Drain Flies
Drain flies breed in organic slime inside plumbing lines and appear as fuzzy moth-like insects.
Background & Behavior
(Psychodidae) Commonly called moth flies, these tiny, fuzzy insects breed in the organic slime that accumulates inside drains and pipes. They gather near sinks, showers, and basement drains, often appearing in bathrooms. While they don’t bite or spread disease, they indicate plumbing buildup or standing water. Cleaning and disinfecting drains usually eliminates them.
DIY Approaches
- Scrub drain interiors with a stiff brush and boiling water weekly.
- Pour baking soda followed by vinegar down problem drains to break down slime.
- Keep rarely used drains filled with water traps to prevent stagnation.
- Use enzymatic drain cleaners to digest organic buildup safely.
- Cover drains overnight with tape to monitor emerging adult flies.
Professional Services
- Schedule drain line jetting to remove heavy biofilm inside pipes.
- Request commercial foaming biocides applied by plumbing-pest specialists.
- Have restaurants add monthly drain maintenance contracts.
- Coordinate camera inspections to locate hidden leaks feeding larvae.
- Engage facilities teams to replace damaged drain components that hold sludge.
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