Why are There Fruit Flies in My Drain?

There is nothing more annoying than a fruit fly infestation in your home. There are many different reasons fruit flies may gather in your home and drains. Your local Marin County plumbers want to help you learn why fruit flies are there, how to get rid of them and prevent them from returning.

Q: How did fruit flies get in my drain?

A: Fruit flies thrive in a moist environment and feast on fruits, vegetables and other organic material that may be left in there. Your garbage disposal can become a breeding ground for fruit flies if you have a lot of buildup in your drain.

Q: How do I get rid of fruit flies in my drain?

A: There are many ways to get rid of fruit flies, such as using chemicals. But, there are better natural alternatives to getting rid of fruit flies. The first thing you should do is clean out the drain. Here are three different drain cleaning steps you can take:

1. Pour a mixture of ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of baking soda, and 1 cup of vinegar into your drain and let it sit overnight. In the morning, pour boiling water down the drain. Repeat these steps if necessary.
2. Pour a half gallon of water and 1 cup of vinegar or bleach down the drain. The water will help move anything in the drain, while the vinegar and bleach will help to sanitize the drain.
3. Pour boiling water down the drain; this will loosen anything in the drain. Next, use a metal pipe brush to clean the pipelining. Pour another round of boiling water to clean out anything loosened up by the pipe cleaner.

Now that you have cleaned and sanitized your drain, there are two ways you can catch fruit flies left in the kitchen.

1. Get a piece of ripe fruit and place it into a cup covered with plastic wrap. Then create tiny holes in the wrap with a fork.
2. In a cup, mix a cup and a half of apple cider vinegar and five drops of dish soap. Heat this mixture in the microwave for 15 seconds and place it near your drain.

If you are still having fruit fly issues after these steps, it may be time to get a garbage disposal replacement. There may be water trapped in the drain, causing a buildup that fruit flies love to feast on. Schedule a garbage disposal replacement or inspection with us if you are unsure.

Q: How to prevent fruit flies in my drain?

A: Our number one recommendation is to keep your kitchen and drain clean. Be sure to eat fruit or vegetables once they are ripe. It is best to discard them or keep them refrigerated if you are not eating them. A single unripened fruit or vegetable can become a hot spot for fruit fly growth.

If the fruit flies continue to bug you, give us a call. We are here to help you and want to get the job done right! Let Gotelli Plumbing be your Marin County plumbers.