Drain Fly Vs Fruit Fly: Key Differences And How To Get Rid Of Them

Few things give the "ick" quite like flies in the house, especially in areas where food is prepared and people eat. Cue two types most fond of kitchen environments: drain flies and fruit flies. The key differences between them are their appearance and overall dining preferences. Let's talk about identifying these two species in your home and then how to get rid of them.

Drain flies, or sewer flies, can sometimes be confused with moths. This sludge-loving insect is small, with an adult's body being about 1/16 of an inch long. They are either gray or tan, very hairy, and have two true wings with spots near the top and veins that run parallel down the wings. The decaying organic matter that builds up in your household drains and garbage disposal is their all-you-can-eat buffet.

Fruit flies usually have red eyes, though, less commonly, they can be dark or black. Full-sized adults are between 1/16 and 1/8 inch long. The body of the red-eye fruit fly comes in varying shades of brown, whereas the dark-eyed variants range from gray to black. They lay their eggs in over-ripened or fermented food and beverages. Fruit flies also gravitate to moist, sticky household items like soiled mops and cleaning rags. Once they move in, though, they are happy to accept drain flies as neighbors in or around drains, pipes, and trash cans. Now we know the differences between these two pests. Let's learn how to get rid of them.

To prevent drain flies, you should clean your sink drain once a week, but there are several easy ways to get rid of drain flies if they've already entered your home. One such method is to carefully pour boiling water down the drain several times a day for about a week. You can also pour salt with 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by boiling water. This will clean out debris buildup while killing flies and eggs on the way down. Also, consider placing a clear jar with either petroleum jelly or vegetable oil slathered inside over your drain overnight. This catches adults as they fly up. If you have drains you don't use regularly, close them off so the flies don't take advantage of the spare space. 

Getting rid of fruit flies once and for all is possible. One straightforward DIY involves bananas to rid your home of fruit flies. Place an over-ripened banana in a jar and make a paper funnel leading into it. To make the treat extra enticing, give it a sprinkle of yeast. Easily dispatch your catch by covering the jar and placing it in the freezer. Then simply dispose of your "fly-cicles." Remember, prevention is the first line of defense for fruit flies and drain flies. Keeping spaces free of crumbs and spills, taking out the trash, washing fruits and vegetables, and storing them in containers with lids eliminate the invitation for these critters.