What does a moth fly look like?
These flies are also known as moth flies due to their appearance: they are small and furry with large, ovoid wings and prominent antennae. When at rest, the drain fly folds its wings over the body in a characteristic roof-like manner.
How do you identify moth flies?
Moth Flies Most species are black, but at least one commonly encountered species is mousy brown. Antennae are 13-segmented, with each segment having a bulbous swelling and circle of long hairs. Moth flies are weak flyers and can be carried on the wind from their breeding sites to structures.
Are moth flies and drain flies the same?
What Are Drain Flies? Drain flies commonly go by a few nicknames such as moth flies or sink flies. They are about the same size as gnats and fruit flies—between 2mm and 5mm—but can be distinguished by their small, moth-like wings and round, fuzzy bodies.
What are moth flies attracted to?
Sewage treatment plants are another place where moth flies may be found in abundance. These flies are also commonly attracted to lights at night.
How do I get rid of moth flies?
A super simple fix is to pour boiling water down the drain to eliminate drain flies. Boil a medium-size pot of water once or twice per week, and pour down and around the drain. Another easy option uses baking soda: Combine 1/2 cup salt with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, and pour down the drain.
What bug looks like moth?
Drain flies are just as often called moth flies because of their shape and the fact that they have hairy wings and a fuzzy body like moths. Because they are very tiny, 1/8-inch, it’s best to use a magnifying lens to see these features.
How do you get rid of moth flies?
What bug looks like a fly and a moth?
drain flies
Psychodidae, called drain flies, sink flies, filter flies, sewer flies, or sewer gnats, is a family of true flies. Some genera have short, hairy bodies and wings giving them a “furry” moth-like appearance, hence one of their common names, moth flies.
Why are there so many flies in my house all of a sudden?
The most common reason for flies swarming all over your house is an infestation inside or nearby your home. If you suddenly see a swarm of flies that means dozens of eggs have already hatched and developed into flies. The source is likely inside your house, garage, attic or garden.
Are moth flies harmful?
Drain Fly Damage Drain flies are not dangerous to humans or cause structural damage, but they become a nuisance in large quantities. Even though these pests eat sewage, they are not known to transmit any harmful bacteria.
How big does a moth fly get and what does it look like?
Read our mosquito prevention tips. Moth flies are approximately 1/8 of an inch in length, with their entire body and wings covered in tiny hairs, giving them a moth-like appearance. Most species are black, but at least one commonly encountered species is mousy brown.
Where do moth flies or drain flies live?
Moth flies or Drain flies (Psychoda sp.) In nature, moth fly larvae normally occur in aquatic habitats that experience intermittent submersion. They reproduce in polluted, shallow water or highly moist organic solids where they feed on decaying organic material in mud, moss or water.
What kind of moth flies in a zigzag fashion?
To identify such a moth, they tend to fly in a zigzag manner, they are pale grey in color, with a copper luster on their forewing. Pantry moths tend to reproduce rather quickly especially if they’re innate breeding space. Once the female lays eggs on the food, the eggs quickly hatch to larvae.
How can I get rid of moth flies in my house?
Keep the glue boards from adhering to the floor by making a small collar for the drains. Use some heavy cardboard and form it into a circle slightly larger than the drain cover (1 inch tall). Leave in place overnight or for a few days to catch flies. Also, tap loose ceramic floor tile with a broom handle in a wet room near the drain.