If your in the UK and you have small flying pests in your house, it is likely they are Fruit Flies, Drain Flies, or Fungus Gnats. Fruit flies are often found in areas where fruits and vegetables have been left out, while Drain Flies prefer areas with high moisture and organic material such as clogged drains or garbage disposals. Finally, Fungus Gnats thrive in wet potting soil; these little black flies may fly around and congregate around windows and doors if there is an indoor potted plant present nearby. It is important to identify the type of insect before attempting to remedy the problem, so proper steps can be taken for removal.
How To Identify What Type of Fly You Have
Fruit flies, drain flies, and fungus gnats are all types of flying insects that are commonly mistaken for one another due to their similar appearance. In reality, however, these species are all distinct from one another and require different strategies to eradicate them from any indoor or outdoor space.
Fruit Flies
What do fruit flies look like?
Fruit flies are a small species of fly that often measure between 1.2 and 3.5 millimeters in length. As for colour, Fruit flies typically have yellowish-brown or tan bodies, with reddish eyes, black bands on their wings, and a pattern of stripes on their thorax. Fruit flies also have three characteristics stripes at the base of their abdomen. In general, Fruit flies are small but can be easily distinguished from other species due to their size, colouration, and banding patterns.
Where do you find fruit flies in the house?
Fruit flies are a common household nuisance in many homes. They can be found congregating near organic matter, such as decaying fruit and vegetables, beer, and wine. Even spills on kitchen surfaces or forgotten organic scraps in the rubbish bins can attract fruit flies.
What attracts fruit flies?
- Decaying fruit and vegetables
- Rubbish Bins
- Sinks and kitchen surfaces
- Wine and beer bottles
- Organic matter
How do I get rid fruit flies?
In order to get rid of fruit flies there are a few steps you can take, such as cleaning and emptying all fruit bowls and garbage bins, improving your kitchen hygiene and using air-tight containers to cover food scraps. Vinegar traps can also help to lure out the flies; this could involve making a simple trap from a jar, vinegar and dish soap. Making sure to remove any spilled juice or fermenting fruit from around your home is also useful.
How to make DIY homemade fruit fly traps and other prevention methods HERE
Fungus Gnats
What do fungus gnats look like?
Fungus gnats, also known as ' Sciaridae ', are small flies that typically measure around 2 to 3 millimetres in size and are a dull grey colour. They have long antennae and legs that make fungus gnats look similar to mosquitoes, though they remain much smaller in comparison. Fungus gnats may not be easily seen with the naked eye, making them even more difficult to identify. However, fungus gnats may be spotted if present near windows or in other lighted areas. If you have fungus gnats present in your home then it is time for immediate action!
Where do you find fungus gnats in the house?
Fungus gnats can be found in any environment with indoor plant pots and moist soil. Fungus gnats typically lay their eggs in the soil of indoor plants – especially when the soil is kept unnecessarily moist or there is excess organic matter decaying in the soil. Fungus gnat larvae feed on decaying organic material, fungi, other insects and root hairs of plants which can cause damage to your houseplants and cuttings.
What attracts fungus gnats?
- Houseplants
- Over watered moist soil
How do I get rid fungus gnats?
Firstly, ensure the soil is kept dry since Fungus gnats prefer damp soils to breed and lay their eggs. Secondly, adding a pot topper helps by preventing Fungus gnats from entering the soil. Thirdly, if Fungus gnats have already become a problem, BTI larvae killer is often cited as the best solution for Fungus gnat control whereas neem cake repels Fungus gnats and sticky traps monitors the infestation levels. With these methods in place Fungus gnats will soon be under control and managed!
We have compiled the best methods of getting rid of a fungus gnats for good HERE.
Drain Flies
What do drain flies look like?
Drain flies, also known as drain moths or filter flies, are small insects that typically measure just 2-3 millimetres in size. Although drain flies come in various shapes and colours, they normally have a pale to light brown body that is covered in hairs. The wings of drain flies are usually translucent but sometimes appear greyish or dark brown depending on the individual species. They can also be recognized by their characteristic flight pattern which is a ‘buzzing’ motion. It’s important to note that drain flies are non-biting and harmless but can become a nuisance due to the large numbers they reproduce and congregate. As such, identifying drain fly infestations and carrying out regular checks on drains and sewage systems is highly recommended.
Where do you find drain flies in the house?
Drain flies, also known as bathroom moths or filter flies, are incredibly common in households. They can appear in many places, including bathroom and kitchen drains, pipes, and sewers. These pesky insects are usually around damp areas or standing water sources such as bathtubs, toilets and showers. Drain flies can also be found near windowsills where outdoor conditions favor their growth. Drain flies can reproduce remarkably quickly in the right conditions; even a single female drain fly can turn into a colony of hundreds if left untreated. It is important to identify a possible drain fly infestation as soon as possible in order to avoid larger problems down the line.
Whats attracts drain flies?
- Drains
- Toilets
- Showers
- Damp areas and standing water
- Leaking pipes
How do I get rid drain flies?
Drain flies tend to be a nuisance in the home, but fortunately there are steps that can be taken to reduce the number of drain flies in a household. Firstly, examine any plumbing fixtures within your home for signs of Drain Flies and clean them out. As standard hygiene practices go, pouring bleach down drains, ensuring that all plumbing traps are working properly and removing any stagnant water outside are great preventive measures. If this does not help with your specific Drain fly infestation, investing in a Drain Gel from a local store should do the trick. Drain Gel is an effective, easy-to-use product that will help get rid of Drain flies, as well as making routine maintenance of your drains easier in the future.
