Treating a Problem of Drain Flies
- , by Trudy Chuoke Trudy Chuoke
I have never had drain flies in my kitchen and last week when I was headed to pour a cup of coffee, there they were hanging in my sink like I had sent out invitations. Well, I finished my coffee, and went to work complaining to Max, my dog all along the way.
Have you ever wondered why you might get drain flies? Most people think it comes from fresh fruit and at one time I did to. But drain and fruit flies breed in the organic matter that builds up on the sides of the sink drain lines. If you slow running drains, it makes it worse. Disposals are also a breeding ground for drain flies. But you can take of this.
In the evening, my mom used to say that the kitchen was closed after she had served dinner and cleaned up. It was our warning to not go in and make a mess, or if we did, we better clean it up. So once your kitchen is closed is when you want to take care of annoying drain flies. You want to use a product called Adios and you will need to pour 8 ounces down the kitchen drains and use the drain stopper to close them. But here is the secret to getting rid of drain flies, you must go to each drain and treat each one with Adios. So that means kitchen sink, bathroom sink, tub, and shower drains. Remember to stop each one up. And here is the reason.
Those drain pests use your plumbing system like a highway. So, if you make it unbearable in the kitchen then they just go to the bathroom and then you start seeing them when you are trying to brush your teeth or wash your face. But if you will treat each drain and close those drains off, they are trapped, and you will get rid of them. You might have to treat the drains a couple of times because drain flies are a persistent bunch. Adios is made from citronella, so you are not pouring something caustic down the drains that might cause damage. There are a couple of other ways that you can use if this is not what you want to do.
There are those fruit fly traps that look like apples, but a different type called Zendo Zones, and it works the same way as that apple, but it looks like a succulent plant in a cute container. Also Safer makes a plug-in trap. It is a multi-insect trap. So, you will trap fruit flies, moths, gnats, and house flies. It plugs into any indoor outlet wherever insects are a problem. Place near your exterior doors, houseplants, pet areas, kitchens, and bedrooms. They work best at night, leave it on and the rest of your lights off and then they will be attracted to the light and get stuck on the sticky pad. Change out the pad every 21 days (about 3 weeks).
Are you also having problems with house flies? I know I am too- I have never had problems with flies. I am not sure why, I just know I do not like them. So let me give you a few ideas on how to handle them.
Flies tend to gather around the windows. Rescue makes several traps. The one I like is the Fly Pad. It is corrugated, and the ridges are not sticky so you can handle it without getting stuck to it. It works everywhere from glass to garbage cans. The glue filled grooves catch flies while the ridged surface stays clean to the touch.
Hope this clears up some of the frustration about flying insects.
Now to the email….
Question: I am going on an extended vacation. And I want to leave the lights on outside. But I do not want them on during the day. I went to look at a light fixture that was dusk to dawn and it was expensive. I do not want to leave the lights on during the day. What is my alternative?
Answer: Phillips makes a dusk to dawn light that you just remove your normal bulb in your outdoor fixture and place that one in its place. They are economical and provide a nice warm light to the outside of the house. I would take it a step further and place a couple of lights on timers inside the house. You should be able to purchase them for about $15 a room.