Drane fly infestation

[Sandy&Sheldon]

My crabitat is infested with Drane flies but I can't clean it because both crabs are hiding underground and may be molting. I have a trap in the cage with apple cider vinegar but there are just too many, and they are starting to buzz around the house, too! I'm supposing I just have to wait to change all the substrate until the crabs resurface unless anyone else has any suggestions?
Also, this keeps happening. I totally clean out the tank, change all the sand and coconut fiber substrate and a few days later the flies are back.
Any tips would be appreciated!

[CrabMater]

Hi. Im sorry to hear you are suffering through this. I had to Google Drain Flies and the only treatment is complete removal of substrate. I guess you missed an egg or two because they multiply like crazy and have a 2 week life cycle. Id keep up the acv and fly tape mitigation. There's nothing short of a complete deep clean of all tank decorations and to oven sterilize substrate, or replace all together. If you have a glass tank, the epoxy that holds the panes of glass together is notorious for hiding larve. So: You're living with flies until the crabs come up.
Im not sure if you know this but crabs are very similar to bugs in their make up and will die from accidental exposure to bug spray. Good luck and keep us posted.

[PinchersAndShells]

Hello, I'm having the exact same problem. I know that some people like to keep isopods to clean up some of the foods that get dragged about and could potentially attract them. Other than that, I think you're just going to have to play the waiting game as bad as it sounds... I'm thinking after replacing substrate maybe find out how they may be getting in?

[Rawrgeous]

Have you tried sticky fly tape above the tank? It's not attractive, but at least it would keep some at bay....also make sure to change the mixture daily, it will attract more that way, as there won't be any dead in to use as a "lift off." When I had gnats I literally killed all the ones I saw as well, as annoying and gross as it was, and that seemed to help kill off some of the population as well. Try to make sure there are no stashes of food hiding around the top of the sub that could be a major food source. Feed more dry foods if possible, it seems to help a bit.

[Sandy&Sheldon]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will try all of them. Hoping the crabs come up soon so I can clean the cage thoroughly.