Drain Flies Pest Control: Plumber Or Exterminator?
Drain flies are basically the tiny flying bugs which hang around your sink or drains. They are also known as sink flies or sewer gnats, and can be an extremely irritating problem in homes. The reason why these flies are attracted to drains is because of food debris which is present in your drain pipes. While they are harmless and do not carry diseases most people would prefer their absence. But how do you implement drain flies pest control? What do you need to know about these pests and how do you get rid of them?
The facts about drain flies pest control
Another question that people often have about drain flies pest control is this: do you need a plumber or exterminator to get rid of these bugs. This is a good question because it does seem as if this is a problem better suited for a plumber.
The reason why is simple. Drain flies often breed deep within the pipes leading out of your sinks and are stubborn pests to treat. In this case you may need someone who can actually take apart your plumbing and clean the system of food debris. There may also be other organic matter and this will have to be cleaned as well.
Before you do this you need to ascertain the actual source of the flies. You need to also find out if you actually have a drain flies pest control problem. You see, the issue with these flies is that they are tiny, and look almost like fruit flies. You do not want to make the mistake of confusing these species, and taking apart your plumbing for no reason.
To ascertain if you’re actually dealing with a drain flies pest control problem, start by thoroughly scrubbing your drain area. Try to get it as clean as possible and remove all food waste. It also helps to pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. Next, dry the drain area and place sticky tape over it.
Leave this overnight or longer if possible. Best results will come from leaving the tape for several days. If you do have drain flies, you will wake up in the morning to find bugs stuck to the tape. Just note that, depending on the flies breeding cycle, it may take more than one night to perform this test.
What can be done about drain flies?
So what should you do if have a drain flies pest control issue in your kitchen. There are several options. To start with you can clean your drains with cleaning solutions. This solutions are specially formulated to dissolve organic matter and clean out your drain. You can also create a trap for the flies by mixing white vinegar and dish soap. The vinegar attracts the flies, but after landing they get stuck to the dish soap and cannot escape.
If this doesn’t work then you may have to deep clean the pipes. In this case your best bet is to call a plumber, especially if you own a business. If you don’t want to do that then you’ll need to clean the pipes yourself. Start by pouring boiling water down the drain, followed by a drain cleaning solution. Then stick a pipe brush down your drain and scrub vigorously. If you have access to a plumbing snake that will also help. The final step of drain flies pest control is to plunge the sink. This will help to get rid of any food which may be left behind.