Hey everyone,
I keep noticing small flies popping up in my bathroom, even though I clean regularly and don’t leave trash or standing water. I thought keeping everything spotless would prevent pests, but these little guys keep coming back.
I’m starting to think there’s something I’m not seeing — maybe pipes, drains, or moisture issues?
If anyone has dealt with this before, I’d love some insight:
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What hidden spots do flies typically breed in?
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Does this always mean there’s a plumbing issue?
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Are store-bought drain cleaners worth trying, or is this something professionals handle better?
Appreciate any advice!
Drain flies are sneaky. Even if the bathroom looks clean, they breed inside the gunk that builds up in pipes. It’s basically a tiny swamp down there, even if you can’t see it.
Yep, same thing happened to me last year. I scrubbed everything, but they were living in the overflow hole of the sink. Didn’t even know that spot existed until a plumber showed me.
If you’re seeing tiny fuzzy-looking flies, they’re probably drain flies. Regular bleach didn’t help for me — the flies just laughed at it. I had to use an enzyme gel to break down the slime layer.
Not gonna lie, bathroom moisture is a magnet for them. Even clean bathrooms stay damp enough for eggs to hatch. A dehumidifier helped keep them under control in my space.
@HallwayDweller Good point, humidity is underrated. I had them showing up every summer like clockwork until I fixed a slow leak under the tub.
Sometimes it’s not the drain itself but the unused pipes behind the wall. Stagnant water back there creates the perfect environment. A camera inspection found mine.
I used one of those store-bought drain foams. Strangely enough, it helped for a few weeks, then the flies came back stronger. Probably because I didn’t deal with the source.
@TileFixer88 Try taking off your shower drain cover and checking the edges. Mine had a ring of black slime I couldn’t see until I removed it. Super gross, but once I cleaned it out, the flies disappeared in 48 hours.
Also check the toilet base. A tiny crack in the wax seal created a moisture pocket at mine. Didn’t realize flies could breed there but apparently… they can.
Don’t feel bad. Even spotless bathrooms get drain flies because it’s not about dirt, it’s about moisture + organic buildup you can’t see. A targeted drain treatment for a week straight finally did the trick for me.