There are few other things that are more annoying than fruit or drain flies invading your kitchen or bathroom. The pesky insects thrive on rotting foods and other organic matter found inside most drains. Drain and fruit flies are harmless, though they can carry bacteria from rotting foods that can contaminate other foods. So how do you get rid of fruit flies coming from your drain? Well, there are many ways to resolve this issue according to Five Star Plumbing, the #1 plumbers in Harford County, Maryland.
How to Fix:
While some insecticides and household chemicals can be used, there are also many natural remedies to take care of things. First thing to start out with is to clean the drain in question. There are a few ways to do this:
- Pour a ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar down the drain and allow it to work its magic overnight. Follow up with boiling water the next morning. Repeat as needed.
- Pour a half gallon of water and 1 cup of vinegar or bleach down the drain to sanitize.
- Pour boiling water down the drain to loosen rotting matter. Use a metal pipe brush to clean the pipe lining. Follow with more boiling water.
After you sanitize the drain, create a homemade trap to catch the remaining flies.
- Place a small piece of ripe fruit in a cup covered with a plastic wrap. Next, make small puncture marks in the wrap with a fork. This method is perfect for catching fruit flies.
- Mix a cup and a half of apple cider vinegar and 5 drops of dish soap and place near the drain (can also heat in the microwave for 15 seconds to attract more flies).
If these methods don’t work to resolve the issue, you may have something wrong with your p-trap. Every kitchen or bathroom drain has a self-sealing water trap, which stores about two cups of water in a U-shaped bend that sits below the piping and the fixture. When there is no water in the pipe because of cracks or non-use, odors and flies can escape. If the flies come back, there may be something wrong with your p-trap or drain line.
Need Help From An Experienced Plumber?
Five Star Plumbing Services is locally owned and operated, being in business since 1991. Our core values include responsiveness, honesty, and integrity. Our technician will provide you with a flat rate fee up front so you know exactly what to expect. No hidden fees. We service residents in both Harford County and Baltimore County.