Get Rid of Phorid Flies

Identify

• The phorids, also known as humpbacked flies, are small flies that resemble Fruit Flies in appearance. They are usually tan to dark brown. The Phorid Fly lacks the red eye color that is the classic trademark of the  Fruit Fly.
• Phorid Flies are in the small category of flies, measuring up to 1/8 inch in length, including the wings.
• The most prominent feature of this fly is the humpbacked shape of its thorax. The severe arch of the thorax gives it the common nickname of a humpbacked fly. A key identifying trait is that the adult Phorid fly has a distinctive habit of running rapidly across surfaces instead of immediately flying when disturbed. Most flies immediately take flight.
• Phorid flies are also known as coffin flies when found in mortuaries and mausoleums.
• Phorid flies have also been found to breed in poorly stored meats, damaged containers of moist foods, and organic-based glues and paints.

Inspection

• Adult Phorid flies are fairly common in many habitats but are most abundant about decaying plant and animal matter. When searching for Phorid fly breeding sources, remember that the larva can only survive in decaying organic matter that is moist.
• Phorid flies can be found in structures where moisture exists around plumbing and drains in bathroom and kitchen areas, garbage containers, garbage disposals, crawl space areas, and basements.
• When searching for the breeding sources of phorid flies, keep in mind that the larvae can survive only in moist, decaying organic matter. The first spot that should be checked is the floor drains if any are present. Fly larvae live in the moist film that develops on the sides of a drain and in debris that may become trapped on the drain's edge. The presence of numerous adult flies inside a drain is a good sign that the drain is a breeding site. Use a knife or screwdriver to scrape the film off the sides of the drain and examine it for live larvae.
• Occasionally, drain pipes will break under slab floors, and Phorid flies can breed in immense numbers in the organic debris deposited through the break in the pipe under the slab.
• To determine if Phorid flies are exiting through cracks in a floor or from a drain, place pieces of masking tape over the crack or the drain opening. Leave space between the strips of tape to allow air movement for the flies to follow. If flies are exiting the openings, some of them will become stuck to the tape.
• Other areas to check are where any fruits or vegetables or stored outside of refrigerators or coolers. Also, inspect recycling bins, garbage cans, and underneath refrigerators.
• In commercial and residential structures, tiny amounts of organic debris are often found where the legs or feet of appliances, tables, or cabinets touch the floor. Restaurants, bakeries, and food processing facilities use water hoses to wash the floors. Water under pressure can force food debris and moisture into the cracks and crevices where it ferments and starts breeding sites. These breeding sites can harbor thousands of fly larvae. All small cracks and crevices at floor level need to be inspected and thoroughly cleaned. Use a small spatula or knife to scrape any debris from inside the cracks and crevices to check live larvae.
• These flies are not always breeding near where they are found. Because these flies can fly, the breeding source can be located in another area. Phorid flies easily follow air currents and usually have a lot of breeding places in any structure.
• Trash containers, which are not cleaned regularly, are another source for Phorid flies.
• Other sites where Phorid flies might be found include garbage disposals, rotting meat and vegetables, the overwatered soil of potted plants, and fresh flowers in vases. They have also been found breeding in dirty mops in janitor closets and laundry rooms, animal feces, faulty septic systems, and human corpses.
• Don't stop looking when one breeding source has been found. In most cases, several breeding sources will be present.

• Adult phorid flies are most active during the warmer months of the year but can be active during the winter months.
• The Phorid fly is common in many habitats but is more abundant in decaying plant and animal matter.
• Phorid flies breed primarily in and feeds on the moist decaying organic matter. The phorid fly can be found breeding wherever moisture exists, such as around plumbing and drains in bathrooms and kitchen areas, garbage containers, crawl spaces, and basements.
• Because it frequents unsanitary areas (with the ability to spread disease-causing bacteria onto food products), this fly is of particular concern to hospitals, healthcare facilities, and restaurants. Open wounds of patients in healthcare facilities often house phorid fly larvae.
• The Phorid fly life cycle is egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. Phorid flies deposit eggs on or near surfaces of decaying organic matter. The female phorid fly will lay about 40 eggs over 12 hours. The larvae emerge and feed for several days, then crawl to a drier spot to pupate. The life cycle varies from 14 days to 37 days.

• Look for these flies in various locations. Inspect plumbing and drains in bathroom and kitchen areas, garbage bins, garbage disposals, crawl space areas, wall voids, or basements where plumbing leaks can provide wet areas with mold or fungal growth. Also, check damp mop closets and condensation drip pans beneath refrigerators.

• Inspect the decaying plant and animal matter.

• Maybe the solution may be simple, like throwing away a piece of rotting fruit found under the stove or cleaning a drain.

• Bleach and hot water WILL NOT eliminate fly larvae breeding in a drain. The film of organic matter which lines the drain is where the larvae live. This film must be removed to kill or remove the larvae. You can remove this film by using a brush and a mild bleach solution. Water can then be used to flush the drain thoroughly. Cleaning infested drains initially is quite often a messy job, but future cleanings will be much easier.

• An alternative is to use Invade Bio Drain. It is a beneficial bacteria that, when poured down the drain begins to digest the film of organic matter. When this organic film is gone, the flies have nowhere to lay their eggs.

• Adult phorid flies are most active during the warmer months of the year but can be active during the winter months.
• The Phorid fly is common in many habitats but is more abundant in decaying plant and animal matter.
• Phorid flies breed primarily in and feeds on the moist decaying organic matter. The phorid fly can be found breeding wherever moisture exists, such as around plumbing and drains in bathrooms and kitchen areas, garbage containers, crawl spaces, and basements.
• Because it frequents unsanitary areas (with the ability to spread disease-causing bacteria onto food products), this fly is of particular concern to hospitals, healthcare facilities, and restaurants. Open wounds of patients in healthcare facilities often house phorid fly larvae.
• The Phorid fly life cycle is egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. Phorid flies deposit eggs on or near surfaces of decaying organic matter. The female phorid fly will lay about 40 eggs over 12 hours. The larvae emerge and feed for several days, then crawl to a drier spot to pupate. The life cycle varies from 14 days to 37 days.