If you notice a drain fly infestation in your house, then you’re probably weighing up the different options for removing them. So at some point recently, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Will ammonia get rid of drain flies?”
Fortunately, you’ve found the right article. In this article, not only will you find out how effective ammonia is at getting rid of drain flies, but you’ll also learn the best ways to use it, how to prevent drain flies from returning, and other effective options as well!
So keep reading to find out everything you need to know!
Will Ammonia Get Rid Of Drain Flies?
Ammonia is one of the most effective methods you can use for removing drain flies. And because ammonia is so corrosive, not only will it kill drain flies, but it will also destroy their eggs and larvae as well!
How To Use Ammonia To Get Rid Of Drain Flies?
If you want to use ammonia to remove drain flies, then you’ll just need to do the following:
- When you don’t plan on using the sink again, pour 3 or 4 cups of ammonia down the drain, and then allow it to sit.
- Once morning comes, flush the pipe with boiling hot water.
- Keep repeating this step until the drain flies have been removed permanently.
What To Do If Drain Flies Are Still Returning
The problem with drain flies is that they rarely come from the area you see them. Oftentimes, drain flies migrate from outdoors when they sense areas that are dark, damp, and have plenty of food. So if you’re going to remove drain flies permanently, then you need to make sure you’re removing them from all areas of your home.
Some common locations you can find drain flies include:
- Under loose tiles
- Sink overflows
- Potted plants
- Garbage disposal
- Open trash areas
These are just a few of the locations where drain flies can often be lurking. If you want a complete list of places to look, then check out this article on what to do when drain flies aren’t coming from your drain.
Never Use Bleach And Ammonia
It’s also important to remember that you should never mix bleach and ammonia together. If you mix bleach and ammonia together, you’ll end up creating chloramine gas. While this isn’t as dangerous as chlorine gas, it can still be incredibly harmful and even fatal.
Avoid Ammonia And Bleach
You should also avoid using ammonia and bleach at the same time. When you use both together, they’ll simply cancel each other out, so you’re just wasting your time and money.
How To Prevent Drain Flies from Returning
To prevent drain flies from returning permanently, you’ll need to make sure you’re removing any area that would make a good habitat for them, both inside and outside your home.
You’ll also need to check other areas of your home to see if drain flies are lurking there. The first place to start is any other pipes or drains in your home, but you should also read the article linked above and check those locations too.
Making the house inhospitable for drain flies is the only way to remove them permanently.
Other Effective Methods To Remove Drain Flies
While ammonia is a great way to remove drain flies, it’s not the only method. And sometimes, it might not even be the most effective. Listed below are some more great methods you can use to remove drain flies from your home!
Enzyme Cleaners
Enzyme cleaners are now said to be the most effective technique for getting rid of drain flies in your home. Enzyme cleaners will both eliminate a drain flies’ food source while also killing any eggs that may be present. Furthermore, the cleaner is safe for you and your house, making it the solution of choice.
Drano
Because lye is one of the key chemicals in Drano, it’s no surprise that it’s efficient at getting rid of drain flies. However, if you’re going to use Drano, make sure you keep track of the time. If you leave it for too long, it may cause damage to your pipes.
Remove The Pipes
It’s possible that you’ll need to hire a professional to accomplish this, but removing the pipes is another approach to ensure that they’re thoroughly cleaned. The good news about this method is all of the filth in your pipes will be cleaned, and the drain flies will have nowhere to feed, breed, or sleep.
Vinegar And Baking Soda
Another fantastic option is vinegar and baking soda. However, make sure you don’t use it in conjunction with bleach, as this is going to create chlorine gas which is incredibly toxic.
To use vinegar and baking soda, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain and then slowly pour a cup of vinegar down the drain.
Once you’ve done this, the mixture will begin to bubble and fizz once both have been added. After that, all you have to do is let it stay for an hour in the pipe before rinsing it down with boiling water.
This will get rid of the filth that the flies have been living in, as well as the eggs, larvae, and drain flies.
Recap
As you can see, ammonia is a great choice for removing drain flies from your home, but if you’re not taking steps to prevent them from coming back, it’s not going to be enough.
You’ll also want to make sure that you’re not using ammonia in combination with bleach, as this can be fatal.
Lastly, depending on your needs, ammonia may not be the most effective method for killing drain flies. When this is the case, you can try enzyme cleaners, Drano, vinegar, and baking soda as well.
If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website. Otherwise, have a great day!
