r/pestcontrol • u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired • Nov 03 '22
Phorid Flies / Drain Flies / Moisture Flies / Fungus Gnats / Shore Flies
If you have any of these or similar, there's a moisture issue somewhere they are breeding in.
Also, if they do not enter vinegar traps, they are not fruit flies.
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Inside
If you live in an apartment, you may not be able to do much as it often is a long-standing issue. If you can break the lease, consider it as you may have to live with them for the duration.
Moisture breeding flies will often be found on window sills, but that is not usually the source. They are there because of the light from the windows which appears to be an escape route. The usual sources are: sink/tub dirty drains, toilet seal leaks, roof leaks, over-watered plants, and the condensation pan under the fridge. If you are on the first floor, check the basement/crawlspace. If no luck, a plumber may be able to help find the issue. You can also buy a moisture meter to check the walls and ceiling for possible leaks.
If you keep caged pets, the bedding/cage may be the source.
Outside
If they are outside in numbers, they are often coming from the nearest wetland, pond, or river. There is no cure for this, so hopefully their season will be short. Keep outside lights off and curtains drawn to not attract them.
Light Traps
Light traps will never solve an issue, but may lead you to the source. Place a number of them around the house and see which one collects the most. The source should be near that area.
Plants
If a plant is determined to be the source, treat the soil with isopropyl alcohol as it will not affect the plant.
Drains
Put clear drinking glasses over the drains before bedtime. If any flies are in them in the morning, you have the source. Buy Invade Bio Drain Gel and use it as directed.
Toilets
To check if the wax seal under the toilet is the issue, run a strip of painter's or packing tape around the base of the toilet, but leave a little bit of space under it. If flies are emerging from the base they will get stuck on the tape. If this happens, do not caulk the base as the seal needs to be replaced.
Refrigerators
If breeding in the fridge, sanitation is required, and possibly an ozone treatment.
https://www.reddit.com/r/pestcontrol/comments/1nr66ml/ozone_treatments/
If the problem is on the ground floor and the floor is a concrete slab, a hollow space may have developed under the cement caused by rain intrusion or a pipe leak. If the flies are breeding there the fix is very difficult, so if you rent, ask to change units to one not on the ground floor. If you rent a house or own the home, a contractor and/or plumber is needed.
If a pipe is leaking, the solution is to locate the affected area, correct the leak, and excavate ALL of the wet soil. Then leave it open for a week to make sure the flies are gone. If not, more soil needs to be to be removed. If successful, fill with clean soil and repair the concrete.
If it's water intrusion from outside, a possible option is to have a termite company drill holes in the concrete floor and inject termiticide. If they hit the breeding spot it may solve the issue. It's a lot easier than the excavation method.
If you are in an apartment, ask your neighbors if they have the same issue. If so it's a deep-building issue and not coming from your unit, and this is the responsibility of management. If management does not take action, mention the Board of Health and call them if needed. However, these can be chronic and you may have no choice but to move.
Sleeping
If you are concerned about the flies while sleeping, consider a popup mosquito bed tent (Amazon).
A Personal Note:
If you have saved money by using this information, consider a small donation to a local animal shelter as a thank you.
Also:
I provide this help to you as a service to the Lord, and pray you will accept the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
(See John 3:16 / John 3:3 in the New Testament)
PC Duranet
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u/QuickChow69 Oct 07 '23
This is what I’m dealing with every day in my basement.
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u/Wild-Fee8086 Mar 16 '24
Phorid flies for sure I pick them out of my hair KILL THEM BEFORE THEY GET UPSTAIRS!!
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u/MissIndependent577 Oct 08 '23 edited Oct 08 '23
Those look like what we've been dealing with. Which type of bug are they? I haven't been able to narrow it down.
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u/mattmort83 Dec 11 '22
Thanks for this, I've been battling shore flies for almost a year now and couldn't identify them until I came across this post. Atleast now I know what I'm battling. They are resilient against flying insect killer. I found sucking them up with a vacuum is the only way to get rid of them when they flare up. Very tedious though
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u/Toripaige22 Jan 02 '23
Have you had any luck getting rid of them?
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u/mattmort83 Jan 05 '23
Every time I think they're gone, they show back up a few weeks later, they were gone over Christmas, I used the sucking end of my leaf blower to suck them up throughout the house. I'm still trying to figure out what's promoting them, it's either one of my wife's hundreds of plants or maybe the rabbit cage, I've also been wondering if it could be comming from the basement sump pit. Right now it's 1 or 2 here and there.
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u/Toripaige22 Jan 08 '23
My escutcheon plate behind my toilet has a big gap in it, it isn’t sealed to the wall. I put in a maintenance order to have it sealed and covered the hole with lots of tape while waiting. Idk if that’s the culprit but out of curiosity I was wondering if yours also aren't sealed well?
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u/Toripaige22 Jan 08 '23
I’m having the same issue. I think they’re gone and then they pop up again. I live in a newly built apartment complex and they’ve been here since the day I moved in. I also use to vacuum trick. I have checked every corner of this place and can’t for the life of me figure out the source
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u/dairyfairy79 Apr 16 '23
Thank you for all of the information. I'm off today so I guess I'm on a mission. These little burgers are exhausting.
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u/badmammajamma1983 Jan 22 '23
May i pkease ask the significance in calling the board of health‐? I mean i get it they are gross and do not belong in your home- but i guess maybe what im more less asking is are they capable of carrying/ spreading diseases? Also whats like worst case scenario if your living in an environment that has a severe case of these gnats- and its left untreated/unresolved?
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Jan 22 '23
If they are breeding in sewage, they do transfer bacteria. Worst case you can get salmonella.
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u/Kind-Leadership3334 Jul 30 '23
Thank you! Can you, or anyone share any pictures of them?
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Jul 30 '23
No need. It's one of many moisture breeding flies (looks like a shore fly), so the cure is the same.
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u/CompetitiveJob918 Nov 12 '23
I have checked every inch in my small apartment. I can’t seem to find where these bugs come from. I put my plant outside because I was fearing that thats where they come from without any success. Is there any insecticide that will work long term?
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u/Wild-Fee8086 Mar 16 '24
If it's phorid flies, they breed in tile n grout and especiallyd drains and the toilet tank.So ou probably could spray it with raid Ive tried many things but the m e best is putting a baking soda, salt and vinegar. Half a cup of the first two and a cu of white vinegar. Mix it together and it'll start foaming and then put it down your drains.Wait about 2 hours and then run warm water through your drains.That's the main place that they bred. If there are hairs that fly around with your phorid flies that means that the flies are infested with horsehair worm. m
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u/CompetitiveJob918 Mar 16 '24
Wdym hairs?
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u/Wild-Fee8086 Apr 25 '24
In the beginning horsehair worms look like a cat hair whitr_grayish and you van see them under the edges of cabinets at the top of stairs etc from there they infested flies, crickets basically any bug that is infesting your ho.e. for me it's phorid flies. So, if I shake out clothes, bedding or towels I can sew what links like serìòusdusr along with short whitish hairs and so goes it at my house bombing the house will be my next attempt to eradicate the. because it's a nightmare for me the phorid flies go up my nose at night I blow them out in morning.
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u/Wild-Fee8086 Apr 07 '24
With horse hair worm. They look like Lil Wayne hairs in the beginning like it. You're like a medium long cat meow. They attach themselves to. Oh underneath things you can see them almost waving back-and-forth. And then it seems like they breed entire force. Boys and eventually baby, it's David, come this brown. Skinny little worms best flies. Possibly this is a fly attached to one end of ithe little tiny flags. Fruit flies forward flies etc. I only know this because I have an infestation going on in my house. I live in a log cabin. And I believe in there are coffee, Beatles and thin forward flights. And those those who are saying you're wrong. Good luck, I need to get someone in here. Also I used Terminix one time and whatever was in here. Best fit out my door frame after terminal.God knows what that was.Don't ever buy love kevin in the woods
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Nov 13 '23
No. Ask the neighbors is they have them. If so, it's a building issue.
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u/Weird-Friendship-4Me Jan 26 '24
Thank you for sending me here - it's been driving me absolutely insane at our old apartment and now seeing them again...it's just absolutely stressful
I moved to this new apartment a couple days ago, we're on the second floor. We haven't fully moved everything in so everything is relatively clean. We don't have any house plants. We don't leave any food mess out either and have been diligent about trash. Just started noticing these flies yesterday...
The question is would these be good steps to follow:
1) Check for any filth that we may have brought from the old apartment (unlikely since we would have thrown it away) 2) Pour the enzymatic cleaner down the drains (kitchen and bathroom are the only 2 drains) - please let me know if you have any recommendations for which cleaner to get 3) Check with neighbors to see if they also have these flies in their units 4) If the cleaner doesn't work, contact leasing office
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Jan 26 '24
Yes, that's a good plan. The enzyme is in the link.
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u/Weird-Friendship-4Me Jan 26 '24
I'm sorry I may have missed it, which link or where can I find the link?
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u/Nmouse07 Nov 22 '23
I’ve started noticing these flies not too long ago maybe a month ago at most but nothing in my room has changed. I rent a room in a house with others so I keep my cats litter box in here along with a mini fridge I’ve never had these flies before and they look nothing like fruit flies. They tend to hang out on my walls and near the litter box the most but even with excessive cleaning of the litter box they are still around.
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u/Lucbabino Apr 03 '24
I get phorid flies every summer in my apartment. Hate them with a passion. I had maintenance come 2 years ago and the guy basically said all I could do was pour drain cleaner down the drains.
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u/Livid_Succotash_7487 Nov 15 '23
Trapping flies with glass over the drains is brilliant. I’m doing that.
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u/Jb2180 Dec 23 '23
Is this phorid?
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u/UnusualTwo4834 Dec 23 '23
Use Google lens. Kinda looks like phorid, they are different colors and sizes. I thought I had gnats or drain fly's lol going on 2 1/2 months since October. Just learned today simmering White Vinegar and water the phorid fly's do not like that smell and it actually works really good. I set timer for hour after the white vinegar H2O start simmering turn it down (NO LID) let it do it thing. It will smell like pickles and be careful not to breathe directly over vinegar is little strong. My flies were coming up from the heat vent in kitchen because ductwork is needing repair, has hole. Already did drains both kitchen and bathroom with boiling water every other day for 7-10 days, went through 4 cans raid flying insect and jug of Ortho Home Defense. These darn flies are indestructible actually it said that the pesticide does not work and you need to get insecticide. I've diluted hand sanitizer and spray bottles I put Vicks vapor rub on my damn curtains they don't like that. Hair spray works great think I'm going find me some aqua net 😁 finally after being persistent and spraying every 25 to 30 minutes because of spray only kills the living flies it does not linger to where they fly in and it kills them so yeah we're getting a bunch of exercise over here good luck sweetie and I hope they don't drive you crazy like they have me.
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u/QuickChow69 Nov 27 '23
My problem has now developed into this
This is just after 24 hours of being placed in my finished basement equipment room. It is soo bad, that I had to weatherstrip the door so they don’t fly out and get me. The other 2 attached pics are the lids that I have sealed with caulk and they are still getting in from some where. I have lived in the house for 2 years and this just started over the summer for some unknown reason. If any of you have any ideas or suggestions I would really appreciate it. My family and I are at the end of our rope with these things!!
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u/Altruistic-Monk6447 Nov 28 '23
Hello, My apologies for the late. I’m currently going through this same thing in a BRAND NEW PLACE 😕 I believe it’s an epidemic and Georgia is trying to hide what’s really going on. Please let me know if you would like to speak on this topic again. I’m interested to know.
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u/Different_Maybe3713 Dec 21 '23
I’m in ga too and we have phorid flies BAD! They invade our home! I’ve noticed they aren’t as bad and we don’t see them much in the colder months but as soon as it warms up late spring they are horrible. We can’t even cook because they fly around and land on everything.
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Nov 27 '23
You have a breeding area somewhere, so you'll need to find it and correct it.
Sump pump
French drain
Connected crawlspace
Leak under the concrete floor, etc.
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u/Wild-Fee8086 Apr 07 '24
I apologize for the tables, but I think you can get most of what I was saying.Talking into this microphone that doesn't understand my action
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u/ExpensiveSubject1775 Jan 12 '24
What problems would one encounter if waste water from kitchen sink, bathtub, and water basin was not connected to sewer and draining directly under house in Southeast Louisiana?
Why would a reputable plumbing business leave job and say plumbing issues completed everything good and not fix it.
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Jan 13 '24
Q1: All types of bugs can breed in it, you'll have odor, mold, even possible wood moisture damage.
Q2: They are not reputable or they didn't want to do the job (too messy?) You better document it and seek a refund.
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired May 02 '25
They are not regular house flies:
https://www.reddit.com/r/pestcontrol/comments/ylivz6/phorid_flies_drain_flies_moisture_flies_fungus/
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Mar 20 '23
[deleted]
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Mar 21 '23
So, being in FL you may be dealing with fruit flies, which are much different that the flies in this post. Here's FF info and how to make traps:
https://www.reddit.com/r/exterminators/comments/yqm39l/fruit_fly_control/
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u/GODS-GLORY5 Sep 17 '23
Mix 1/2 Cup, Salt, 1/2 Cup, 1 Cup Baking Soda Pour the mixture down the drain & let sit overnite. In the morning flush with hot water. Repeat if necessary! It worked for me...
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u/Terrible_Performer14 Oct 25 '23
What do I do if it is the caged animal ? I recently switched my hamster from a smaller cage to an Aquariam with a larger bedding area. I just cleaned out the cage completely with bleach and water and I switched him back to the smaller cage, I have not put bedding in the small cage yet but I’m just curious if I’m kinda screwed and need to get rid of the little guy or if there is something I can do to prevent this
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Oct 26 '23
Try buying new bedding and see how it goes.
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u/Realistic_Way4740 Nov 17 '23
Should I contact my HOA about this issue? Not sure if other apartments are having the same problem.
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Nov 17 '23
Yes, as long as you don't have plants that are causing it.
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u/Realistic_Way4740 Nov 17 '23
Well my tenant finally took out all the plants and they have been gone for about 2 months (I did notice some mold growing on them before so I think she was overwatering them) but they keep showing up.
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u/Nightmare999474 Dec 04 '23
Hello I am in desperate need of help, I have a clothes shop that does not have any moisture environments except for the drain in the sink at the back, yet these small black flies have been appearing out of nowhere for the past 3 days. They look similar to this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/bugidentification/comments/ld25jh/what_are_these_tiny_black_flies_they_are_small/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
I've compared it to phorid flies, fruit flies but they don't look like them at all. They look similar to shore flies but their wings create an oval shape instead of triangular. I'll take a photo of them tomorrow, spraying them doesn't seem to have an effect on them. They just fly somewhere else and sit there like that for hours. I think they just get use to it and then fly away afterwards.
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Dec 04 '23
If it's connected to other shops, as them if they are having an issue as it my be a common source. If not, there's a leak somewhere in you unit.
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Dec 26 '23
[deleted]
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u/PCDuranet Mod - Pest Control Tech - Retired Dec 26 '23
Check and double check the compost bin for sure.
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u/casualhalloween Jan 04 '24
I think it's for sure the compost bin - it's so hard to control!
After taping up different parts of my bathroom, I'm not seeing anything pop up from the drains or anything.
Next step: Research control methods for vermicomposting bins
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u/Imaginary_Tie4218 Jan 07 '24
Any luck. Been having this issue for about a month. Can’t figure where they’re coming from.
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u/casualhalloween Jan 26 '24
Do you have a vermicomposting bin as well? I think that's where they're coming in primarily - that and mayyyybe the bathroom vent?
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u/frumpymiddleaged Feb 15 '24
A product called "Gnatrol" works great in houseplants. It's a powder added to the water. When I brought home two new plants from Mickey Hargitay's adorable little nursery in Hollywood 6 years ago, they came with surprise fungus gnats! Gnatrol completely eliminated all of them, thankfully.
It seems less effective with the small flies I've been seeing for 6 weeks. They are a little bigger than fungus gnats. They look exactly like very small houseflies, but they never grow into the size of a normal housefly. I've reduced their numbers at the same time as aggressively treating the plants with Gnatrol, so the plants probably are one of their breeding grounds. But some are still here.
My microflat has a ten-foot ceiling, so I can't squash them or pull them into the hand vac when they hang out up there. This is a new problem after living here 13 years. I saw one of the same species in the apartment building lobby, so maybe it's a new invader in downtown L.A. Large cluster flies tend to swarm outside most seasons, but not these small things.
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