How to Handle Stink Bugs and Drain Flies

When temperatures decrease and the leaves change, pests begin seeking warm shelters to survive the colder season. In North Carolina and Virginia (as well as in most southern states), autumn may bring an influx of stink bugs and drain flies. Although these pests are prevalent during fall, they can create considerable disturbance if not dealt with promptly. At VACO Pest, our family-owned company is ready to assist you in safeguarding your residence against these seasonal intruders.

Stink Bugs: Uninvited Fall Guests

Stink bugs are notorious for finding their way indoors during the fall, seeking warmth and shelter. These pests don’t cause structural damage or pose a health threat, but their presence can be unsettling, and when threatened, they release a foul odor that can linger.

How to Prevent Stink Bugs:

• Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any cracks around windows, doors, and the foundation. Stink bugs can sneak in through the smallest of gaps.

• Use Screens: Make sure window and door screens are in good condition and repair any holes to block their entry.

• Turn Off Lights: Stink bugs are attracted to light. Consider turning off outdoor lights at night or using yellow “bug lights,” which are less attractive to insects.

Drain Flies: Small Pests, Big Nuisance

While stink bugs invade your living spaces, drain flies (often confused with fruit flies) take up residence in your sinks and drains. These tiny flies thrive in moist environments, particularly in slow or clogged drains where decaying matter builds up. Though they don’t bite or transmit diseases, they can multiply quickly and become a nuisance.

How to Prevent Drain Flies:

Keep Drains Clean: Regularly clean your kitchen and bathroom drains with a drain cleaner. For the DIY drain cleaner to tackle drain flies, a common and effective method involves using a combination of salt, baking soda, and vinegar.

DIY Drain Cleaner for Drain Flies:

Step 1: Pour ½ cup of salt down the drain.

Step 2: Follow with ½ cup of baking soda.

Step 3: Pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain immediately after.

Step 4: Let the mixture sit and fizz for a few hours or, ideally, overnight. The chemical reaction helps break down organic material and disrupts the breeding ground for drain flies.

Step 5: Flush the drain with boiling water the next morning to wash away any remaining debris and larvae.

This combination works because:

• Salt acts as an abrasive, helping to scrub away grime in the pipes.

• Baking soda neutralizes odors and helps clean the drain.

• Vinegar reacts with the baking soda to create a fizzy chemical reaction that helps lift debris from the walls of the drain.

  
  

DIY with Commercial Drain Cleaners for Drain Flies:

There are specific commercial drain cleaners formulated to target organic buildup in drains, which is where drain flies breed. Some examples include:

Bio-Enzymatic Drain Cleaners: These products contain natural enzymes that break down organic matter in drains. They are safer for pipes and the environment than harsh chemical drain cleaners. Examples include Bio-Clean and Green Gobbler, which are particularly effective at eliminating the breeding ground for drain flies.

Foaming Drain Cleaners: Products like InVade Bio Foam create a foam that clings to the walls of the drain, allowing for a deeper clean. This type of product is designed specifically for organic buildup and can help with drain flies.

Regular Drain Cleaners like Drano can help clear slow drains or blockages but may not be as effective at eliminating the organic matter that attracts and feeds drain flies. Using a bio-enzymatic cleaner is a better option if you want to specifically target the breeding areas of drain flies.

Fix Leaks: Drain flies breed in standing water. Fix any leaks in your plumbing system to reduce breeding grounds.

Flush Drains: Pour boiling water down drains weekly to prevent larvae from settling.

Prefer Professional Help Dealing with stink bugs and drain flies?

While there are DIY methods for handling stink bugs and drain flies, our professional pest control service ensures that the problem is thoroughly managed. At VACO Pest Management, our trained technicians provides customized pest control solutions that keep these fall invaders at bay. From sealing entry points to targeted treatments, we’re committed to helping YOU protect your home throughout the fall and beyond. Check out our General Pest Plan for more details on how to protect your home.

Our family-operated business understands the unique pest control challenges faced by homeowners in the Charlotte, NC and Richmond, VA areas.

Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you maintain a pest-free home this autumn. NC:  (704) 313-5076 VA:  (804) 213-2630