Flies

I just did battle with sewer gnats last month. I got them from the RV park I live in, and I'm sure other people here have them also. Do you really want something born and raised in sewage flying around in your living space? I do not leave the sewage valves open - never have - and only dump once a week.

I disconnected everything and cleaned all the hoses and connectors, then I cleaned them a second time with bleach. I removed all the washers and rubber seals and cleaned them the same way. I poured a gallon of bleach in the empty black tank and a gallon in the empty grey tank, followed by extremely hot water until both tanks were 3/4 full. Then I went for a drive to get that hot bleach water sloshing around in the tanks.

When I returned I went to the park's sewer hookup and sprayed half a can of Raid Flying Insect Killer down the pipe, hitting the sides so they were completely soaked with it. I gave that about 1/2 hour to do it's job. Then I hooked everything back up, starting with the sewer donut. I used my sewer hose support only on for the last 4 feet of hose, forcing a droop in the hose, which will have the same effect as a p-trap under a sink, in that it will stay filled with water, preventing any flies from coming up.

Only after doing all that did I open the valves and drain my tanks. I have seen no gnats since and am very thankful!

I have had them before and the only thing that really worked was cold weather. I'm in Florida and am not waiting for cold weather.

If you Google "sewer gnats" you'll learn all the juicy facts.

Just yesterday DW accused me of drawing flies in the camper.


Only problem, she was absolutely right.

So I put away my pad and pencil.

Hi,

Do not leave the waste hose connected to the campground sewer until you actually dump. Be sure to rinse the hose well.

I'd vote for a no pest strip on a string so it could be retrieved and thrown away after about a two week cycle to kill off all the larvae.

In side the RV I keep a clear plastic fly paper on the main fluorescent light fixture. Any insects are attracted to that. When it gets too gross--I replace it. Lots of the insects on it are smaller than the weave on my screens.

I saw a hint for getting rid of fruit flies. Take a plastic glass that you can toss and put a couple slices of banana or fruit in it. Cover it with plastic wrap and poke a small hole in the wrap. The flies get in and can't get out. I haven't seen a fruit fly since except in the disgusting cup.

We once had the flies in the black tank. Shut off the water and sprayed a generous quantity of Raid down the toilet. Closed the lid. Flies gone and never came back.

The larvae live in the gunk on the pipes. In my case they were coming up from the shower drain and I have successfully used boiling water poured down the drain to get rid of them.
Last summer they appeared and I had to use the boilng water twice to get rid of them.

Once I had them in the black tank. I sprayed a bunch of insecticide in it through the toilet and that killed them.

Even though they are labeled "for outside use only", I still use the Hot Shot no-pest strips indoors. They are very good for keeping gnats, flies, and no see 'ums at bay.

How about setting off a bug bomb inside. Make sure all flames and any electrical are turned off to prevent ignition.

Option is to keep a spray bottle of "all surface" cleaner handy and spray the flies as they fly around. Flies have a very short life span so if you can keep killing them eventually they are gone due to extinction.