Ever been greeted by tiny, fluttery, uninvited guests in your bathroom or toilet? Yep, those are drain flies. While they might seem harmless, their presence is a polite way of saying, “Your drain needs some TLC!”.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of drain flies in Australia – let’s decode their message and see how to evict them for good.
What are Drain Flies?
Drain flies, sometimes called sewer gnats or moth flies, are tiny, fuzzy insects that can hang around your drains. They’re smaller than normal house flies, and have a moth-like appearance with their furry wings.
They thrive in the stagnant water and organic muck that can build up inside your pipes. So, if your toilet hasn’t been flushed in weeks, or if windy weather has dried out the water seal, these little pests may seize the opportunity to move right into your home.
What are they Trying to Tell You?
Drain flies are basically nature’s way of pointing out a plumbing problem. These pests love to breed, feed, and hang out in moist drains and sewers. So, if they’re hovering around, chances are you’ve got a slow or clogged drain that needs clearing.
Other Signs of a Clogged Drain
Apart from the flies themselves, which could be swarming around your bathroom, if you have a clogged drain you might notice:
- Smelly floor waste: That funky odour wafting up from the floor drain could mean the water in your toilet’s “S-bend” has evaporated, breaking the seal that keeps smells (and bugs) at bay.
- Little dark spots on walls or tiles: Drain flies love to rest here after a hard day’s work.
- Slow to drain water
- Overflows
- Gurgling noises from your drains
What to Do about Drain Flies
Unfortunately, swatting drain flies dead is only a temporary fix. Tackling their breeding ground is the key to getting rid of them for good.
- Look for their breeding site, and clear all the debris in there away. This could be your drains, sewers, garbage bins, compost, roof gutters, air conditioners, or moist plants.
- Give your drains a deep clean. Pour boiling water down to flush away debris, or whip up a simple home remedy using baking soda, salt, and vinegar. This fizzy trio helps break down the organic gunk where the flies love to lay their eggs.
- Prevent it from happening again: Keep your drains and other areas clear with regular cleaning and maintenance, and seal off any cracks or gaps where they could sneak in.
Professional Drain Cleaning in Brisbane
Over time a build-up of oils, fats, hair and foreign objects can lead to blocked drains. A DIY solution can only go so far, so when it comes to stubborn blockages or keeping drain flies away for good – nothing beats a professional drain clean.
At Nuflow Brisbane South, we recommend regular drain cleaning to reduce the risk of major problems down the track. Utilising the latest in drain camera technology, we can identify the exact location of your blockage and clean or fix it faster – no digging required!
So, if you’ve spotted drain flies, don’t panic – just take it as a sign your drains need some attention. Call in our drain cleaning experts in Brisbane southside, and you’ll have a free-flowing, fly-free bathroom in no time.
