Drain Flies in Channel Islands

Drain flies are a widespread pest insect in the UK. Drain flies lay their eggs in drains, sewers and other standing water. They can breed very quickly, which means if you see a handful of adult flies there is probably many more eggs. Adult flies will fly out of drains and ordinarily die quickly, but they can become a nuisance inside houses. They don’t tend to spread diseases but could contaminate food.

Drain flies can be identified by their tiny size and dark colour. They are covered in hair which gives them a fluffy look, and in addition they have large wings that they fold above themselves when not in use. Drain flies can be easily confused with fruit flies or other species of flies. Accurate identification and location is critical to an effective treatment.

If you suspect you have a drain fly infestation, you can test drains by half covering them with a bit of tape. Leave this for around four days. If you find flies caught on the tape then the drain is infested. The most effective way to control a drain fly infestation is to eradicate their breeding areas. They prefer to breed on organic matter that’s caught in clogged drains, and so comprehensive cleaning of drains is a successful way to remove drain flies. However, proper cleaning of pipes can be very unpleasant. Expert pest control companies can identify and locate a drain fly infestation and perform a successful treatment to control the pests.