Drain flies are small insects that live in areas with drains or pipes and are a common household pest. They are attracted to stagnant or dirty water and can breed in slow or clogged drains, rarely used and unused toilets, refrigerator drain pans, and standing water created by leaking pipes. Trapped waste that is part of a clog in your drain pipe is also what causes drain flies to infiltrate your home. Drain flies primarily live on organic material found in standing water, which often includes sewage or other contaminated water, typically when it causes a film to build up in a humid area of pipes with standing water. Drain flies can lay eggs in the film that forms on the inside of pipes and drains when water pools and collects sewage. Drain flies aren’t known to carry or transmit any human diseases, but infestations have been known to trigger asthmatic reactions and can carry bacteria from the trash or drains to areas of your home that should be sterile, like where you prepare food in the kitchen. The best way to get rid of drain flies is to eliminate potential breeding sites by locating and thoroughly cleaning the breeding site. Here are some tips to prevent and get rid of drain flies:

• Keep drains clean and free of clogs by refraining from putting clog-inducing items down the drain, like coffee grinds, rice, solid foods, hair, and more.
• Clean drains and areas where drain flies are breeding thoroughly.
• Use a drain cleaning brush or a flexible wire to reach into the drain and dislodge any buildup.
• Pour a mixture of boiling water and vinegar down the drain to help break down the organic matter.
• Deal with clogged drains immediately.
• Regularly clean areas with standing water, like wet mops and buckets, compost piles, and storm drains with standing water.