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    violettaviola's Avatar
    violettaviola Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 19, 2010, 12:52 PM
    Shower vent moth fly drainage trap
    We have had little black drainage flies in our bathroom for quite sometime, the master shower which is lined with ceramic tile. People come to clean once every 2 weeks. I have poured bleach and Draino down the drain, but the flies keep coming back. I plan to try this Orange Citrus Drain and Disposer Cleaner, bleach and recaulk the shower, but I have a feeling it won't get rid of the problem. Coiuld these be coming from the roof vent to the shower, could it be from the drain trap, or could it be a mold problem behind the tiles? Could the builders of the house be liable for this drain fly problem? At wits end! Any help would be appreciated?
    Catsmine's Avatar
    Catsmine Posts: 3,826, Reputation: 739
    Pest Control Expert
     
    #2

    Jan 19, 2010, 01:34 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by violettaviola View Post
    Coiuld these be coming from the roof vent to the shower, could it be from the drain trap, or could it be a mold problem behind the tiles?
    They could be coming from any of these. The most likely suspect is from eggs laid in the organic buildup along the sides of the pipes. You will need an enzyme drain cleaner to remove the buildup so the larvae have nothing to feed on.

    Occasionally they can lay eggs in soil under a slab and the larvae can get in if the tile is laid directly on the concrete. In that case sealing is the only remedy.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #3

    Jan 19, 2010, 04:51 PM

    You are infested with Moth/Drain/ Flies.


    Moth or drain flies are small black flies which
    Thrive in drain pipes and sewer lines. They need
    A lot of moisture to complete their life cycle.
    Drain flies do not fly well. They tend to drift
    And seem to float along more than fly. Their
    Wings are shaped like a leaf of a plant and one
    Can see hair like fibers on all parts of their
    Body which is why they are also called moth flies.
    I have dealt with drain fly infestations in
    Many homes which start in the sink or bathroom
    Shower. The drain lines which have the most
    Activity seem to be the ones most likely to have
    An infestation. I have also observed that homes
    With septic tanks seem most likely to get them.
    I am not sure if there is some kind of build up
    Which occurs more with this type of drainage
    Or if there is something in the tank which allows
    These flies to prosper. Although these homes
    Seem more likely to get drain flies, once the
    Cycle begins it takes place in the home. I have
    Encountered several infestations where the larva
    Were found crawling out of shower or bath tub
    Drains. The homeowners thought they were some
    Kind of leach. In fact, the larva of drain flies
    Thrive in a slime buildup which is on virtually
    Any drain pipe which is used a lot. This slime
    Enables the eggs which are laid to be protected
    And sheltered. The eggs and hatching larva
    Embed themselves in this slime so they don't wash
    Away. The cycle of these flies takes around
    A month to complete. Don't waste your time with
    Bleach or other cleaning solvents. Showers and tubs
    Which have ceramic tiles may also supply a moist
    Slimy environment in which they can live. Sump
    Pumps and wet crawl spaces are other environments
    Where I have seen them live. Drain flies can be harder
    To control than other small flies. Although
    There are several products to kill adults, the
    Key is maintaining and minimizing their breeding
    Areas. This could prove to be difficult and
    Ongoing.
    Like most flies, there are several products
    Available for their control. Use a "SPACE SPRAY"
    For immediate relief of the adults. There are
    Several to choose from in the section below.
    This will quickly control the adults, but the
    Secret to getting rid of them is to use a
    Product we sell which removes the slime build
    Up on drain pipes. By removing this slime, the
    Larva cannot develop. This will stop the cycle.
    In the "SURFACE SPRAY" section below, look for
    The product called SURVIVORS. This is applied
    Down drain pipes and will remove the nest sights
    These flies need. You may also use the product
    Called PT-CYKICK which is located in the same
    Section. It is ideal for treating in cracks and
    Crevices where these flies like to lay eggs. Such
    Cracks will develop around ceramic tile, windows
    And grout joints.
    They are difficult to get rid of , I know I was infested for more then three months.
    Good luck, Tom
    Catsmine's Avatar
    Catsmine Posts: 3,826, Reputation: 739
    Pest Control Expert
     
    #4

    Jan 19, 2010, 05:57 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    You are infested with Moth/Drain/ Flies.


    Moth or drain flies are small black flies which
    thrive in drain pipes and sewer lines. They need
    a lot of moisture to complete their life cycle.
    Drain flies do not fly well. They tend to drift
    and seem to float along more than fly. Their
    wings are shaped like a leaf of a plant and one
    can see hair like fibers on all parts of their
    body which is why they are also called moth flies.
    I have dealt with drain fly infestations in
    many homes which start in the sink or bathroom
    shower. The drain lines which have the most
    activity seem to be the ones most likely to have
    an infestation. I have also observed that homes
    with septic tanks seem most likely to get them.
    I am not sure if there is some kind of build up
    which occurs more with this type of drainage
    or if there is something in the tank which allows
    these flies to prosper. Although these homes
    seem more likely to get drain flies, once the
    cycle begins it takes place in the home. I have
    encountered several infestations where the larva
    were found crawling out of shower or bath tub
    drains. The homeowners thought they were some
    kind of leach. In fact, the larva of drain flies
    thrive in a slime buildup which is on virtually
    any drain pipe which is used a lot. This slime
    enables the eggs which are laid to be protected
    and sheltered. The eggs and hatching larva
    embed themselves in this slime so they don't wash
    away. The cycle of these flies takes around
    a month to complete. Don't waste your time with
    bleach or other cleaning solvents. Showers and tubs
    which have ceramic tiles may also supply a moist
    slimy environment in which they can live. Sump
    pumps and wet crawl spaces are other environments
    where I have seen them live. Drain flies can be harder
    to control than other small flies. Although
    there are several products to kill adults, the
    key is maintaining and minimizing their breeding
    areas. This could prove to be difficult and
    ongoing.
    Like most flies, there are several products
    available for their control. Use a "SPACE SPRAY"
    for immediate relief of the adults. There are
    several to choose from in the section below.
    This will quickly control the adults, but the
    secret to getting rid of them is to use a
    product we sell which removes the slime build
    up on drain pipes. By removing this slime, the
    larva cannot develop. This will stop the cycle.
    In the "SURFACE SPRAY" section below, look for
    the product called SURVIVORS. This is applied
    down drain pipes and will remove the nest sights
    these flies need. You may also use the product
    called PT-CYKICK which is located in the same
    section. It is ideal for treating in cracks and
    crevices where these flies like to lay eggs. Such
    cracks will develop around ceramic tile, windows
    and grout joints.
    They are difficult to get rid of , I know I was infested for more then three months.
    Good luck, Tom
    Where'd you copy this from, Tom?
    The links to the products are missing.

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