Drain flies

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Identification

  • Colour Brown, grey, or black
  • Size From 1.5 mm to 5 mm long
  • Also known as Moth flies
  • Description Small moth-like insects with broad, fuzzy wings that are covered with small hairs. Their larvae, known as maggots, are legless, 3.5 mm to 10 mm long, pale in the middle and darker in colour on the ends.
  • Notes They are weak fliers and are often seen walking.

Habitat, Behaviour, Lifecycle

Habitat and Behaviour

These flies are not particularly adept at flying long distances, instead they will choose to “jump” or fly short distances. If you find drain in a particular room, there’s a very good chance that the source or breeding area is nearby.

Drain flies feed on decomposing organic matter and sewage. Typical breeding sites include clogged and greasy drain pipes in kitchens and bathrooms, storm drains, moist compost, and septic tanks. Female drain flies deposit anywhere from 30 to 100 eggs on the surface of the breeding medium. The larvae and pupae thrive deep within the gelatinous film and extend breathing tubes to the surface. Drain fly eggs can mature to adults in 7 to 28 days.

Life Cycle

Drain flies, also known as moth flies or sewer flies, are small, hairy, moth-like insects measuring 2 to 5 millimetres long depending on the species. They are weak fliers and are often seen walking near breeding sites. Females lay 30 to 100 eggs in masses on the surface of breeding medium. Drain flies are known for laying eggs in wet organic matter such as the build up that can be found in poorly maintained drains, wet manure, sewage, and compost piles. Depending on temperature, the eggs hatch in 30 to 48 hours. The larvae, also known as maggots, are legless, 3.5 to 10 mm long, pale in the middle and darker in colour on the ends.

The larval stage of drain flies lasts up to 24 days, while the pupal stage lasts between 1 and 2 days at most. The larvae feed on bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that develop in the breeding medium in drains, standing water, and even sewage treatment beds. When food sources become scarce, drain fly larvae may become cannibalistic. Adult drain flies usually live up to two weeks as long as a liquid food source, such as nectar, is available. A large amount of flies in the home typically indicates a problem with poor sewage drainage or overflows, which can become a continuous breeding ground. If you notice a large population of drain flies, contact a pest control professional to handle the infestation.

Why do I have drain flies

Drain flies, also known as moth flies, sewage flies, and filter flies, like to lay their eggs in wet organic matter. Organic matter can typically be found in clogged and greasy drain pipes in kitchens and bathrooms, storm drains, moist compost, and septic tanks.

Adult drain flies feed on decomposing organic matter and sewage. Their larvae feed on bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that develop in drains, standing water, and even sewage treatment beds. If food runs out, drain fly larvae may eat each other.

How worried should I be about drain flies

Drain flies are not known to bite or transmit any diseases to humans. However they can trigger bronchial asthma in susceptible individuals and their larvae can cause myiasis, a parasitic infestation in which the larvae grow inside human tissue.

Unfortunately, female drain flies deposit anywhere from 30 to 100 eggs, so an untreated infestation will eventually lead to hundreds of flies in your home or business.

Home remedies, such as pouring boiling hot water or bleach on drain flies, do not solve the problem. Without the removal of clogs and appropriate cleaning of the pipes, adult flies will repopulate in the very same drain.

To effectively eradicate a drain fly infestation for good, you need the help of a professional pest control service, that can ensure all unsanitary conditions and potential breedings and feeding grounds are properly eliminated.

How can I prevent drain flies invading

Clean toilets, sinks, bathtubs, shower and floor drains, Remove rotting produce immediately, Move dumpsters as far away as possible, Areas must be kept as dry as possible, Repair broken or loose ceramic floor tiles, Install fans at entrance points, Fix leaks and remedy condensation, Eliminate standing water and mold

Do drain flies bite

Drain flies, also known as moth flies and sewer flies, do not bite humans. Compared to other fly species in Canada, drain flies are relatively harmless.

While drain flies are not considered as threats for disease transmission, they are known bronchial asthma in susceptible individuals. The maggots (larvae) of some drain fly species can cause myiasis, a parasitic infestation.

Although their breeding behaviour makes them potential carriers of disease causing pathogens, drain flies are not known to transmit such pathogens to humans. Large infestations of drain flies are unsightly and often prove to be difficult to eradicate without professional assistance.

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