How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Drain

Apr 8 2024

Are you noticing a steadily growing fruit fly population in your kitchen or bathroom? Maybe you’ve noticed the fruit flies hanging around your sinks and seen one or two go into the drain. You may have even caught some coming from the sink drain like a scene from a nightmare. 

While fruit flies in the kitchen sink are generally harmless, these pests may carry bacteria, contaminate food, and put you at risk of diseases. They’re also just annoying to have buzzing around us while we’re minding our own business!

To help you get to the root of the problem and solve it for good, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on how to kill fruit flies in drains—but first, let’s discuss why drain flies are in your sink in the first place.

Why Fruit Flies Gather in Drains

Can fruit flies come from drains? Absolutely. Dirty, clogged, or even semi-clogged kitchen sinks are perfect breeding grounds for fruit flies. These environments provide the larvae with organic material to feed on and a physical barrier from running water. 

So if you are noticing a steady or increasing fruit fly population in your home along with signs of a clogged drain, it’s very likely that the two are connected. 

Image Source: Canva

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Coming From Drain

Step #1: Locate Fruit Flies in Kitchen Sink

To be absolutely sure that these pests are breeding in your kitchen sink drain, tape a clear plastic food storage bag around the drain when it is not in use. This will allow you to catch any adult fruit flies trying to escape. When you see them stuck inside the plastic bag, you know it’s time to evict them!

The good news is that when fruit flies are gathered in drains, it makes getting rid of them a whole lot easier. For one, they’re already backed into a corner with nowhere else to go!

Let’s learn how to kill fruit flies in drains in the following steps.

Step #2: Test for a Clog & Remove It if Present

Check if the kitchen sink drain is clogged by pouring ½ gallon of water down the drain, then see if it drains quickly. If the water stagnates or drains slowly, it’s clogged. 

Dislodge the clog by using a plunger or drain snake. Avoid using any chemical drain cleaner to prevent further pipe damage. If this doesn’t work, it would be best to call an expert plumber to diagnose the problem and deal with it safely and properly.  

Step #3: Kill the Fruit Flies in the Sink

Next, clean up the ripe or rotting food that’s sustaining the fruit fly larvae. Pour hot water down the drain once every three days for good measure. Don’t pour boiling water as this can cause some pipe materials to crack.  

Afterwards, pour ¼ cup of baking soda, ½ cup of salt and ½ cup of vinegar into the drain. Leave it overnight, then pour hot water to flush the drain. Doing so may help in melting or softening the debris and kill the fruit flies. 

Image source: Canva

Step #4: Observe & Prevent

Tape up the drain with a clear plastic bag overnight to trap remaining fruit flies. You can also brew an organic fruit fly trap by mixing apple cider vinegar and dish soap. Put the mixture in a container and leave it near the sink overnight. Keep doing this to get rid of the fruit flies in the drain.

Prevent fruit flies from coming out of the kitchen sink by doing the following:

• Always wipe away food residue in the sink and on countertops to prevent organic debris from gathering in the sink’s p-trap.
• Wash all fresh produce and store them immediately in the refrigerator.
• Clean the kitchen sink drain regularly with a drain brush.
• Before going to bed, close the drain with a stopper to prevent flies from escaping.
• Consult with a local plumber on how to keep the pipes clean to avoid organic build-up.

Fruit Flies Are a Sign of an Underlying Plumbing Issue

You solved your fruit fly problem in the kitchen sink and another one greets you in the bathroom. How’s that possible? Turns out fruit flies don’t discriminate between drains, whether it’s in the kitchen or the bathroom. 

Why Are There Fruit Flies in My Bathroom?

The bathroom is a high-moisture area. When water can’t escape, fruit flies find ways to enter and settle inside the bathroom drain. It’s why you may suddenly find them stuck on walls, floors, and other surfaces. 

The presence of fruit flies may indicate a plumbing issue in your bathroom—a clogged drain, cracked pipes, or busted supply lines. Since these pests love anything damp and enclosed, you’ll find them swarming near the areas with issues.

Fruit Flies in the Kitchen Sink? Call 1st Rooter!

Sometimes learning how to kill fruit flies in drains and following the steps isn’t enough to get rid of them for good.

If you’re experiencing persistent infestations, it’s time to call your local Ontario plumber and have them look at your pipes properly. By getting an expert plumber on board, you’re hitting two birds with one stone—addressing the fruit flies in the sink and preventing further pipe damage.

1st Rooter Plumbing is the leading provider of quick and reliable plumbing services for residential and commercial properties in Hamilton, Oakville, and Burlington. Our experienced team has seen it all when it comes to unclogging drains—kitchen or bathroom—and is on standby to help you prevent fruit fly infestation once and for all! Our lines and emergency services are available 24/7.