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Author:
Anonymous User
I really am at my wits end I sure hope someone that reads this can help. I started with flies in december,, ended up having drain company out who found blocked drain from upstairs toilet, cleared and inspected found drain elbow had collapsed but this was under foundation of house (directly under downstairs toilet floor which is concrete) they decided to re route the drain, I thought the problem would ease! but no.. so got fumigator out. he did what he had to do that was monday this week. I again thought things were improving.. nope.today they are back loads and loads... the main areas are downstairs toilet, behind my washer and under stairs, all these rooms are near each other.. Ive had enough they are gettting me down, im fed up of squirting fly spray and fed up of crying i want my home back.. help please any advice apprieciated
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Author:
Plumbum (Canada)
There are barriers (trap seals) to seperate the sewage system from your living space.
The fly problem must be in the plumbing systemon on the living space side
Check fixtures, traps and toilet wax seals
Hope this helps
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Author:
Anonymous User
hi thankyou for reply. they are even outside the house .. all round the surrounding area where they are showing in doors.. I really dont know who else to contact that can help me
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
Call the people back who did the spray work and have them spray again. Indoors can be attacked with a small vacuum with a long nose. Those critters are looking for food, and a warm place to breed. Don't make it easy for them.
Best Wishes
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Author:
hj (AZ)
Until YOU, and we, know WHERE the flies are coming from, it impossible to answer your question. However, I doubt that the broken elbow, if there really was one, was responsible for them.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
What type of flies are they...House flies, drain flies?
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Author:
m & m (MD)
Sewer flies look like little F14's with the swept-back wings.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
That must mean they are only equipped with missiles, not cannons.
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Author:
sum (FL)
Are you sure it's plumbing related?
It could be a dead rodent inside your wall cavity attracting all the flies too.
Have you first tried shutting off all windows, doors, close all interior doors to basically isolate your home into multiple "zones" and monitor this for an extended period of time to at least get a sense of the general area where the flies are coming from, then go from there? Also look in the attic to see any flies in there, shut off most of your AC vents and leave one or two open and watch those.
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Author:
Anonymous User
Hi all thankyou ever so much for your replies. They are definatlely sewer flies.. Ive done everything closing doors, windows, had attic checked fumigation etc. The location of these little blighters are in crowds downstairs toilet (coming up through cracks of concrete) this is where they started hence the call to drain firm. Also in crowds behind my washer and understairs. They are now showing outside the house on all three locations. I do get the odd few upstairs. Im wondering if they are in soil in garden as we have had alot of wet weather. Ive got another pest control company coming out Monday.. MORE MONEY they are going to see if they can locate the nest/nests of these annoying things. Ive also started putting ant powder round edges of house outside, im trying everything. If they are coming from the collapsed drain how long before they clear off or die, how long before I see an improvement? Ive no idea on how long they can live, it seems to be a vicious circle at the moment spray them and yet more keep coming thanks guys keep your advice coming please. I really do apprieciate you answering thankyou
ps... drain was re routed 3 weeks ago
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Author:
Fixitangel (NC)
There are several methods; you may have to try several approaches. Google search "how to get rid of sewer flies"
I had a heck of a time getting rid of the pesky little breeders. All they need is a drop of water and some sewer slime or a speck of fecal material and they can set up house very quickly.
First you have to check that their original entry point is sealed. Then you have to go after the nesting sites. Once they get into a house, they can nest inside drains, washer vent standpipes, or the little toilet rim flush holes.
I had to use bug spray in all the drains and the toilet rim holes then hang several glue traps and repeat several times to finally get rid of them.
Good hunting.
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Author:
m & m (MD)
..."downstairs toilet, this is where they started...." Then this is most likely your source area; put all your focus and searching there. It could be a separated/broken joint or pipe. Consider having the sewer pipe video camera'd. When I once had trouble with skunks making nightly visits, someone suggested: stop feeding them. So we stopped throwing our table scraps in the back of the lot. Problem solved.
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Author:
Anonymous User
hi thankyou for your replies. Not had as many indoors today. Not sure if thats because they are going or because its been raining outside all day. Anyway ive been and bought ant powder, insecticide spray and more fly spray. Ive cleaned all the areas that they were in groups/crowds (dead ones) then sprayed the bug spray and laid the powder.Im hoping each new day is a better one.
Oh forgot to mention drain firm did do an inspection with cameras on drains. This is how they found out the drain was blocked and badley blocked too. This was the drain from upstairs toilet, nothing at all was running through, it was all seaping underground, toilet waste, bath water etc. Not even sure how long it could have been like thst as both toilets were flushing fine. It was due to getting so many flies that the drain firm was contacted and found the blockage.
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Author:
m & m (MD)
I think your answer lies in your latest post... There was a blockage in the building drain as you indicate, BUT, your statement also seems to indicate that additionally, there is also a break in the building drain that allowed sewage to seep out of the drain and into the soil. Hence, the flies. So, although the drain may now be open and flowing, you are still faced with the probability that some sewage is still escaping out of the drain and into the soil, which in turn is attracting the flies.
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Author:
Anonymous User
Hi thankyou again. Yes we had blockage then when they inspected the drain with cameras they found the collapsed drain, this was the same pipe that was blocked.
Had another fumigator out today who was lovely and seemed to definatley know his stuff about drain flies. He identified them through the few that had landed this morning on kitchen windowsill, well he said has anyone checked your sink drain or outside drain where sink water goes? I said no.. well he said go get yourself a good drain cleaner and do that first before paying me to fumigate. hes confident thats where the problem is.. so ive done the drain and omg what a smell!! Im hoping hes right and that where they are breeding. Anyway im going to do same with cleaner tomorrow. so fingers crossed guys. Im hoping to be fly free. Thanks again for all your support you have helped me so much. So glad I came across this site ill keep you updated.
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
Boric Acid, is a big word that bugs and insects don't like. Boric Acid can be found in most pest controls. You can buy it at 95% and sprinkle it around carefully. Bugs and insects like to consume it and take it back to the nest where it does great. For the most part, its harmless to humans, but I would still be careful when using the dust/powder.
Best Wishes
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Author:
sum (FL)
Even if you have a broken line outside I still don't understand how they make it into your living space. The trap under your sink should have sealed off any critters from the other side of the line?
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Author:
Anonymous User
thanks wheelchair had a few flies today, ive been out and checked around the drain pulled away some grass that was around the area, there were quite a few dead flies around there. I also noticed an inch and half gap in pointing directly next to drain! not sure if this as been their access to house, but when checking under plinth in kitchen loads of dead ones there too! so hope im getting somewhere now. kind regards
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