How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in the Drain

We’ve almost all experienced it. We’re doing dishes, or making dinner and we see something buzzing. Whether they’re buzzing around our heads or sitting in a bowl of fruit, they’re a huge nuisance.

Fruit flies seem to come from nowhere, and before you know it, they’re everywhere. If you’ve been dealing with these pests for some time, you probably noticed them gathering around your drain. Why? Where do they come from? Why do they like the drain so much?

Most importantly, how do you get rid of them? Let’s take a look at what you need to know about those irksome fruit flies in your drain.

Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?

Fruit fly infestations have a number of causes, and many of them don’t have anything to do with how clean you keep your home. They can hitch a ride on produce from the supermarket. They can hide in plants and flowers you bring into the home. They can even sneak in through screen doors and windows because of their small size.

Why Do Fruit Flies End Up in the Drain?

The thing fruit flies love the most is, well, fruit. They adore the sugar that seeps out of rotting fruit. That’s why they often gather around your trash. What they love second most is damp, dark places. What fits the bill? Your kitchen sink drain, or any other drain for that matter. In fact, fruit fly infestations are one of the most common drain issues.

Drains are like a dream home to a fruit fly. It’s dark and wet and full of food residue. This is especially true if you have a clog or plumbing issue. It’s particularly dark and dank when the sink is stopped.

Why do they need a dark place to hang out? To lay their eggs, which they do in batches of over 500 at a time. Once the larvae hatch, they do the same thing as their parents — they eat your food and infest your kitchen.

How Can You Get Rid Of Fruit Flies?

Fruit flies are like ants – once they’ve taken over, it seems impossible to get rid of them. But there are some simple tricks you can try to give them the boot:

• Keep your sink drains clean and free of old food and debris
• Create traps using apple cider vinegar, water, and dish soap
• Leave out an almost-empty bottle of soda or beer to trap them
• Throw away old fruit and vegetables that attract flies
• Store produce in the refrigerator
• Wash produce as soon as you bring it home to remove larvae that might be present
• Take out the garbage frequently

Many of these tips can also help you avoid stinky drains. So keep up the regular cleaning to prevent nasty smells and fruit fly infestations.

What If Your Drains Are the Problem?

For fruit flies, your kitchen drains are the perfect place to hide, lay eggs, and multiply. The first thing to do is keep your drains clean and cover them at night to keep fruit flies out and prevent breeding and egg laying. Be sure to check out how to clean a stinky drain for more on keeping your drains clean.

If you get a drain clog, a quick fix is crucial to keeping the flies at bay. What do you do if you have a clogged drain? Contact the courteous plumbing professionals at Mr. Rooter online, or by calling for professional drain cleaning service. With our upfront pricing and experience, you can count on, you’ll rest easy knowing your drains are clear and the fruit flies are long gone.