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Insects · Pest library
Fruit fly and drain fly control in Toronto, the GTA and cottage country
Fruit flies and drain flies are the tiny flies that hover around kitchens, sinks and bathrooms. They breed indoors, so the fix is finding and removing what they're breeding in.
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How to identify fruit and drain flies
Two small flies cause most indoor fly problems.
Fruit flies
Tan with bright red eyes, about 3 mm. They breed in overripe fruit, spilled juice, recycling and drains.
Drain flies
Grey and fuzzy with moth shaped wings, about 2 to 4 mm. They breed in the film that builds up inside drains.
Signs to look for
- Tiny flies hovering over fruit, recycling or garbage
- Small fuzzy flies resting on bathroom walls near drains
- Flies coming back within days of cleaning up
- Flies around floor drains in basements or laundry rooms
Why fruit and drain flies come inside
What draws them in
Both flies need moist, fermenting or decaying material to breed. Overripe fruit, sticky recycling and the slimy film inside slow or rarely used drains are their favourite spots.
Health and home risks
Fruit and drain flies don't bite, but they move between drains, garbage and food and can carry bacteria onto surfaces you eat from.
How we handle fruit and drain flies
Find the breeding source
We check drains, bins, recycling and hidden spills to find where they're breeding.
Clean out drains
Treatment that breaks down the film drain flies breed in.
Remove the adults
Targeted treatment and traps for the flies you see.
Prevent a comeback
Simple routines that stop them breeding again.
Prevention tips
- Keep ripe fruit in the fridge
- Rinse recycling and empty it often
- Clean up spilled juice, wine and pop right away
- Run water in rarely used sinks and floor drains weekly
- Clean sink and floor drains regularly
- Keep compost and garbage bins sealed
Common questions about fruit and drain flies
Where do fruit flies come from?
They're drawn in by the smell of ripening fruit and fermenting liquids, then breed quickly. One female can lay hundreds of eggs, so numbers climb fast.
How do I know if I have drain flies?
Look for small, fuzzy flies resting on walls near sinks, tubs or floor drains that flutter weakly when disturbed.
Related pests
Reviewed by PestDepart's licensed exterminators. For health concerns, including bites or stings, contact your doctor or local public health unit.