Pest Control Questions Answered

Expanded Question:

I live in Southern California. Over the last month or so we have had quite a bit of rain, which is not usual for us. About 2 and 1/2 weeks ago I began seeing these gnat-like insects inside my house, which I though were termites. I saved a couple in a bag as they are so easy to catch and gave them to a pest control company and was told by them that they were Phorid flies. All the pictures I find on the web sites do not exactly look like them but their behaviors do match the information I read. They look like gnats to me. I am really freaking out. I have a very, very clean house. I spent over 9-hours this past Saturday cleaning again, unable to find the source. I also have two small dogs that I pick up their feces on a daily basis. I want to know: 1) If the house is exterminated, will it kill the phorid flies, (as well as the spiders that I also have a problem with)?; 2) Are the phorid flies dangerous to my dogs? One web site stated they can live in the digestive tracks of dogs (this has put me over the edge) Is this true? 3)Today I also purchased some Drain Gel online. Is this going to help-in addition to having the house exterminated?

4) How did I get these things and will I ever be able to get rid of them? I even have to cover my bed each day with a big sheet as I have gone in my room to go to sleep at night and found one or two sitting on my bed. I am even having trouble sleeping now because of these things-hoping they don't land on our faces while we sleep. Help! I know I sound nuts but I am feeling nuts lately!

Thank you so much, in advance.

Answer:

Phorid flies, when not flying, have a rapid erratic darting kind of a locomotion. They run before they fly.  Their appearance is gnat-like, that is true.  You can send me samples for identification to American Pest Solutions, Inc., 9137 S. Baltimore, Chicago, IL 60617

You may not be seeing Phorids but possibly Psychodids.  There are some answers to similar questions on my answer record which you can review by scrolling down my answer list.  Google Psychodids and see if this species is what you are seeing.

Slime mould which does breed in drain lines, especially plastic plumbing, could have initiated this condition following severe rain fall.  House hold potted plants will be an excellent site for phorids that will feed on root surfaces and organic substances in the surrounding soil.  They may also be breeding in the garbage disposal.

DF 5000, a fungicide, combined with a pyrethroid such as permethrin can be used in p-traps and other drainage vessels. 

Get back to me after you have reviewed other info on my question roster, and I can be more helpful following your abc effort.

Good Luck Barbara,

George Manning
Consulting Entomologist