How to Kill Fruit Flies Drain Flies and Phorid Flies

Doc shows how to kill fruit flies in the house but he also explains that you might not have fruit flies but Phorid flies or drain flies. The first step is to identify the flies BEFORE trying to kill them. Then have a FULL plan to treat them or you will fail.

[BeachPeach]

We moved into a home that had been vacant for some time and needed a pest control guy for another matter. He told us that we had drain flys. He had us pour Bleach into Every Drain (sinks/showers) overnight for 10 days straight...not 5, not 7, but 10 because that breaks the life cycle. Apparently they lay their eggs around the waterline and when you elevate that line with bleach, and it totally works! This guy was an awesome pest control guy!

[timl.b.]

I like the calm presentation without the "music" and arm waving too many YouTubers think they have to use.

[_CoffeeClosers]

Doc, allow me to add this. I have had issues with the Sewer fly's (drain fly's) and you are correct that you need to take care of the drain trap. However, the main place I discovered them was inside of the Sinks "Emergency Overflow port" on the upper face of the sink bowl. Make sure to flush this area out with whatever cleaner you are using. I closed the drain and filled the sink with hot water and Clorox and allowed it to flow though the overflow port to sterilize the inside of that space. I found a flood of small black maggots pouring out of there... yes prepare to gag.

[stevencgay]

Just before locating your site I had identified (ironically) the Scuttle (Phorid) Flies using a 30x scope with a reticle and captured photos using my iPhone. Worked great. I got some great mag shots of the ugly little critters. The one I photographed was 1/10" long. The photo allowed me to search and to identify (which led me down the path to finding your You Tube). Thanks for the info. We have been fighting them all summer and they got much worse toward the end of September. Our home is new construction and we moved in on May 25 so we haven't had a long time to build decaying matter in a lot of places with only two of us living here. However, there is a 5-7 acre tomato farm behind our home and the farmer left the last 5 rows of fruit to rot on the vine for some stupid reason. I believe the beginning of the infestation occurred when they 'invited' themselves into our house. I've been dosing the drains with 200 degree water twice per day for the past several days and we have 6 Vevo Light Traps near drains in bathrooms and kitchen. In the heat of the battle I have had to change the Vevo pads once per day because they literally filled up and a little No Vacancy sign was required. We also have the Gold Stick sticky traps. We, too, tried the vinegar in the bowls and got the same result as you. Plus; I have been dosing overnight with Natural Armor Fruit and Drain Fly Killer in sinks showers and tubs. And, lastly, I set off Raid Flying Insect Bombs in the house the other day. I've done everything BUT burn the house to the ground (LOL). I think we are turning the corner now. Thanks for your info to add to my current;y crash course in controls and elimination.

[davidkendrick]

One thing to be careful about with Drano…if you’re on a septic system, the chemicals in Drano will kill the bacteria that digest the…organic material…in your septic tank. If you must use it, there are septic tank bacteria primers that you have to reintroduce into the tank by washing them down the sink with hot water. The hot water activates them, like yeast, and they will multiply once they get into the septic tank. Best bet is to skip the Drano option altogether. Hate to say it, but the gag method is the fastest way to go - just put a fan in the bathroom and turn it on high when you do - it may keep you from passing out! And don’t forget to pull the hair out of you tub/shower drains on a regular basis, either…especially if you have long hair!!!

[gtc]

For the unused sink and shower/bath drain traps, you can pour some mineral oil down those drains. It won't evaporate and will keep the trap sealed. Some have suggested using vegetable oil, but that can get rancid and smell after some time. Mineral oil won't.

[hannahtryon]

Thank you for I have been on the edge of a nervous breakdown with little flies and didn't know what they were. Driving me Getting ready to do all of these steps.

[celticspirit]

Bio Clean, Zevo traps and Gentrol complete aerosol worked. After 6 months, drain flies returned. You need to Bio Clean ALL drains once a month long term. Lesson learned.

[spikefivefivefive]

Making it more confusing is the fact that the phorid flies are also attracted to the traps I use for fruit flies.
I think my most recent infestation is due to new houseplants from big box stores.
Currently I'm using diatomaceous earth to break the cycle.

[OddWoz]

Extremely informative even though most of it I had already encountered and been in battle using…. The drain trap info specifically was important. Other folks also not being aware of those traps possibly going dry and allowing in pests is probably a very widespread issue. Good luck to everyone. Thankfully our house is in remission.

[jeffbehringer]

Katchy indoor fly trap works great too.

[karenwright]

Thanks Doc...good call they seem to be everywhere in Kentucky this year. Onions at the grocery are covered with the little blackies, and bring fruit in the house gee whiz.

[BigDaddyJinx]

I'm "that guy" friend. The reason that you may have only caught 5 in your home trap is because that's not how that works. I have a problem with fruit/drain flies and it comes and goes. Especially bad in the summer though. In the beginning I used to use a small piece of BANANA in a glass, with Saran Wrap and ONE hole punched in the top. I collected hundreds of those disgusting critters in the glass and it was disgusting. If you punch more than ONE hole they have an easier chance to escape. You have ONE hole and they will get trapped.

But since I didn't want to have to keep doing that, I found the cider vinegar trap. This one I use religiously now and is super effective. You need a small container like a glass or I use the bottom end of a coffee creamer container cut off. Add a decent amount of vinegar to it (between 1/4 to 1/2 cup based on how big a container you use) and around 5 DROPS of dish soap into it. NO WATER. Just vinegar and soap. NO SARAN WRAP. Just vinegar and soap. Place the container near something like a drain or a garbage can, on a counter near it, and let it do its thing. You will have all kinds of action and dead bodies in the solution every day. The vinegar loses its potency after about a few days, so you'll only need dump it in the toilet, rinse it, then repeat.

The only downside is that in the first day or two, your room area WILL reek of the cider vinegar. I call it a small price to pay for the quickest and easiest method to rid yourself of these pests. If you have animals (or infants), do NOT place these homemade traps on the floor where they can get access to them.

Been using these traps for over 10 years and they are damn effective if done RIGHT.

[mindofmadness]

Subbed for you. Another thing about termites is they will build clay tunnels up the supports or other structires under the house to keep a moisture flow to them as they eat upwards. Have to put in a barrier. We just bought an old farmhouse and have a lot of issues with the small flies, wife says fruit flies but they do not match so figuretheyare the humpback ones. I suggested they come from the drains but my retired plumber roomie says it is "Impossible!" [[yeah, I know.]] Anyhoo, we got a wonderful mix of houe flies, roaches, fleas and stink bugs to deal with here. Tried a bug zapper-inside it did little, outside it got totally clogged overnight. Suuch is life. Nice looking job on you place BTW.

[TheCaliCapture]

I Had to Comment on this video as being in thè top 🔝 ten Videos of the 50, 000 or so I've watched as being close to perfèct I've seen from start to finish 🏁 nèver lose focus precise and accurate info presented clèarly.
Thanks, You have a natural Talent for This.

[Davethreshold]

It's WAR!! Just kidding, that was very good and helpful. Here is another idea that I came up with: With the Raid UV attractors and similar. I took a bit of cider vinegar in little bowels just to attract them to the light. It went from catching 2-5 in the first couple days to 30 after I used the attractant! Much better results. You are right, about the traps Youtube traps. LOL! For a few days I had vinegar and soap dishes lying around, and I started to smell like a pickle! Nice place you have there also!

[redswingline]

Excellent video; excellent presentation

[widowswatch]

Every year around august September we have fruit flys or drain flys. For two days I have been using vinegar and liquid soap in a small bowl. . It is definitely working. I think you have to change it everyday. I think they are coming from the drains in bathroom and the kitchen. They are so gross. I started covering the drains with paper towel at night. I will also try your recommendations. Thanks

[mmartinez]

Great info thanks. Question... You water all that grass Doc?

[j.c.linden]

I am wondering why you did not include fungus gnats that show up in bagged potting soil used in house plants.