Tiny moth-like flies hovering around the kitchen or bathroom sink are drain flies, and they live in the slime inside your drain. Here is how to clear them from a Detroit home.
What drain flies are
Drain flies breed in the organic film that coats the inside of drain pipes. They lay eggs in that gunk, and the adults you see are only the visible part of the problem. Killing the flies without cleaning the pipe just means a new batch next week.
Confirm the source
Cover the drain with tape overnight with the sticky side down. If flies are stuck to it in the morning, that drain is the breeding site. In Detroit homes with a seldom-used guest bath, a dried-out trap is often the culprit.
The right way to clean
Scrub the inside of the drain with a stiff brush, then flush the line with boiling water. Repeat for a few days. Drain cleaners rarely remove the film the larvae need, so mechanical cleaning matters more than chemicals.
When the problem is deeper
If flies return after thorough cleaning, there may be a crack in the pipe or a floor drain that is holding water. freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older homes still have aging galvanized pipes A pro can inspect the line and find the hidden breeding spot.
Clear it for good
A clean drain is a fly-free drain. If a DIY attempt stalls, call 888-217-3585 and Detroit Plumbing Pros will connect you with a Detroit pro who can clean the line and stop the cycle.
Plumbing in Detroit: what to know
In Detroit, freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older homes still have aging galvanized pipes. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Wayne County — from Highland Park, Hamtramck and Hazel Park to ZIP codes like 48206, 48202, 48238 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Detroit?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Detroit Plumbing Pros will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Detroit.