How To Get Rid Of Drain Flies In 5 Different Ways

Have you noticed tiny flying insects hovering near your sinks, shower, or toilet? At this point, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of drain flies – and quickly.

Also known as sink flies, sewer gnats or moth flies, these annoying pests are common in Brisbane homes, especially during humid months. Although not dangerous, they’re definitely persistent, unsightly, and often a sign of gunk building up in your plumbing.

In our guide, we’ll show you:

• How to identify them
• Where they’re breeding
• And which drain flies killer methods actually work.

What are drain flies?

Drain flies are very small, fuzzy-winged insects that absolutely thrive in the organic slime lining your pipes. They’re most often found around bathroom drains, kitchen sinks, and toilets. Their wings look like tiny leaves, and they move in short, erratic bursts.

Not just that – they reproduce fast. So if you don’t kill drain flies early, a minor annoyance can become a full-blown infestation.

Why are they in your home?

Drain flies lay eggs in the biofilm inside your pipes, and that’s where their larvae develop. Warmth, moisture, and stagnant water are ideal conditions for these pesky pests. That makes bathrooms and kitchens the perfect breeding ground.

While getting rid of drain flies involves cleaning the visible bugs, it’s even more important to target their habitat deep in your drains.

Where are you likely to find drain flies?:

• Bathroom sinks and showers
• Kitchen sinks and dishwashers
• Laundry sinks and overflow outlets
• Floor drains in laundries or garages
• Toilets with infrequent use
• Overflow channels inside sinks.

Many people also report shower flies buzzing around tiled areas where there’s poor drainage or hidden pipework issues.

Step-by-step: 5 Effective methods to kill drain flies

We’ve come up with 5 proven ways to deal with these pesky insects. Use one or more depending on how severe the infestation is.

1. Boiling water & pipe brushing

Start simple. Pour boiling water down the drain twice daily for at least a week. This helps break down the organic matter drain flies feed on.

Next, use a long, stiff pipe brush to scrub the inside of the drain walls, focusing on the trap (the U-shaped bend under the sink). This method is highly effective for dislodging eggs, slime, and hidden insects.

2. Natural cleaning mixes

Baking soda and vinegar are a popular, non-toxic way to clean pipes and kill larvae.

• Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain
• Follow up with a full cup of white vinegar
• Let it sit and foam for 10-15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

This works as a mild drain fly killer by disrupting the slimy environment the flies rely on, while also deodorising your pipes as a bonus.

3. Sticky traps

To monitor activity or reduce adult numbers, set out sticky traps near affected drains. Place them overnight on the bathroom counter or wall – wherever you see the most activity.

They won’t eliminate the infestation alone, but they can help track progress while you work on how to get rid of sink flies at the source.

4. Enzyme drain cleaners

Commercial enzyme-based cleaners are an excellent way to kill drain flies without harsh chemicals. These cleaners eat away at organic sludge without damaging your pipes or septic systems.

Choose a product labelled specifically for drain or bio-cleaning. Regular use can keep new colonies from forming after the first wave is gone.

5. Professional drain cleaning

If the problem persists or you suspect a deeper issue (like hidden pipe damage or blocked sink drains), it may be time to call in the pros.

At Brisbane Drain Cleaning, we use techniques like hydro jetting and CCTV drain inspection to clear the sludge that supports drain moth infestations – fast, clean, and with long-lasting results.

Don’t forget the toilet!

One overlooked hotspot is the toilet bowl and rim. Seeing drain fly larvae in toilet bowls isn’t uncommon – especially in rarely used bathrooms.

Scrub the bowl and flush the system thoroughly. You can also shut off the water, pour enzyme cleaner directly into the trap, and let it sit overnight before flushing in the morning.

Dealing with baby drain flies

When homeowners spot tiny black bugs near their sinks, they’re often baby drain flies just emerging from the pipework. These are the result of larvae maturing in the organic buildup inside your plumbing.

If you’re seeing more and more baby flies each day, you need to get rid of drain flies at the larval stage – just killing adults won’t stop the cycle.

Bonus question!: How do you get rid of drain flies permanently?

The key is consistent cleaning. Remove the slime in your drain traps, use enzyme treatments regularly, and make sure no water is sitting in unused pipes. Professional drain inspections can also help identify and fix deeper problems.

But ultimately, there’s no single fix for how to kill drain flies. However, combining multiple methods gives you the best shot at stopping the cycle. Boiling water, pipe brushing, and enzyme cleaners work well when used together. And if you’re fed up or worried it’s something bigger, professional cleaning is always a smart move.

Get help from Brisbane’s drain experts

Tried everything and those tiny flies keep coming back? Brisbane Drain Cleaning is ready to help. Our expert, friendly team clears the source of the problem – deep inside your drains – and leaves no mess behind. We’ll get your drains clean, clear, and fly-free … fast.

Call now or book online now for a fixed-price, no-surprises drain cleaning service you can count on.