Fungus flies are a small fly which needs a lot of moisture to survive. Unlike other small flies which are able to live on most organic matter, fungus flies live on the fungus which is growing in moist and fertile soil, drain line sewage, crawl space algae or some other dark, well shaded moist medium around or inside a structure. These flies are about 1/16″ long and usually black in color.
FUNGUS FLY BIOLOGY
There is not much data available about their life cycle but it is known that they become adults in less than two weeks. It is also known that they need some kine of moist soil or other organic material on which to live and breed. No doubt household plants seem to be able to provide this environment but it could be down a drain line and insinkerators seem to be a favorite nest site.
Such locations typically harbor a never ending water supply which allows fungus to grow which these flies require. In extreme cases, a leak from a water line or roof has lead to infestations.
These flies naturally live outside and are attracted to light. Deck and patio lights will attract them to your home and once inside, they will nest where moisture and fungus is able to accumulate.
HOW CAN A FUNGUS FLY BE A PROBLEM?
There are many reasons why fungus flies can be a problem inside the home and out in the yard.
FUNGUS FLIES IN THE NOSE
Fungus flies are naturally drawn to mammals exhale breath because they’re readily attracted to CO2. That means these little flies can detect human breath which they think is something decomposing. So once in or around the home, fungus flies will find people and focus on our mouth, nose, eyes and other moist areas. And though they don’t bite, its annoying and no doubt disgusting.
HOW TO TREAT A FUNGUS FLY PROBLEM
So for the adults you see flying around, you need to take away their “air space” by using one of our SPACE SPRAYS.
This short video (less than a minute long) gives a brief overview of why space spraying is so easy and so effective using one of our two products listed below.:
As shown in our video, the first option is our MULTIPURPOSE INSECT KILLER. Using it as a space spray will take care of any adults flying around the room you treat. Used like hair spray, it only takes 5-10 seconds of spray in any room and if there are fungus flies around, they’ll succumb to the treatment and die quickly.
Expect to treat 2-3 times a day and focus on rooms with activity. In most situations, it will take 2-3 weeks to break the local cycle and eliminate the source whether you know where that is or not.
For a more permanent solution, install AEROSOL MACHINES in any room with activity. One machine will cover up to 400 sq/ft and requires two double “AA” batteries to keep them running. Set them on shelves or mount them on walls at least 5-6 feet up. The machines will release a subtle 1 second treatment every 15 minutes thus insuring you have an active amount of pyrethrin in the air all the time.
Each machine will need a CLEAR ZONE REFILL which should last 30 days. This can contains the same active as the Multipurpose so it will readily kill fungus flies once treatments begin. Like using the Aquaicde, expect activity to be ongoing for 2 weeks but after that, the life cycle of nesting fungus flies should end so after a month, the problem should be gone. But in the future if they come back, you’ll only need to get refills since the machines are expected to last 5-10 years.
BEST DOWN THE DRAIN TREATMENT FOR FUNGUS FLIES
Ultimately, taking away the reproduction site of the fungus fly is the best solution. By removing where they can lay eggs you can in theory eliminate them altogether. And the best product for this is a combination of two products. First, take away their food with NO SURVIVOR ENZ A BAC.
To treat, simply pour it down the drain pipes and Enz-A-Bac will safely remove the nest sights these flies need for egg laying. USE THIS ONE A WEEK!
The following “short video” (less than 60 seconds) gives a quick summary of what using this once a week will do.
Apply about 2-3 oz per drain per once a week. Do the application late at night, before you retire, when you know the drain will sit for several hours with no one running water. This way the active in the Enz-A-Bac can have it’s best impact by cutting through the slime and organic matter which naturally builds up.
Next, use LEMON AIR DRAIN INSECTICIDE.
This product smells like lemons but is strong enough to control a range of drain living insects like fungus flies, drain flies, crickets, roaches, mites, springtails and more.
The following “short video” (less than 60 seconds) shows just how easy it is to use Lemon Air as needed throughout the week.
Add 2-4 oz per gallon of water and pour 1/2 gallon down any sink drain in the home you want to keep pest free. The lemon scent will also purge all malodor while controlling the nasty pests invading.
Expect to treat twice a week for 2 weeks during the initial clean out. Once the flies are gone, use Lemon Fresh once a month to keep them away for good.
HOW TO KILL MOTH FLY LARVAE CONTROL TRAPS
For the “worm like” larvae commonly seen crawling around shower stalls, tiles and grout work, wipe down the area with the Lemon Fresh as needed. Keeping some in a simple “spray bottle” can be handy too.
BEST FUNGUS FLY TRAPS
If you have fungus flies active around plants, set out FUNGUS FLY TRAPS in their pots and around other areas where you have seen activity. These traps are easy to set out and their yellow color naturally draws fungus flies to their surface. The glue will remain active for up to 90 days but replace sooner if they get full.
FUNGUS FLY ELECTRIC TRAP
Another trap which works great for fungus flies is the SPARROWHAWK. Install one in any room which has a problem and it will quickly start catching flying adults. In fact this trap will catch a wide range of flying pests including but not limited to fruit flies, gnats, flies, ladybugs, mosquitoes, biting midges, thrips, noseeums, fungus gnats, wasps and spiders. And you can set it well hidden behind an appliance or other furniture but target flies will still find it.
DRENCH POTTED PLANT SOIL FOR FUNGUS FLY
Lastly, potted plants should be treated by watering them with an adulticide which can be safely added to your watering can. MULTIPURPOSE INSECT KILLER. is well suited for this job. Its approved for organic gardening and treatments will last 2-4 weeks.
We recommend adding 5 oz of concentrate to a gallon of water and use the mixture to water your plants at least once a month. Use it weekly until you see the fungus flies are gone.
BEST LAWN AND GARDEN FUNGUS FLY SPRAY
Since most fungus flies come in from outside, spray your plants and shrubs with CYONARA RTS. This product can treat up to 16,000 sq/ft per quart and is easy to operate.
Just hook it to your garden hose and treat all turf, flower beds, shrubs, house siding and grass around the home. By controlling fungus flies on your homes exterior, you can keep them from entering the home altogether.
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Jo Rita Nielsen says
Your info is very informative. We are renting an older home while we are building a new home. We have fought these fungus flies for weeks and I have finally found where they are coming from. This house has a walk in bathtub where the mold gnats are coming from. I have sprayed a bleach/water solution under the tub but I can only reach so far. I have also sprayed bug spray under the tub as well and I have hung up the yellow sticky paper. All have left hundreds of dead gnats but they keep appearing in that small bathroom. I’ve thought of getting the aerosol sprayer or a zapper. What do you recommend? I am older and this whole thing is really “BUGGING” me. Please reply. Jo Rita Nielsen
Tech Support says
Jo Rita,
Bleach won’t help. But if you read the article above, for sure the Aerosol Machine with some Clear Zone will kill the ones flying around and is needed.
Aerosol 1000: https://bugspray.com/equipment/foggers/aerosol-dispenser-1000
Clear Zone: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/aerosol/clear-zone-metered-insecticide.html
But what you also need is the Lemon Air for use down the drain and probably where they are coming from:
Lemon Air Down the Drain Insecticide: https://bugspray.com/sanitizer/liquid/lemon-air-sanni-shine
Details on all of these are in the article above.
Technical Support
bugspray.com