Drain Pests: How You Can Get Rid of Them for Good

While you might be proactively cleaning all areas of your home, few of us think about cleaning or addressing the gunk that builds up in our plumbing. That gunk and buildup in your drain can end up becoming the home of drain flies or sink moths. The irony is that they do not fly well, so they can end up hovering around your kitchen and bathroom sinks.

Even if the insects themselves are harmless, it can be annoying when working around your sink. In small numbers, these insects can help to break down decomposing wet matter in drains. However, they can also end up multiply very quickly, since their life cycle is short, and eggs hatch every 32-48 hours.

You might be wondering if there is a way to help reduce that organic material in your drains and limit the number of drain pests. At the same time, you need to find methods that will be kind to your plumbing. Your local San Marcos plumbing company can also help you to deal with larger amounts of buildup in your pipes that could be contributing to the problem.

Consider Natural Options First

While there are pesticides or harsh chemicals, many individuals don’t want to use these items where they prepare food or handle their personal care. To avoid those chemicals, then consider using these natural methods.

First, use a metal pipe brush, pushing it through the pipe as far as you can reach. By pushing and pulling it back and forth, you will break up any gunk and buildup. Then take boiling water and pour it down the drain. This process will help to naturally break up the gunk without causing damage to your pipes.

To address a large amount of buildup, use ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of baking soda, and 1 cup of vinegar down the drain and allow it to sit overnight. In the morning, pour another pot of boiling water down the drain. Maintaining your clean drains can be done by pouring a pot of boiling water down any drains a couple of times a week. You can also use a small amount of white vinegar in the pipes, wait a half an hour, and then flush it with warm water.

Catch the Drain Pests

Now that your drains are clean, then you need to find a way to get ride of the drain pests that are already in your kitchen or bathroom. Start by setting out a bowl that has a mix of sugar, water, and white vinegar, along with a few dashes of liquid dish soap. Let it sit out overnight. The pests will be attracted to it and end up drowning in the liquid.

Another option is to use apple cider vinegar by pouring it into a glass and covering that glass with plastic wrap. Poke a few small holes into it with a fork and then leave it by your sink. The pests will be attracted to the apple cider vinegar, but they will not be able to escape.

Use a Drain Cleaner Gel

Finally, if you are dealing with drain flies that continue to come back, then the grime might be deeper than you realized. Drain cleaner gel can coat the sides of the pipe and get some of the organic matter that you cannot reach using a metal pipe cleaner.

After using this type of cleaner, you need to pour plenty of water down the drain to flush away the organic matter that was loosened up. Keep in mind that drain fly larvae can live under high temperatures, however, the boiling water regularly put down the drain can help to flush the organic material and avoid potential buildup.

Consider a Deeper Cleaning

Now that you have completely cleaned your drains and trapped pests, you should start to see a reduction in the number of drain pests. To keep them from returning, it is important to regularly have your drains cleaned to remove the organic material that they need to breed. If you feel that your plumbing is still filled with buildup, despite your best efforts, then you might want to consider working with a San Marcos plumbing company to do a deeper cleaning with a plumbing snake.

That could not only get rid of the organic matter, but also address potential buildup that could lead to a reduced water flow or even blocks in your plumbing. If you are concerned that the problem is bigger than just cleaning out organic matter, contact our local San Marcos plumbing company to have your plumbing checked. To make an appointment, contact us today.

Proactive Plumbing has provided dependable plumbing services, installations and repair for more than 15 years. We service Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido and other areas of San Diego County.