Australian homeowners have taken to social media to complain about a new plague of “drain flies” sweeping through kitchens across the country.
Scores of Facebook users have posted in recent weeks seeking advice on an influx of “fruit flies” that have invaded their homes.
WATCH ABOVE: The ‘drain fly’ plague is sweeping through Australian kitchens
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“Please help, my kitchen is full of fruit flies,” said a Facebook user on Cleaning & Organizing Inspiration Australia. “I googled everything and tried different traps.
“So far banana in apple [cider] Vinegar works great (lots of dead flies in it). But the new ones keep coming out of nowhere.”
Another wrote: “Anyone else have a fruit fly infestation in their kitchen? They are everywhere and nothing I do gets rid of them.”
A homeowner tried everything she could to get rid of “fruit flies” from her home — before discovering they might just be drain flies. Photo credit: Cleaning & Organizing Inspiration Australia/Facebook
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However, cleaning experts have been quick to point out that the pesky pests may not be fruit flies and could in fact be drain flies.
Drain flies, they say, look and act like fruit flies — but are predominately around kitchen sinks and, you guessed it, finding drains.
You can also find them on the roof of your kitchen or bathroom where your sinks are above.
“I thought I had fruit flies and did everything I could to get rid of them – but nothing worked,” said one.
‘Perplexed’
“Then a friend who works in pest control told me it was more likely drain flies and told me what to do. They were gone forever.
“I had never heard of drain flies before! My mind was overwhelmed.”
Another said: “You’re out the drain. Trust me. We get them in our kitchens and bathrooms, they are a pain in the ass!”
A third wrote: “Release flies. I went insane trying to get rid of fruit flies – turns out they came out of the drain.”
The good news is that there are a few simple steps you can take to get rid of those pesky flies from your sinks.
Drain flies can also be found on the roof of your kitchen or bathroom above your sink. Photo credit: mothers cleaning/Facebook
Most experts and cleaning fans suggest pouring jugs of boiling water down your sink every day until the flies go away. Some also suggest pouring bleach or Domestos and fly spray down the sink to “kill the fly eggs.”
“My pest controller told me to boil the kettle and run it down the drain,” said one. “And if you have a double sink, do both.”
Another added: “Boiling water down the drain – and even spraying some fly spray down there first thing in the morning before water goes down the drain hole so all the bugs are down there.” They come out as soon as you start using the drains.”
A third wrote: “I have the same issue. They keep appearing out of nowhere. I just discovered that they like to lay their eggs in the kitchen sink. I poured Domestos into the sink and left the plug in the sink too.”
Another suggestion: “Pour thick bleach (domestos) down the kitchen sink drain every night and leave the sink plug in 24/7.”
“It will take a few days. I’ve tried everything to rid my kitchen of these tiny flies and since I’ve tried it I’ve been using it whenever they appear, it works.”
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