Most people don’t know that there are actually two types of common household flies: fruit flies and drain flies. Both are small, but drain flies have a distinctive pattern of veins on their wings. If you’re dealing with small flies in your home and you’re not sure which type you have, try this test: tap a fly on a counter or other hard surface. If it can’t right itself and fly away, it’s a drain fly.
Moth flies are attracted to damp places where they can lay their eggs, like drains, garbage disposals, and houseplants. If you’re dealing with a moth fly infestation, the first thing you need to do is find the source of the flies. Once you’ve done that, you can take steps to get rid of them.
The best home made drain fly killer is a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. Simply mix the two ingredients together in a bowl and place it near where you’ve seen the flies. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar and will drown in the water.
If you’re not sure where the flies are coming from, you can try doing a “fly walk.” Start at the edge of the room where you’ve seen the most flies and walk in a straight line. Mark where you see flies with a piece of tape or a marker. After you’ve done a lap of the room, you should have a good idea of where the flies are congregating.
Once you’ve found the source of the flies, take steps to clean it. If the source is a drain, pour bleach down it. Let it sit for an hour, then flush with hot water. If the source is a garbage disposal, run it with hot water and a little dish soap. You can also put a mixture of vinegar and water down the disposal to help get rid of any leftover flies.
If you have houseplants that are attracting flies, move them outside or throw them away. If you can’t do that, try placing a bowl of vinegar and water near the plant. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar and will drown.
You can also take steps to prevent flies from coming into your home in the first place. Keep your drains clean and free of debris. Empty your garbage cans regularly. And if you have houseplants, make sure to keep them watered so they don’t attract flies.
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