Drain flies? Do I really have to 'drill hole in the shower tray'?

[whenwillisleepagain]

Spotted some little black flies around our flat recently. Initially thought they were fruit flies, which are a pain but at least I know how to get rid of them. However these pesky creatures are not interested in fruit and after googling I decided that they are most likely drain flies - as although I don't have too many, they are appearing near kitchen sink and in walk-in-shower. Something I looked at suggested what sounds like a very extreme measure of drilling a hole in the shower tray as they apparently breed in the trap. Will Mr Muscle not do? [anxiety attack at thought of me or DH with drill].

Would be grateful if anyone has any advice

very silly idea

sorry.

drilling a hole will mean the water leaks out onto the floor.

I have never heard of drain flies. What country are you in?

Start by cleaning the trap and the overflow with washing soda and hot water. You don't pour fat down the sink, do you?

If you are in the uk they are probably in your houseplant soil.www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/pests_and_diseases/identifier.shtml?black_fungus_gnats

Thank you both - we are in East London, and no, I had never heard of drain flies either. Am now wondering if they are just some other sort of small black flies. I am not sure they are fungus gnats moomin as I don't have any houseplants but on the other hand I felt they might be congregating around some gardening gloves which I have had in the kitchen (yup bad idea, now gone outside). piglet your advice sounds good - I am a slattern about lots of things but I never put fat down the sink.

I put fat down the sink am I not supposed to? I do run it down with really hot water and washing up liquid though.

I've had some of these little black flies in my house especially in my bathroom. There seems to be a few of these around this year, maybe due to the damp weather I don't know.

quite apart from fatbergs in the sewers it will clog your own waste pipes and drains. Pour it into an empty tin, either put it out when solidified for the birds, or put it on your bonfire/barbie, or sling it in the bin. If it is oil, put your tissues or kitchen roll bits in the can to soak the oil up.

sewer fat