and also prime breeding sites for moth flies,particulary in commercial buildings. The sewers and pump pits need to be checked for activity even if it is not close to where the moth have been seen flying. Also, inspect the pits of elevators in commercial buildings for excess water or moisture.

In homes, moth flies are generally found breeding in bathroom drains, particularly those in showers. Shower pans are prone to leaking and the area under the shower pan becomes a prime moth fly breeding source.

If you strongly believe that the shower is a possible source, it may be necessary to drill a hole into the area under the shower pan or the wall behind the shower. In most cases where moth flies are breeding in this area, adult flies will begin emerging from the hole within minutes. Moth flies are strongly attracted to light and will fly to the hole drilled through the wall.

Inspect crawlspace areas. Sometimes , if the drain pipe is leaking there, a breeding source is found. Look for the presence of adult flies. Spides may have dead moth flies in their webs.

Don't stop looking when one breeding source has been found. In most cases, several breeding sources will be present.

Drain flies,or moth flies, can be found in moist, highly organic debris areas such as sink drains,moist mops, sewage treatment facilities, storm drains, dung and rotten vegetation.

Drain flies may also breed in moist, shady areas outdoors such as under potted plants, in bird feeders and baths, in moss, in clogged roof gutters, under air conditioners, in thick mulch, or on wet ground areas.

In natural settings, moth fly larvae feed on decaying plants and animals. Most moth flies are harmless to humans, though they may transmit bacteria and other microorganisms from their breeding sites to areas where people are. Moth flies do not bite. Adults live about two weeks

CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS

Floor drains, overflow cuts in sinks and tubs, sump pump pits and sewers can accumulate organic matter but often do not receive enough water to flush the waste down the drain.

They may be common in laundry and floor drains, toilet and shower drains.

The drain/moth fly larvae feed on the sides of the drain and in the drain trap if there is an accumulation of organic debris there. You can check it by placing some tape over the opening (leave some opening for air flow). If you find these flies stuck to the tape , you have discovered the source.

Pouring bleach down the drain is not effective. A bacterial digester like   DF 5000   or   Invade Bio Gel may be used to break up the organic debris.

Another type of product, particulary useful in commercial establishments is a concentrated bio liquid with the use of a foamer like the Invade Bio Foam.

Invade Bio Foam contains concentrated scum eating, odor eliminating microbes and foaming agent. InVade Bio Foam - Super-concentrated foaming microbial/citrus liquid to eat through scum where flies breed.

To control the adult flies flying in the air a pyrethrum aerosol like V TECH MIST METERED AEROSOL would be helpful in spraying the adult flies.