16 June 2025
It’s that point of 12 months once more when the home warms up and extra bugs seem indoors. Up to now week I’ve seen one drain fly on the bathe wall each different day. I’ve swatted every one however by yesterday I’d swatted a complete of 4. That’s it. I’m finished with observing Nature within the toilet. Right here’s what these flies are and the recommendation I’ve discovered on how you can eliminate them.
The toilet moth fly (Clogmia albipunctata) is a real fly with a worldwide distribution, due to people. It spends most of its life perched on partitions and is usually discovered within the toilet as a result of it breeds within the drain. About 1/8 inch lengthy, it has brownish and blackish hairs on its wings and physique which give it a moth-like look when seen up shut. It’s a weak flier and really straightforward to swat.
The Univ of California Built-in Pest Administration Program explains:
“Feminine moth flies lay eggs in moist to just about saturated natural matter. In an city atmosphere, moth fly improvement typically happens within the slimy natural matter coating sink or bathe drains, giving these flies an alternate widespread title “drain flies” utilized by many pest administration professionals. Nevertheless, moth flies might also be discovered growing in moist animal manure, sewage and even compost.”
“As soon as the eggs have been laid, they hatch in about 48 hours and proceed to develop within the moist natural matter as larvae. Moth fly larvae within the last (third) larval stage are roughly 1/4 inch in size, have a definite head, and a siphon on one finish, which permits them to breathe within the moist atmosphere. Immature flies pupate at their developmental web site earlier than rising as grownup flies. The life cycle of moth flies may be accomplished in as little as 8 days however can take so long as 24 days relying on temperature.”
Right here’s a video of their larvae.
Lavatory moth flies are helpful in water purification at sewage therapy crops. They’re additionally an excellent meals supply for bugs, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians in each stage of their improvement.
However they aren’t helpful within the toilet so how you can eliminate them?
Clear the drain.
Most poured-in cures don’t kill these hardy critters as a result of they’re able to disguise. You need to take away their breeding web site by eliminating the natural matter within the drain.
See Univ of California IPM Program: Moth or drain flies for the true “how you can” solutions, a few of that are listed under.
- Boiling Water is not going to eliminate the flies. It can loosen the natural matter however not fully wash it away.
- Bleach is not going to eliminate the flies. They disguise.
- Baking soda and vinegar could loosen the natural matter however is not going to eliminate the flies.
- Business drain cleaner corresponding to Drano could assist with the natural matter.
- Organic drain cleaner (I’ve by no means used certainly one of these)
- This works: Clear the drain with a bristle brush & wash it away. Name the plumber.
