No, Drain Flies Do Not Bite
Drain flies, also known as moth, sewer, or filter flies, are tiny, dark-winged gnats with round, fuzzy bodies. Unlike other species of flies, they do not bite or sting humans or animals. This also means they do not easily spread diseases to humans.
Flies feed and breed in damp places where there’s decaying organic material and dirty water. They like drains because they provide them with an ideal environment for breeding.
While not a cause for panic, this should be handled. The department of health in most cities will cite businesses that have drain flies, so let’s also assume they are not the most cleanly thing to have flying around!
Large infestations can also affect people with bronchial asthma, making their conditions worse.
What if you see bites and have drain flies?
Red and itchy bites on your skin are not from drain flies. If they are in fact bites, they could be from other insects found in your home.
Bedbugs
Bedbugs are mostly reddish-brown with a flat oval-shaped body with no visible wings. Bed bug bites are usually red, very itchy, and occur on parts of your body left exposed while you sleep, including your face, neck, arms, hands, and feet.
You can find these bugs in small cracks in your bed and furniture, seams of chairs and couches, in curtain folds, under loose wallpaper, and other cracks and crevices around where you sleep.
Fleas
Fleas are tiny, wingless, bloodsucking, jumping insects, usually dark-colored. Their bites are typically itchy and painful and can transfer disease to humans. The chances of you getting flea bites are higher if you have pets.
Flea bites can easily be mistaken for bed bug bites as both types are usually itchy and found in lines or clusters. However, fleas commonly target your feet, legs, armpits, elbows, and knees.
Mites
Mites are small insect-like critters whose bites are tiny. Like other bug bites, they don’t create a noticeable puncture. Mites bite symptoms include a red rash, hard or inflamed bumps, itchiness, and swollen skin.
Other common bites could be mosquitos, spiders, lice and ticks. Before seeking a prevention or control method, ensure you correctly identify the insects causing the bites. If you have any difficulties, consider getting the help of professional exterminators.
Keep your home free from drain flies?
Drain flies thrive in areas with moisture – shallow, stale, or stagnant water – and organic debris. Clogged and greasy drain pipes in your kitchen sinks and bathroom drain, compost piles, storm drain with standing water, sewers, and septic tanks provide the ideal breeding grounds. Keeping your home free of drain flies means ensuring they do not have breeding grounds.
Cleaning drains and fixtures containing organic matter and debris is an excellent place to start. Use wooden sticks with flagged margins, a stiff brush, or a drain snake to organic matter and clogs from your pipes.
Checking for drain flies in your basement is also recommended. Fly larva might be difficult to see, but can be spotted on some occasions.
Consider also using a drain gel or drain fly killer to eliminate organic matter in your drains. If you already have an ongoing infestation, consider getting professional help if you cannot control it using natural and chemical options.