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Drain fly against a white background - Keep drain flies out of your home with City Termite & Pest Control in Malvern, AR

Drain Fly

Actual Size: 1.5 to 5 mm

Characteristics: Small; short, hairy bodies and wings, giving them a furry appearance.

Legs: 6

Wings: Yes

Antennae: Yes

Habitat: Live and breed near standing water in drains, septic tanks, compost, and more.

Habits:

  • May appear suddenly from sinks and bathtub drains.
  • Get their name from the fact that they often breed in drains.
  • Being tiny flies, they can easily crawl through normal fly screens.


Drain Flies in Central Arkansas

Drain flies, also called moth flies, belong to the family Psychodidae and get their name because they often breed in drains. These flies can be found throughout the United States and are frustrating to people in homes as they can appear suddenly from bathtub drains and sinks. They can breed in massive numbers in sewage treatment centers, but can then be transferred to nearby buildings through the wind blowing them. Once in a new location, they can enter into other buildings through ordinary fly screens.

Drain Fly Habitat

Drain flies develop in muck or gelatinous material that accumulates in sewage disposal beds, septic tanks, moist compost, or dirty garbage containers. Other places they emerge from include the drains of bathtubs or sinks, rain barrels, tree holes, moist organic solids, or bird nests that have accumulations of fecal material. Moisture or standing water is the space where drain flies will gather, mate, and lay their eggs. Since sewers and drains create a slimy film, drain flies are primarily attracted to those areas. When inside a building, drain flies are strongly attracted to light and can be found around indoor lighting, doors, lamps, and glass windows.

Drain Fly Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Drain flies do not bite people or animals or do damage to structures or plants. Their attraction to filthy sources does compromise their sanitation and introduce the potential of being vectors of disease. Populations of these insects can become a nuisance in homes, and their presence is almost always linked to a clogged drain. In homes, bathroom drains are one of the most common breeding sites. They are often found crawling on walls and surfaces as they are weak at flying.

If you are dealing with a drain fly problem in your property, contact your local fly exterminators.