Pests We Treat Photo Album: Pest Removal in Brielle, NJ
The Inspection: Finding Their Access Point
I started by inspection to determine where these drain flies were coming from. These flies don't venture far and they were breeding somewhere nearby in the home. I started with the most likely locations and inspected every interior drain in every room. I soon discovered that the problem area was the shower drain in the master bathroom. How did I know? As soon as I removed the drain cover, I was hit in the face by a swarm of drain flies that were none-too-pleased that I disturbed them!
Where Do Drain Flies Hide?
As their name implies, they are found inside house and storm drains. These flies, just like fruit flies, often feed off and lay their eggs in the accumulated "muck " that accumulates on drain surfaces. While they often breed in kitchen sink drains that are coated with rotting food debris, they are commonly found in shower drains as well. Believe it or not, shower drains have plenty of nutrient-laden organic material - the fats and oils in soaps and shampoos, the protein in our hair, and even the dead skin that flakes off our scalps are all drain fly delicacies! Drain flies are not known to bite or transmit any diseases. However they can trigger bronchial asthma in susceptible individuals. Also, although rare, should fly larvae find their way into an open wound, they can cause myiasis, a parasitic infestation in which the larvae will actually develop inside the human host, feeding on its tissue.
What Causes Drain Flies
Drain fly larvae develop usually in and feed on the bacteria in drains. Improper cleaning of drains will lead to drain flies.
To Treat, First, Remove the Gunk
Before applying any type of solution, I first removed all the decaying material from the drain, including egg larvae and clumps of human hair. It's not pretty, but it is an essential first step. Applying any solution first without cleaning out the drain would be ineffective and a waste of product.
Now, You're Ready to Apply the Solution!
After I removed all of the drain fly breeding material, I sanitized the drain by applying a foaming solution. This bio-foam solution effectively removes build-up, odors, and scum in kitchen drains, cracks, or crevices, to help prevent and get rid of existing drain flies and pests. This solution contains natural microbes, enzymes, and citrus oils, and to work fast dissolving build-up and eliminating fly-attracting odors. Then, I applied a fly bait product around the bathroom areas to eliminate the mature, active drain flies. Finally, I cleaned and disinfected the rest of drains in the home to avoid future drain fly issues.