I cannot see the rounded, parallel-veined wings of drain flies in your pictures.

See if they are interested in vinegar or in yellow sticky cards or sticky coils.

Have tried vinegar and not a single catch. And I have not tried sticky cards but I will. These bugs “scamper” and run over everything until bothered and then fly to next space. Thanks for the response. These have me stumped as to origin, food source and eradication.

Can you put a clear jar over the drain before the sun comes up (or lights go in) and see if anybody pops up into it when it gets light?

Adding a drop or two of liquid soap to the vinegar is a must, else strong flies like these will readily escape.

Thanks, Logician, I did add the liquid soap to the initial vinegar trap as I had seen this suggestion elsewhere. Did not catch any. I have since spotted these outside my kitchen window leading me to wonder if these are outside insects coming in. Our weather has been extremely mild for several weeks. They appear to be dwindling in number but I keep the spray bottle handy with dishwashing detergent to zap them on sight and on the window. They have been a nuisance!

It has been a month after my initial post. These bugs are still with me. I am posting a picture of them on the yellow sticky card. After two days I have about 20 on the card. Any ideas on what they might be?

That is not a bad photo; I will take another look for ID. Some of these small flies seem to have a prominent ovipositor, or other trailing abdominal spike.

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Nope; the large number of small flies to choose from is just too bewildering. The drain flies would seem to be eliminated as I do not see any residual scales from the struggles on the yellow card.

Sadly, this is only one card. I have four of these. They all look like this-around 20 or so per card in a two day period. This is becoming more than irritating. I just wish I knew what I was fighting. This is a card from yesterday

Did you test to see if they come from drains yet?

I have. They are not. Although they are drawn to liquids left in cups like coffee, milk, tea, etc. I was reading in bed last night and one swooped in and sat on a page in my book. So they do not stay confined to kitchen space.

Is it cold and snowy outside or do you live somewhere nice with current insect activity?

A mix-relatively mild winter so far. In the upper South so normal for this time of year. Temps have dropped below freezing for last few nights but in 40s during the day. So yes, insect activity outside.

Is there any way to get a close up photo of the wings so we can see the veins? Maybe you have a better camera than I do... :)

The "scampering" motion initially mentioned by iliykate is a notable habit of phorids.

Size and humpback shape also match. Identification of breeding site and control could be a major problem.

Logician, from reading the info on the link you provided, this could indeed be a major problem-and troubling

Good luck, and thanks for your persistence in keeping the topic alive.