Flies | Home Pests

Will Drano Kill Drain Flies?

As night falls and you finish your meal, you rush to your kitchen to clean things up, only to discover the next morning that a swarm of small moth-like flies known as “drain flies” has gathered all over!

You’re perplexed as to why these flies keep coming into your home from time to time, despite your best efforts to eliminate them. You’ve heard of a solution from a friend, who says that ‘Drano’ is the sure-fire way to eradicate the drain flies.

Drano will kill moth flies and their larvae, but you require a more comprehensive approach to ensure the pests are eliminated and don’t come back to bother you again.

What Is Drano?

Drano is known to eradicate the problem of insects, significantly drain flies. It is a drain cleaner based on lye (sodium hydroxide). However, the concentration of lye, sodium nitrate, aluminum, and sodium chloride (salt) can vary with every product. 

Since it is caustic in nature, it has the potential to cause burns or erode organic tissues. 

Will drano kill drain flies?

This product is available in multiple varieties, including foam, gel, crystal, solid, and liquid, and is widely used in many applications. 

You can choose the amount and type of this chemical cleaner based on your needs and the magnitude of the infestation and drain blockage issues.

What Are Drain Flies?

Drain flies are also known as Psychodidae in scientific terms. Gnat flies, sink flies, sewer gnats, and filter flies are some of the frequent names for these tiny insects. Drain flies can sometimes be mistaken for fruit flies.

More than 2,600 species have been identified of drain flies globally, the majority of which are found in the wet tropics. They have a 21-27-day life cycle and can multiply rapidly.

Drain flies are not dangerous in that they don’t sting or bite, although they can be a nuisance and cause irritation. These are usually found in sewage systems and pipeline drains.

Drain flies have little, fuzzy, spherical bodies that range in size from 2 mm to 5 mm. They come in a variety of hues and may easily be distinguished from houseflies.

drain fly

Causes of Drain Flies

Drain flies are attracted to stagnant water and humid areas. These insects are mostly found in and around drains and sewage.

They, like mosquitoes, congregate and spawn in bodies of water. They can be found in huge numbers in any place with unclean water, a shallow structure, decaying organic material, dwellings in dampened areas, and big industrial areas. 

Despite their brief lifespan, the rate at which they reproduce ensures that they are always in large numbers.

Some of the places where drain flies can flourish are damaged septic tanks, below air-conditioning units, algae-prone regions, toilets, floor drains, and floors where water may collect. If you find a large number of drain flies in a pipe, check cautiously as that might be the original place of infestation. 

Drano the Answer for Drain Flies

Drano is a powerful drain cleaner with the ability to dissolve even the toughest filth, such as hair and oil, from inside the pipes. When this caustic chemical comes into direct touch with insects, it kills them all. 

It is strongly advised not to be used in pipes made of fragile materials such as rubber or plastic. It should never be left for an extended period of time because this can cause the pipes to deteriorate. 

This chemical should not be combined with any other drain cleaning or bleach. Drain blockages can occur for a variety of reasons, including the quality and design of the pipes concerned. 

If you notice that you’re having a lot of pipe blockages, you should consult a plumber and see if there are any other structural concerns that could be causing the blockage. However, for any issue other than structural causes, Drano can solve drainage and insect problems in a jiffy!

How to Use Drano?

Whether you have a clog in your drain or an area of your estate infected with drain flies and other insects, you may simply solve the problem with Drano. Rather than asking for assistance or the pest control unit, you can use Drano to quickly eliminate the flies.

Drano has a chemical that is so strong that it will clear practically any blockage and kill any bug that comes close to it. Drano should not be followed up with another cleaning disinfectant; instead, let it run its course. 

You can apply it directly to the affected areas, particularly those where you know there is an insect infestation. When using liquid Drano, always wear sturdy rubber gloves and, if necessary, eye protection glasses.

Make sure you use it in a space where there are no distractions around you, as you do not want it to spill on your or anybody’s skin. 

For every 32 ounces of the chemical, you can use half the bottle to pour into the clogged drain and the insect-affected areas. Always remove the cap with extra caution to prevent any spillage. 

In the case of a heavily blocked drain, you can try using the entire bottle as well. Be extra careful and use your discretion to understand the amount you would want to use. After leaving it for a few minutes, do not forget to flush it with water, preferably hot water.

dry fly side view

In Conclusion

Drano may be the best remedy for your drain fly issue. Though these insects do not pose a health risk to humans, they can be unpleasant. It can be used to destroy any bug that causes a problem, not just drain flies. 

It’s simple to use and doesn’t create a mess. The correct usage instructions are always provided with the product. Also, before you start using it, make sure you read all of the instructions on the label.

You can save a ton of money by getting a Drano instead of engaging a pest controller or a plumber. A bottle of this chemical can be used to solve many of your stubborn dirt and bugs issues. 

However, prudence is required when using it, and by doing so, you will be able to enjoy a sparkling clean home in no time!

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