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    Val08's Avatar
    Val08 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jul 16, 2008, 08:19 PM
    Drain Flies from pipe in Sump Pump Area
    We've been in our home for two years now. For the first year, we were fine, but this year, we've had record rainfall and billions of drain flies since late February. We didn't know where they were coming from at first, but now we know where... the pipe where the sump pump is located. See attached photo. This is the sump pump and the black pipe that all the drain flies are coming from (located in the storage closet under the stairs of the walkout basement). If it weren't for the fly strips and the light bulb, those thousands of flies would be all over our house... right now they are contained in the closet but not dying despite pouring about 5 gallons of bleach down there and 16 oz. of Invade Bio-Foam. We also have to change the fly strips weekly because they are so covered in flies that there is literally no stick to them. The flies are not in the sump pump itself but they are coming in from the rain water drain off pipe (the black one) that comes into the house; the water drains off into the sump pump area where the pump takes it out of the house through another pipe. So the black pipe is where it's coming from. The pipe itself is clean up to what my husband could reach. He even ran a 25 foot snake down there and still nothing. I would really appreciate any help or suggestions you could give us. We didn't have this problem last year, but we didn't have the record rainfall either. What can we do? As you can see, it is really gross! Help! Oh, and we are on City Utilities, not a septic tank. We have already called five different pest control places who won't touch it (either told us to pour bleach or keep doing what we are doing), one plumber who cleaned sewer lines but told us to call pest control, and an online seller of DYI pest control. We just need some help:(.
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  2. WVHiflyer's Avatar
    WVHiflyer Posts: 384, Reputation: 34
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    #2

    Jul 17, 2008, 01:14 AM
    It sounds like you've done just about everything... any suggestions I usually have about drain flies either wouldn't work here or you've tried it. The first suggestion though, is a screen over the pipe. How much debris comes in with the water? Where is the other end of the pipe, underground, or can you get to it? While waiting fore your answers, I'll cogitate a bit on the prob... <g>
    Val08's Avatar
    Val08 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jul 17, 2008, 06:24 AM
    Hi there,
    We don't have a screen over the pipe. The other end is underground. What kind of screen would you recommend? One that is small enough would keep the adult flies contained, but won't they still breed? Any suggestions would help. Thanks!
    WVHiflyer's Avatar
    WVHiflyer Posts: 384, Reputation: 34
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    #4

    Jul 17, 2008, 06:06 PM
    I think a window screen with small mesh should do it as long as it wouldn't get clogged. If ther's a chance, try a more open screen. And you could always fasten it for easy removal with a large pipe clamp for cleaning. If they breed, they should still be contained(?) And water rushing through should take care of larvae. The prob would be if eggs were washed through... so, try it for a month or so and see if it works, but keep the flystrips up. Hope the suggestions work. Let me know.




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    Val08's Avatar
    Val08 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jul 17, 2008, 07:01 PM
    Thanks so much! We will try that with mire biofoam! :) Hopefully they will die!

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