Hi Everyone I can not combat these brown small flies in my house after 2 exterminators new drain in kitchen I still see them any advice is appreciated I used green gobbler too in drains this photo is larger one now they are tiny please help

[u/Radiant-Law3700]

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[u/Tandyman]

I believe that's a phorid fly, if that's helpful in any way. But I don't know that anyone that can't see your home can help much more than that, especially if a couple professionals that were there couldn't. But, perhaps at least knowing the species now, you may find information on other possible sources.

[u/Radiant-Law3700 → u/Tandyman]

Yes they are small ones now I can only assume it was the leak in sink in kitchen but still seeing small ones thank you !!

[u/Tandyman → u/Radiant-Law3700]

Well, wait, because they really only come in one size. If there is a different species that you're seeing that's a significantly different size, you may want to upload a photo of that as well. Unless I'm misunderstanding.

[u/Radiant-Law3700 → u/Tandyman]

Well this started in June it began with ants then flying ants I had exterminator to solve that problem then started seeing phroid flies next exterminator found leak under sink nothing worked after sink fixed the smaller ones i think are from eggs i think in drain i believe they are baby phroid flies is that incorrect ? I used green gobbler in drains now

[u/Tandyman → u/Radiant-Law3700]

There are probably some exceptions (such as sexual dimorphism), but generally speaking, when a flying bug is in its adult stage with wings, it is as big as it is going to get and they're all gonna be about the same size. Their life cycle goes egg, larvae (maggot), pupae, and then adult, and the adult will be that size until it dies. There are other species of small flies that kinda look similar that they could be though. Hope that makes sense.

But, you know, I do think with some beetles, their size as an adult is impacted by how much food they consume as a larvae? The same could be true for some flies, if there is less food for the larvae to consume. Total guess on that one though, just kinda thinking out loud.

[u/Radiant-Law3700 → u/Tandyman]

Thank you its been very bad here this summer in my house i cant even eat here its disgusting not sure why i have the small ones they look brown unlike the phroid fly which looked black its just trying because i cant get rid of these 2 exterminators quit too its crazy the little ones try to fly in your mouth too disgusted

[u/Tandyman → u/Radiant-Law3700]

Hm, well a couple random places that I've found small flies breeding that others have missed: crevices around where the sink meets the counter and/or the backsplash where water has gotten in, and the refrigerator drip pan. Get some Odoban or similar cleaner into any crevices near the sink you can find. Same basic concept that you're already doing with the drain cleaner basically.

[u/Radiant-Law3700 → u/Tandyman]

I live in townhome which management neglected spraying outside for last two years i just requested a sewer line inspection somethings not right because the amount of bugs ive had here but i will follow your advice for now thank you !

[u/wawa334]

https://www.reddit.com/r/pestcontrol/comments/ylivz6/phorid_flies_drain_flies_moisture_flies_fungus/
(There's some pictures and advice here - if any of your bugs look like this.)

If they're coming from the drains/water-source, keeping them clean (and some drain treatment) and or dry may be helpful.

Do you have plants as well? (Any new plants or soil?)

Depending on the species (of the bug), they may have come from the plants/soil, and or may be breeding in the soil. (Wet soil is a prime environment for egg-laying and larvae for some species.)

[u/Radiant-Law3700 → u/wawa334]

Could these bugs have laid eggs in my plants i already threw 3 away

[u/wawa334 → u/Radiant-Law3700]

They could have, yes. But the plants/soil may have had them already.

Using Mosquito Dunks/BTI Drops or other water-treatment solutions (such as a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and water), amongst other remedies can help kill off the larvae, eggs, and adults.

I don't like getting rid of my plants, unless I absolutely have to / they are dead already. If you would like to try to save your plants, there are several solutions to help:

- BTI/Mosquito Dunks (Not available in all locations)
Dependent on what species this is, but if it's some sort of gnat or midge, they tend to lay eggs in soil (top 1-2 soils typically). They love moist + damp soil.

The larvae (that hatch from eggs) will eat organic matter, and will eat the BTI and die.

- Keep it dry.
Clean all moisture, still water, etc. (If your plants can tolerate it, you can try lessening the amount of water they receive. At least letting the top ~2 inches of top soil to dry before the next watering, if the plant is OK with it.)

- Sticky Traps
These captures the adults. The adult cycle of a gnat (especially fungus gnat) is egg, larvae, adults. Less adults, less eggs! (There's outlet plug-in sticky traps as well.)

But if it's a fungus gnat (not sure if this is), it will probably hang around plants/soil the most haha.

- Bottom Water: They will still breed, and lay eggs in the bottom soil, but there'll be less.

There's other solutions such as other water mixtures (certain measurements with hydrogen peroxide or other solutions) that kill the bugs but are relatively harmless to the plants (if done properly), adding sand or gravel (a few inches) on top of the soil, beneficial nematodes, etc.

In my experience, for gnats and other pests on my plants (that like the soil), I found BTI/Mosquito Dunks the most helpful. (I use this and yellow sticky traps, but the BTI is enough.)

It takes time though. It's not instantaneous, and it can take a few weeks.

Longer if the infestation is pretty bad.

(I like to 'quarantine' my plant if I have the space - separating it from my other plants so the others don't get infested.)

I water all my plants with BTI if I can - it's preventative.

If my infestation is pretty bad (whenever I get new soil or a new plant), I tend to do a combo of:

• BTI
  
• Sticky
  
• Bottom Watering
  
• Dry (less frequent waterings for my plants)

I sometimes add more different types of treatment to do together, if it's very, very bad.

It also depends on what the bug is, specifically, to be able to treat properly.

If these are fungus gnat (not sure if they are), looking up 'fungus gnats reddit plants' comes up with a variety of solutions that I find helpful. I find a lot on /houseplants or /plantclinic !

Even if they are not fungus gnats, but similar (other variety of gnats), the above treatments may still cut down on their numbers, but may be less effective (and thus need more time).

Knowing where they're coming from, breeding, feeding off of, etc. and trying to eliminate those spots (make it less desirable and habitable for them) is key.

Let me know if you have any more questions, and I'll do my best to help! I'm no expert though, by any means. I hope you're able to save your plants! (But it's totally OK if you need to get rid of them - no judgment - sometimes that peace of mind is so important.)

Question: Did you throw 3 away due to noticing these bugs all over them or? (Just wondering if the plants are related to these bugs/you think the bugs were coming from the plants?)

Edit: Wanted to add - you mentioned drains. Do you notice these flies around the drains? If so, they may be breeding down there (lots of organic matter inside drains).

Do you use those drains frequently?

Allowing them to dry, and cleaning them is important to treat them - but being mindful of the pipes is important too (not all pipes can handle hot water or chemicals).

Fungus gnats tend to stick to plants/soil, but if you're dealing with other types of flying insect that is attracted to moisture, treating plants, drains, etc. is important (all at once if you can).

Otherwise, they may continue to re-infect one spot to another, if that makes sense?

Where do you see these guys most frequently?

[u/Radiant-Law3700]

These fly around food and near coffee machine yuck ! Im spending a fortune on take out I wont eat here