Drain Gel for Drain Flies

Drain flies are small dark gray insects covered in short hairs.  They reproduce in shallow standing water and generally inhabit moist areas containing decaying organic matter, often drains as the name implies.  Fruit flies also take up residence in drains, so are occasionally referred to as drain flies.  Both are potential carriers of disease, as they frequently enter residential areas after hatching out in unsanitary locations such as garbage dumps, septic tanks and sewers.  Fortunately, it is easy to eradicate and prevent re-infestation of drain flies if proper measures are taken.

Life Cycle and Reproduction

Adult drain flies lay up to 100 eggs, which hatch in 48 hours.  Larvae progress to the pupal stage within 2 weeks of hatching, and adult flies emerge in 20-40 hours, starting the cycle anew. Due to large numbers of offspring and a fast reproductive cycle, substantial populations can quickly develop.  Homeowners are frequently unaware of drain flies until a population of several hundred flies has arisen.

Drain Fly Removal

Many products are available for eradicating drain flies, and are typically administered in the form of a thick gel that is poured down drains and sticks in areas inhabited by drain flies.  These products are designed to digest the organic matter that larval and adult drain flies require as a food source, and also to digest drain fly eggs and larvae.

The following drain fly gels are known to be safe and effective, and are recommended for home use:
Invade Bio Drain Gel contains microbes and citrus oil designed to digest organic matter and deodorize.
Drain Gel Organic Cleaner consists of enzymes and bacteria designed to digest organic matter in environments with and without oxygen (aerobic and anaerobic).
Biokleen Bac Out Drain Care Gel contains enzymes and bacterial cultures which digest organic deposits.
Drain fly kits take a multifactorial approach.  They typically contain flytraps, aerosol insect killers and drain gel.

Proper application of these products in all infested drains is usually able to remove a population within one week.  However, the original source is probably nearby, and re-infestation is likely unless preventative measures are taken.  Once drain flies are exterminated, drains should be treated preventatively with drain fly gel to prevent re-accumulation of organic deposits and potential entry points, such as faulty screen windows, should be repaired.