Drain Fly (also known as Moth Fly or Sink Moth)
Scientific Name: Clogmia albipunctata (a common species) or family Psychodidae
Order & Family: Order: Diptera (Flies), Family: Psychodidae
Size: 1.5 to 5 millimeters
Natural Habitat
Damp environments rich in organic matter, such as bathroom and kitchen drains, sewer pipes, septic tanks, and wet mops or soil.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on decaying organic films (biofilm) found inside drains and pipes; adults feed on contaminated water and flower nectar.
Behavior Patterns
They are weak fliers often seen resting motionless on walls near sinks or drains. They are most active in the evening and attracted to light. Their life cycle is rapid, often completing in 1 to 3 weeks.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: They are not biters but can be a nuisance and potentially carry bacteria from sewage to other surfaces. Benefits: Their larvae help break down organic sludge inside pipes.
Identified on: 2/12/2026