10 Ways Get Rid of Phorid Flies Naturally [Explained Step by Step]

Phorid flies are tiny flies that look somewhat similar to fruit flies. They are also called humpbacked flies due to their large rounded thorax region. They are found both indoors and outdoors. They are found mostly near dead and decaying organic matter.

Phorid flies are also called scuttle flies because of their tendency to scuttle across surfaces when they find themselves in danger.

These flies can carry harmful bacteria and are hence labeled as pests. Having knowledge about these tiny flies can help us in controlling them.

How to Get rid of Phorid Flies Naturally? 

Below listed are 10 Natural and Homemade methods to get rid of Phorid flies.

1. Using Sticky Traps

Placing sticky traps near phorid fly infestation is a good, natural way of killing them.

So how do sticky traps kill the flies? The flies get attracted to them and make contact with it. They stick to them are unable to move.

Sticky traps containing pheromones are especially effective in attracting phorid flies. They are commonly available in stores or can be ordered online.

Required Material:

• Sticky trap

Step by Step Process:

• Start by identifying the places where the phorid flies are seen. Food trash containers, rotting vegetation, and drains are some such places.
• Place the traps in those areas.

Precautions:

Stick traps are harmless to people and pests and precautions are not necessary. Keep in mind that these traps only kill adult phorid flies and not larvae or eggs.

2. Bio Sanitizers for Phorid Flies

Use bio sanitizers to clean your drain. Often phorid flies can be found in places like the kitchen sink and other drains. This is because organic matter gets collected there over time.

Bio sanitizers work by breaking down the organic material in the drains and killing the phorid flies. Eggs and larvae are also destroyed in the process. Bio sanitizers are available in stores or can be ordered online.

Required Material:

• Bio Sanitizer

Step by Step Process:

• Identify the drainage areas where phorid flies are breeding.
• Pour the Bio sanitizer into the drain holes according to the instructions.

Precautions:

This method requires some time and results cannot be expected overnight. You might need to repeat the process for several days. Bio sanitizers are usually not toxic, but you need to follow instructions regarding their usage.

3. Get rid of Phorid Flies using Bleach

Phorid flies can be found breeding in drain holes if there are deposits of organic matter in them. Using a combination of water and bleach can get rid of phorid flies in your drain. Bleach is easily available in stores.

Required Material:

• Water
• Bleach
• A container

Step by Step Process:

• Mix bleach and water in an equal ratio.
• Fill the container with the solution.
• Pour it into the drain holes.

Precautions:

This bleach solution can kill only adult phorid flies. The larvae and eggs survive. You also need to be careful not to add bleach in high concentration as it can damage the insides of the plumbing.

4. Essential Oils to Get rid of Phorid Flies

Essential oils like peppermint, cinnamon or eucalyptus oils can kill phorid flies. Phorid flies are not attracted to the smell of essential oils. The trick is to spray it directly on the flies. Essential oils are easily available in stores.

Required Material:

• Essential Oil (Eucalyptus, Cinnamon or Peppermint). You may even try mixing them together
• Warm water
• A spray bottle

Step by Step Process:

• Fill the spray bottle with warm water.
• Add about 20 ml of the essential oils.
• Spray it directly on the phorid flies. They drop dead very quickly.

Precautions:

This method works only on adult phorid flies. Larvae and eggs are not affected. Take care to spray in a fine mist so it hits more of the flies.

5. Electrocuting Insect Light Trap

Electrocuting Insect Light Trap also known as Bug Zapper is used to attract flies with the help of Ultra Violet rays. This light trap has two metal grids covering it which have a high voltage.

The flies get electrocuted when they are caught between the grids. These light traps are easily available in stores.

Required Material:

• Electrocuting Insect Light Trap

Step by Step Process:

• Find out areas where the phorid flies are normally seen.
• Hang or place the light traps in those areas.

Precautions:

Be aware that only adult male phorid flies are attracted to the UV rays. It is ineffective against the females who are not attracted. You may also need more than one light trap to place in different areas.

6. Baking Soda, Salt, and Hot Water

This combination can be used to get rid of phorid flies in the drain or kitchen sink hole. These areas attract phorid flies due to the presence of organic matter that get collected there.

Pouring a mixture of baking soda, salt and hot water down the drain or sink can get rid of the flies.

Required Material:

• Baking Soda
• Water
• Container to hold the mixture

Step by Step Process:

• Add half a cup of baking soda to the container.
• Add half a cup of salt.
• Pour a cup of hot water.
• Mix well.
• Pour the mixture down the drain or sink. After 10-12 hours pour hot water to clean out the drain hole.

Precautions:

Only adult phorid flies are killed by this method. Any eggs or larvae are not affected.

7. Use of Boiling Water

This is probably the simplest method to get rid of phorid flies in the drain or sink. This involves pouring boiling water in the drain hole. This kills the adult phorid flies which may be breeding inside.

Required Material:

• Water
• Container to hold the water.

Step by Step Process:

• Boil the water.
• Fill the container with it.
• Pour it into the drain holes.

Precautions:

Boiling water will not kill any eggs or larva. You will have to repeat this process several times in order to kill all the adult phorid flies.

8. Electric Fly Swatter

Electric Fly Swatter is a bug zapper that can be used to kill phorid flies. This bug zapper looks like a tennis racket and is powered by batteries.

It works on the same principle as the insect light trap, except it doesn’t use UV rays to attract the phorid flies. The metal grids get electrically charged on the press of a button and the flies get killed on contact with them. Unlike the UV ray

Required Material:

• Electric Fly Swatter

Step by Step Process:

• Find out the areas of phorid fly infestation.
• Hold the electric fly swatter in your hand.
• Press the button and swat the flies.

Precautions:

Make sure to hold the button down continuously to electrify the grids. Electric fly swatters are normally safe for people as they don’t have enough charge to harm them.

9. Funnel method

This is a simple method that can be used to get rid of phorid flies. For this bait in the form of decomposing organic matter is used.

This is kept in a jar and covered by funnel-shaped paper with a tiny hole at the end. The flies are able to get in but unable to go out the same way.

Required Material:

• Jar
• Phorid fly bait like rotten or decomposed food or plants.
• Funnel-shaped paper with a tiny hole at the tip.

Step by Step Process:

• Place the bait in the jar so that it fills about an inch or two from the bottom.
• Place the funnel in the jar with the tip pointing down. Take care that it does not touch the bait.
• Wait for a few hours or leave it overnight at a place where the phorid flies were seen.
• The adult flies will die in the jar but to destroy the larvae and eggs you must keep the jar in the freezer for a few hours afterward.

Precautions:

Take care not to make the funnel hole too large. It should be very tiny. It should be just big enough for the phorid flies to get in.

10. Plastic Wrap Method

This is another simple method that can be used to get rid of phorid flies. The concept is similar to the funnel method. Bait is kept in a bowl and covered by a plastic wrap with tiny holes in it. The flies get in and die trying to get out.

Required Material:

• Bowl
• Bait food like rotten or decomposed food or plants
• Plastic wrap
• Fork or needle

Step by Step Process:

• Place the bait in the bowl so that it fills about an inch or two from the bottom.
• Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap.
• Prick a few holes in the wrap with the fork or needle.
• Wait for a few hours or leave it overnight in a phorid fly-infested area.
• As with the funnel method, the adult flies will die in the bowl but you need to keep the container in the freezer for a few hours afterward in order to destroy larvae and eggs.

Precautions:

The holes must be very tiny. Big holes will enable the phorid flies to escape.

How to Prevent Phorid Flies Naturally?

We have looked at some of the best natural methods of getting rid of phorid flies. Now let’s discuss some of the natural ways of preventing them from visiting your home.

1. Clean wall cracks

Phorid flies are attracted to decaying organic matter. If you see them coming out from cracks and holes in the wall it means there is organic matter lying somewhere in those cracks.

It can be food or dead insects, bugs or even rodents. Clean the area regularly to remove any such waste matter.

2. Cleaning and Maintaining Floor

Like walls floors too can have cracks. Organic matter can get inside them and start rotting. If you see any such organic matter deposits on inspection it should be removed first. This will prevent phorid flies from breeding in it.

3. Removing the food source

Garbage disposal cans can be breeding grounds for phorid flies due to the presence of rotting food. Similarly, food packets and containers attract these flies in large numbers.

Dispose of waste food quickly and do not keep them in the house for long. Clean garbage cans regularly avoid placing food in the open. Close garbage cans when not in use. Removing these food sources will help prevent phorid flies.

4. Drainage and Plumbing Maintenance

Leaking pipes and cracked sewer tanks are breeding grounds for phorid flies as they thrive in moist conditions. Repair any cracks and clean the areas around the plumbing.

Kitchen sinks or other drain holes need to be cleaned in order to prevent clogging. Make sure no organic matter is found in the plumbing to keep phorid flies out.

5. Soil Maintenance

Phorid flies can be found in the soil where potted plants grow. This soil may contain waste organic matter which attract the flies. Remove the soil and replace it with fresh soil to prevent the phorid flies from breeding in it.

6. Treat Cuts or Wounds

Cuts and wounds in the body should not be left untreated. Phorid flies are attracted to open wounds. In fact, phorid flies are a major nuisance in health care facilities.

Phorid larvae have been known to feed on living tissues and cause wound myiasis. It becomes essential to take care of wounds or cuts in the body and not allow them to fester in the open.

Top 5 Natural Repellents to Get rid of Phorid Flies 

If you are looking for readily available natural repellent, below are 5 best Natural/Organic repellents to get rid of Phorid flies available online.

Final words:

Phorid flies can cause a lot of damage because they carry bacteria. Maintaining a clean and healthy environment, therefore, becomes important if we are to prevent these pests from infesting the house. We have listed several methods to prevent and get rid of phorid flies. We hope you enjoyed reading this.