That's right... We said it: Fruit Flies. Though this is not a happy topic, these little flies are a hot topic in Dallas right now and we've received a lot of calls in regards to how to get rid of them, especially when they're coming from your drains.
TO BEAT THY ENEMY, YOU MUST LEARN WHO THEY ARE FIRST
This is an extremely unhygienic process, leaving behind bacteria and organisms that were once inside the fly. Fruit flies can also carry and transmit disease-causing germs. When fruit infested with fruit fly larvae is consumed accidentally, it can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea. Ready for the next fact? Females fruit flies lay approximately 400 eggs, about five at a time, into rotting fruit or other suitable materials. The eggs, which are about 0.5 millimeters long, hatch after 12-15 hours. The larvae grow for about 4 days, during which time they consume the yeast and microorganisms that decompose the fruit as well as the sugar of the fruit itself. Enough about who our fruit fly friends are... Let's get rid of them.
A HOMEMADE FRUIT FLIES TRAP YOU MUST TRY
Good Housekeeping has several options including creating a trap inside a glass of apple cider vinegar using plastic wrap and a rubber band. Another option is rolling a paper cone into a jar of ripe fruit. The narrow end of the cone makes it difficult for the flies to escape. Vinegar and dish soap is another idea, as using a bowl of the mixture uncovered can lead to flies drowning to death. Check out this video from EZPZ DIY:
GETTING RID OF FRUIT FLIES IN YOUR DRAINS
While some insecticides and household chemicals can be used, there are also many natural ways to take care of things. First things first, you’ll want to clean out the drain in question. There are a few ways to do this:
CLEAN ALL PRODUCE BEFORE STORING IT AWAY
ELIMINATE INSECTS AROUND YOUR GARDEN
DETER THEM WITH SCENTS
Fruit flies can’t stand the smell of basil, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender and clove. If you’ve had a fruit fly problem in the past, try placing these fragrant herbs in muslin sacks or tea bags and hanging them around the house. You could also buy them in essential oil form and use them in a diffuser.
CHANGE YOUR SPONGES AND DISHCLOTHS REGULARLY
Since fruit flies are attracted to food and odors, it makes sense you’d want to keep the things that come in contact with their favorite snacks as fresh as possible. Never mind the fact that fruit flies can breed on these common household items. Yuck!
KEEP YOUR KITCHEN SPARKLING
If these methods do not work to kill drain flies, you may have an issue 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 due to cracks or non-use, odors and flies can escape. If the flies come back, there may be something wrong with your p-trap or a drain line.
Need help? Give us a call at (214) 214-4718 or email us at metroflow@metroflowplumbing.com and let us know how you heard from us. One of our certified plumbers will be ready to assist you. We would love to hear from you and the remedies you use to get rid of these pesky flies. Please comment below. $30 OFF Worked Performed
If you have a plumbing question or a question about this communication, please contact us at 214-328-7371 or email us at metroflow@metroflowplumbing.com.
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April 2021
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