Finding tiny brown flying bugs in your house can be annoying and concerning. These small insects seem to appear out of nowhere and can quickly take over a room. While some flying bugs like fruit flies are harmless, others like drain flies can indicate bigger issues. So identifying these pesky critters and getting rid of an infestation is important.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common tiny brown flying bugs found indoors. We’ll also discuss ways to identify the bugs locate the source and get rid of an infestation for good.
What Are Those Tiny Brown Flying Bugs?
Tiny brown flying bugs in your home could be one of several common insects Some of the most frequent flyers are
-
Fruit Flies – These are probably the most common tiny brown flying bugs found in homes. About 2-3mm long, they are attracted to rotting fruit and vegetables.
-
Drain Flies – Drain flies are 1-5mm long and have fuzzy moth-like bodies. They breed in slime and gunk in drains.
-
Fungus Gnats – Small dark flies about 2-3mm long that breed in potting soil and damp areas indoors.
-
Phorid Flies – Tiny 1mm flies that breed in decaying organic matter. They have a distinctive humped back.
-
Moth Flies – Also known as drain flies or filter flies. These 1-3mm flies have moth-like wings and breed in drains.
-
House Flies – The common house fly grows up to 6mm long. They are attracted to food and garbage.
-
Midges – Tiny 1-3mm flies that look similar to mosquitoes. They thrive around standing water.
Where Are The Bugs Coming From?
Before attempting to get rid of tiny brown flying bugs, it’s important to locate their source. This will allow you to eliminate their breeding area and prevent future infestations.
Here are some common sources of indoor flying bugs:
-
Drains – Drain flies, moth flies, fungus gnats, and phorid flies can all breed in the gunk, hair, and slime inside drains. Any drain in your home could harbor these flies.
-
Potted Plants – Fungus gnats and drain flies lay eggs in the moist soil of houseplants. Check the soil of potted plants for bugs.
-
Fruit Bowl – Fruit flies breed and feed on rotting fruit. Always refrigerate fruit and don’t leave produce sitting out.
-
Trash Can – Fruit flies and house flies are drawn to food scraps and rubbish. Keep bin lids tight and empty garbage frequently.
-
Pet Bowl – Pet food and water bowls can attract fruit flies. Clean them regularly.
-
Windows – Flies and midges can enter through open windows. Make sure windows have tight screens.
-
Nearby Standing Water – Midges breed in standing water outside like ponds, fountains, or puddles which can lead to indoor swarms.
How To Get Rid Of Tiny Brown Flying Bugs
Once you’ve identified the source of the flies, you can begin to get rid of them. Here are some effective methods:
-
DIY Fruit Fly Traps – Make a simple trap from apple cider vinegar, water, and dish soap. The flies are drawn to the vinegar and get stuck.
-
Clean Drains – Use baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water to kill bugs and eggs lurking in drains.
-
Remove Standing Water – Eliminate any stagnant water near your home to get rid of midges.
-
Use Fans – Turn on fans near infested areas. The air circulation will discourage flies.
-
Grow Carnivorous Plants – Venus flytraps can help reduce fruit flies in your home without chemicals.
-
Keep Surfaces Clean – Quickly wipe up spills and crumbs to deny flies food sources.
-
Take Out The Trash – Empty garbage cans frequently so flies can’t breed.
-
Use Fly Paper – Sticky fly paper hung in problem areas can trap many small flies.
-
Plug Entry Points – Caulk cracks and seal openings around windows to stop flies entering.
-
Use Natural Repellents – Essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass and clove can deter some flies.
-
Insect Growth Regulators – Applying IGR products stops fly larvae from developing into adults.
-
Contact A Pest Control Expert – For severe infestations, professional pest control may be required.
Preventing Future Infestations
Getting rid of current flies is only half the battle. You’ll also need to take precautions to prevent future swarms of tiny brown bugs:
- Store fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator.
- Empty garbage frequently.
- Fix any leaky drains or pipes.
- Let potted plant soil dry out between waterings.
- Clean pet food and water bowls regularly.
- Install door and window screens.
- Identify and eliminate breeding sites outside your home.
- Keep floors and countertops clean and dry.
- Fill any holes or cracks in walls.
- Avoid leaving doors or windows open.
Catching an infestation early and locating the source quickly will make eliminating tiny brown flying bugs much easier. With some diligence, you can keep these annoying insects out of your house for good.
Identification key for insect pests in and around the home
| Pest Description | Management |
|---|---|
| Clothes Moths: 3/8 – 1/2 inch wingspan, buff-colored moth, found in closets, bedroom, etc. | Locate infested fabric, carpeting, etc. Check underneath wool rugs for larvae. Vacuum and shampoo rugs or dry clean clothes. Store cleaned fabrics in sealed bags or cedar chests. |
| Indian Meal Moth: 5/8 inch long moth, outer 1/2 to 2/3 of wings reddish-copper colored, usually found in the kitchen or pantry. | Locate infestation and dispose of infested material. Store food in airtight plastic, glass containers, or in the freezer. Check stored birdseed, pet food, and dried foods. |
| Drain Flies: tiny (2mm), gray, fuzzy, moth-like insect, found in bathrooms, near sinks. | Clean drains with enzyme cleaner; manually clean traps. |
| Fruit Flies: 1/8 inch long, tan-colored fly, red eyes, found in the kitchen, around bird cages, or recycling bins. | When possible, store fruit or vegetables in the refrigerator. Do not keep fruit or vegetables on counters for extended periods. Rinse cans and bottles for recycling. |
| House Flies: 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, dull gray flies, found in and around homes. (See also maggots). | Locate larval breeding sites and eliminate them. This includes timely removal of trash and keeping garbage cans as dry and clean as possible. To prevent adults from entering homes, tighten screens, windows, and doors. Seal all holes and entry points. Make sure all vents are tightly screened. Trap adult flies with baited fly traps or sticky fly tape. |
| Blow Flies, Greenbottle Flies, and Bluebottle Flies: Similar to house flies (see above), but metallic blue or green in color, found in and around the home. Breed in dead animals, feces, and/or garbage, depending on species. | Locate and eliminate the larval breeding site. Examples of breeding sites include a dead mouse, squirrel, or bird in the attic or chimney, pet feces in the yard, or dirty garbage cans. Locate and remove a dead animal. Timely removal and proper disposal of pet waste. Clean garbage cans regularly. Control of adults same as for house flies. |
| Cluster Flies: 3/8 inch long, dark gray, nonmetallic flies. Sluggish fliers, not related to garbage or manure. Larvae parasites of earthworms. May suddenly appear indoors around windows or lamps in the fall, spring, or winter. Adults enter homes in late August to overwinter and occupy attics and/or wall voids that are warmed by winter sun exposure (most often southern). | Prevention is the best control. In summer, seal up access openings. Place tight screens over vents. Caulk or seal cracks and holes. Inside the home, swat or vacuum any flies that appear. |
| Phorid Flies: Adults are about 1/64 – 1/4″ in size. This is one of several species of small black flies that may occasionally become pests in buildings. They breed in decaying organic matter of plant or animal origin. | Removing or drying out the organic matter where the larvae live will eliminate the problem. |
| Carpet, Cigarette, and Drugstore Beetles: 1/4 inch or less, oval to round beetles, brown, multicolored, or black, found in any room. May fly to windows or lamps. | Vacuum all areas thoroughly. Put clean woolens away in sealed containers. Check stored food products and spices for infestations and dispose of infested material. Store all herbs, spices, and dried food products in airtight containers. Check for dead mice, old bee, or hornet nests, etc., in wall voids or attic. These beetles feed on dead insects and dead animals. |
| Bark Beetles: 1/4 inch or less, cylindrical, red, black, or brown in color, found around windows, lamps, woodpiles near the fireplace, especially in winter. Emerge from logs used for firewood. | Check fire wood logs for small, round holes in the bark. Only store enough firewood for a day or two in the home to help prevent the emergence of the beetles. |
| Wood Borers: 1/2 inch or larger, narrow, variously colored, long or short antennae, some metallic. Associated with firewood. May see sawdust under firewood and oval, or D-shaped exit holes in the bark of logs. | Only store enough firewood for a day or two in the home to help prevent the emergence of the beetles. |
| Flying Ants (Reproductive Form): small to large, brown to black, pinched waist, six legs, 2 pairs of wings. Found in basement, attic, kitchen, or other rooms in the home and outdoors. | Identify ants. Seal entry from outdoors. Use bait stations to control indoors. Granular baits and bait stations are available for outdoor use. |
| Termite Swarmers: Dark brown, 1/4 inch, 4 long wings of equal length, fluttery flight habit, indoors or outdoors. Reproductive forms of subterranean termites, usually emerge from areas of infestation. | Contact professional pest control company. |
| Pest Description | Management |
|---|---|
| Fleas: 1/16 – 1/8 inch long, brownish-black and flattened side to side. Wingless, but strong jumpers and bite. | Thoroughly vacuum carpeting, upholstery, under furniture, and along baseboards. Dispose of bag when finished. Use product containing the insect growth regulator methoprene to control flea larvae. Follow all label directions. Contact your veterinarian for the best control of fleas on pets. If there are no pets in the home, raccoons or squirrels may be nesting in a chimney, attic, or under a porch. |
| Cave or Camel Crickets: large, over 1 inch, hump-backed, wingless, brown, with long antennae and legs, usually found in the basement. Don’t chirp. | Prevent entry by tightening screens, weatherstripping doors, and windows. Dehumidify basements. Use sticky traps labeled for cricket control. Keep pet foods and dry food products in tight containers. |
| House or Field Crickets: large, over 1 inch, winged, black or brown, cricket-like, usually found in basement or ground floor. Chirp | Refer to cave or camel crickets above. |
| Springtails: tiny, 1/8 inch or less, gray to white insects, jump, in bathrooms, around flower pots, or areas of high humidity. | Dehumidify area. Clean mold and mildew. Allow media in potted plants to dry out between waterings or repot with fresh media. |
Key points to help in identifying household insects
- Proper identification is the first step prior to managing any pest. Submit photos and questions to Ask Extension if you need assistance.
- In most circumstances, an infestation can be brought under control without hiring a pest control company.
- Proper identification, sanitation, managing moisture in and around the home, vacuuming, sealing off insect entry points, proper firewood storage, using a dehumidifier are some examples of management techniques to help reduce or eliminate an indoor insect problem.
- Avoid using pesticides indoors when at all possible to help minimize exposure. The risk of exposure to toxic materials is much higher indoors than outdoors. Insecticides do not break down indoors nearly as fast as outdoors. Indoors, pesticides are not exposed to degradation by temperature changes, wind, rain, soil microorganisms, etc.
How to Get Rid of Flying Brown Bugs in House
FAQ
What are these little brown flying bugs in my house?
Fruit Flies: If the flies are small, light brown and seem to be attracted to places in the kitchen, then they are probably fruit flies. To control these flies you have to start with the removal of overripe fruit and vegetables; this is where the larvae live.
Why do I have little tiny bugs flying around my house?
Tiny flying bugs in the kitchen are often fruit flies or gnats, and their presence can be attributed to several factors: Food Sources: Overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables, exposed food, or spills can attract these pests. They are particularly drawn to sugary substances.
What are the little brown bugs that look like seeds in my house?
One of the most common? Grain beetles, which resemble a reddish-brown alfalfa seed that can crawl around or even fly.
What are the little brown bugs that look like fruit flies?
Phorid flies (Family Phoridae) are another fly found in homes and, even more commonly, in commercial buildings. They are approximately the same size as fruit flies (1/8 inch, 2 to 4 mm) but have a hump-backed appearance. They are tan to dark-brown or black.