Skip to content
Close
We'll get rid of whatever's bugging you. Guaranteed. Get A Free Estimate
800-227-2214
Menu Close

Drain Flies

We’ll get rid of
whatever’s bugging you.
Guaranteed.

ADAM’S TAKES CARE OF DRAIN FLIES AND THEIR BREEDING GROUNDS.

Drain flies, also known as moth flies, are often found on the walls of bathrooms, kitchens, or in the basement, near plumbing fixtures, and on the sides of showers and tubs. Larvae usually develop in and feed on the gelatinous film (slime) that can build up inside drains, thus the common name of “drain flies”.

Known Issues

  • Contaminates Food
  • Structure Invading

Active Seasons

  • Summer

Drain Flies Treatment Options

One-time Small Flies Control

Adam’s one-time small fly service controls common small fly species, including drain flies, fruit flies, phorid flies, and fungus gnats. Adam’s licensed and highly trained technician will thoroughly inspect the interior and exterior in order to fully assess the situation and to locate the flies’ breeding source. The technician will then apply and EPA-proven residual insecticide to the flies’ resting, breeding, and entry areas. Service is warranted for1 month from date of service, providing the pest source is located and addressed.

Prevention Fly Services

Adam’s Prevention Fly Service provides year-round control of common flies, focusing around the exterior of the structure along with interior kitchen and garbage areas. The service includes a minimum of 8 regularly scheduled treatments, twice per month June through September. Adam’s applies an EPA-proven residual spot treatments around garbage areas, cracks in windows and door frames, plumbing lines, baseboards, wall voids, floors, floor drains, and other vulnerable areas; and places fly baits as needed, especially in interior garbage areas and utility rooms. Insect Light Traps (ILTs) are placed as needed and routinely cleaned to ensure maximum attraction and efficacy. The exterior service focuses on areas near entrances, windows, eaves, overhangs, and exterior dumpsters.

More About Drain Flies

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE DRAIN FLIES?

  • Adult drain flies are not strong fliers and typically can be seen resting on the walls in bathrooms or near the drain that is their breeding area.
  • Drain flies become a nuisance when there is a large infestation.

WHAT DO DRAIN FLIES, OR MOTH FLIES, LOOK LIKE?

  • Adult drain flies are small; about 1/16” to ¼” in length.
  • Drain flies are yellow to brown to black.
  • Mature drain flies have six legs, a pair of wings, and prominent antennae.
  • The key identifying characteristics of the drain fly are the unique pattern of veins, as well as their hairy appearance.
  • Drain flies hold their wings over their bodies like a roof when resting.
  • If crushed, drain flies leave a powdery smudge.
  • People rarely see drain fly larvae since they live in the slime on the inside of drains.
  • Larvae are tiny about 1/8” to 3/8” in length.
  • Drain fly larvae do not have eyes or legs.
  • Drain fly larvae have a dark breathing tube at one end which they can extend out of the slime in order to breathe.

ARE DRAIN FLIES DANGEROUS?

  • No, drain flies do not bite.
  • Although drain flies are associated with filthy habitats, such as drains, there is little evidence that they are disease vectors.
  • However, in areas heavily infested with drain flies, people may be vulnerable to develop bronchial asthma from breathing in dust and body parts from dead drain flies.

WHY ARE DRAIN FLIES IN MY HOUSE?

  • Adult drain flies are often found adhering to the walls of bathrooms, kitchens, or basements.
  • Drain flies rest during daylight hours on walls near drains, near plumbing fixtures, and on the sides of showers and tubs.
  • Drain flies are attracted to light and become more active at night and hovering over drains, sinks and other breeding areas.
  • Drain flies also can breed in protected locations with constantly moist and decaying organic materials, such as under dripping pipes, leaky roofs, and refrigeration equipment.
  • Drain fly larvae may also breed in large numbers at sewage filter plants.

WHAT DO DRAIN FLIES EAT?

  • Drain fly larvae usually develop in and feed on the gelatinous film (slime) that can build up inside drains, thus the common name of “drain flies”.
  • Adult drain flies feed on flower nectar and polluted water.

WHAT IS THE LIFECYCLE OF DRAIN FLIES?

  • Drain flies go through a complete metamorphosis, which has four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult.
  • Each gravid female lays a mass of about 30 to 100 eggs in the moist, decomposing organic materials along the inside of drains.
  • Eggs hatch within 32 to 48 hours at 70 °F.
  • Larvae mature in 9 to 15 days feeding on the decaying organic matter, microorganisms, and algae.
  • Pupae occur in or on the surface of the breeding media and, after 20 to 40 hours, new adults emerge.
  • The life cycle can be completed in one to three weeks.
  • Adults live about two weeks.