Is it a drain fly?

The drain fly is a small, fuzzy-winged insect commonly found in moist indoor environments.

CC0 photograph via iNaturalist (research-grade identification)

whichbug identifies insects from what you can see. It does not identify bites and has no health information.

What to look for

Size	1.5 to 5 mm
Colour	gray to black with a fuzzy appearance
Shape	broad, heart-shaped body when wings are folded
Wings	covered in fine hairs giving a moth-like appearance
Antennae	short and segmented
Movement	slow and erratic flight, often hovering near surfaces

Where you'll find them

drain pipessewersunder sinksbathtub drainsmoist soil in potted plants

nuisance only Does not damage property, food, or plants but indicates excess moisture.

Season: year-round, most active in warmer months

Signs it's around

clusters of small dark insects on walls near drains
visible larvae in drain slime
adults resting on vertical surfaces near moisture sources
presence of organic buildup in drains

Not sure? The lookalikes

vs fruit fly	drain flies have fuzzy, heart-shaped wings while fruit flies have clear, transparent wings
vs fungus gnat	drain flies are larger and have a fuzzy, dark appearance compared to the slender, mosquito-like fungus gnat
vs moth	drain flies are much smaller and have a distinct heart-shaped wing posture when at rest

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