No homeowner wants a pest infestation in any part of their home, and there are a few rare situations where improper care of your plumbing system may lead to this. An example of this that some homeowners have dealt with is the presence of drain flies or fruit flies.
At City Creek Plumbing, we’re happy to offer the very best kitchen plumbing, bathroom plumbing and all other home plumbing services you might require in Kaysville or any nearby area. We’ve helped many clients keep pests away from any part of their plumbing system or overall home, including drain and fruit flies. How do these flies compare and differ, and how can you prevent both from becoming a problem? Here’s a primer.
Drain Flies
As their name indicates, drain flies are those that are commonly found near drains and in moist environments. They are attracted to the organic matter that builds up in drains, so if you have a fly problem and your drains aren’t cleaned regularly, this is likely the root of the issue.
You can usually tell when you have drain flies because they are very small (about 1/8 inch long) and their wings are a light gray color. They also tend to swarm around drains and can be difficult to get rid of.
Fruit Flies
While it’s absolutely true that fruit flies prefer unrefrigerated produce, particularly fruits and some vegetables, it’s important to note that they can still show up in some cases even if these items aren’t present. For instance, fruit flies will absolutely lay eggs in the garbage disposal, in empty bottles laying around and even in sink drains.
Fruit flies are about the size of a grain of rice and have red eyes. They’re also very fast and can be hard to catch.
One of the best ways to prevent fruit flies – and any other pests for that matter – is to keep your home clean. This means wiping down counters, taking the garbage out regularly, cleaning the dishwasher and washing machine filters and more. It’s also important to properly store any food that you don’t want flies to get into.
At-Home Remedies
If you already have a buildup of one of these fly types in your home, in many cases a simple at-home remedy can take care of the problem. For drain flies, try pouring a cup of boiling water down the drain and then follow up with a cup of vinegar. This will help to break up the organic matter that is attracting the flies.
For fruit flies, one easy solution is to fill a small jar with apple cider vinegar and then cover it with plastic wrap. Poke a few small holes in the top of the wrap and set the jar where you’re seeing fruit flies. They will fly in, get trapped and eventually die.
Professional Help
If you’re struggling to take care of an infestation on your own, don’t hesitate to call in a professional. City Creek Plumbing is here to help and we have the know-how and experience to take care of any pest problem you may be having. Give us a call today, whether for these needs or any other plumbing services in Kaysville or surrounding areas.