If a swarm of tiny flies suddenly emerges from the sink, bathtub, or shower, chances are your home has been attacked by sewage flies. Waste flies (drain fly/moth fly) live and breed in organic matter trapped in wet waterways. Therefore, getting rid of these nuisance pests is usually as easy as cleaning all kinds of dirt in the pipes. A full cleanup has to resort to a trick, and before you know it, the waste flies will be alive and well.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Identifying the Problem
Step 1. Identify the problem area
Check all the drains in your home as well as any areas inside and outside the house that contain water (waste). Any area with a lot of waste flies is most likely a problem.
Luckily, waste flies do not roam far from the place they have chosen as a home, so it is rare for waste fly infestations to spread throughout the house. This is especially true if you understand the issue early
Step 2. Dry all areas around the drain before you go to bed
This is the first thing you should do to prove that the problem is coming from the channel.
It's possible that your home has been invaded by other types of flies that have come because of rotting fruit or other food sources. In conclusion, you must prove that there are indeed sewage flies in the drains, before taking action to get rid of them
Step 3. Attach a piece of transparent adhesive tape over each channel
Adhere the adhesive tape to the center of each channel with the adhesive side facing down.
Do not completely seal the duct with adhesive tape. The closed duct will keep the flies from flying upwards and leave you without a trace
Step 4. Check the adhesive tape in the morning, after a few days
If you find flies sticking to the adhesive tape after you remove them from the drain, it's very likely that waste flies are a nuisance.
Even if you don't find a single waste fly sticking to the adhesive tape, you should repeat this step for at least four nights to note any discrepancies in the breeding cycle
Part 2 of 4: Destroying Flies Breeding Places
Step 1. Clean the hair catcher, if you can
Remove the hair catcher or filter from the drain in the shower area and clean it thoroughly by removing any hairs caught in it.
The key to destroying breeding grounds for flies is to remove all hair, dirt, and waste/food debris that would allow flies to lay their eggs
Step 2. Wet the drain if necessary
Pour 4 to 8 liters of warm water into the drain to slightly wet it.
Note that this method is only necessary if the water line is not used regularly. The drains that are used daily are wet enough without you having to take any additional action
Step 3. Use a metal pipe cleaning brush
Insert the metal pipe cleaning brush into the drain, extending the brush as far into the drain as possible.
Rotate the brush while gently moving it up and down to remove dirt from the sides of the pipe
Step 4. Pick up any other debris using a long wire (like a snake) that is usually used to clean the drain
Insert the wire into the conduit and loop it around the pipe to push the accumulated dirt deep inside.
Step 5. Pour drain cleaning gel into the drain
Use about 125 ml of the cleaner, pour it around the edge of the drain.
- The cleaning spray at the edges of the drain is done to coat the sides of the channel and pipe until the liquid slides down.
- Gel cleanser formulated to clean organic matter. You can also use a bacterial or enzyme drain cleaner to remove organic matter.
- Vinegar, boiling water, and bleach are traditional remedies for getting rid of waste flies. However, experts insist that the use of such ingredients is not effective.
- The baking soda and vinegar running down the drain might kill the flies; at least the material will clean the drains.
- You may need to repeat the same dose of drain cleaner once a day for five to seven days.
Step 6. Finish cleaning with a vacuum cleaner
After the cleaning agent has been in the tub (dish sink, tub, etc.) for a few hours, rinse it thoroughly with plenty of water. Then use a vacuum cleaner, which is commonly used in draining water, to clean the remaining organic matter trapped in the tub.
Part 3 of 4: Killing Adult Waste Flies
Step 1. Use a fly swatter to kill adult waste flies
Go into the drain area and subdue as many waste flies as possible using a standard fly swatter.
While destroying the breeding grounds will prevent the flies from laying more eggs, you will still be dealing with adult waste flies for up to 20 days after you clear the canal
Step 2. Use a room sprayer
If the fly swatter isn't efficient, treat the infested area with an insect spray that will react in an enclosed space.
- Close all doors and windows in the room.
- Spray insect venom pointing upwards for 5 to 8 seconds for each 305 cubic meter area.
- Leave the sprayed space and leave covered for about 15 minutes or so.
- Open all windows and doors when you return to the room. Turn on an electric fan, if possible, to help remove any remaining spray material.
- Repeat the action once every week.
Part 4 of 4: Follow-Up
Step 1. Keep the drains/pipes clean
You should clean the drains/pipes at home at least once every month. However, if you are already having problems with waste flies, you will need to increase your cleaning to once or twice a week.
Thorough cleaning is not required. Simply pour 125 ml of drain cleaning gel into the drain and allow it to perform its continuous cleaning treatment
Step 2. Use an insect growth regulator
Spray Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) aerosol directly into the drain and along the pipeline.
