NOBODY wants to open their bin on a hot day and be met with an infestation of maggots.
Unfortunately, warm weather creates the perfect environment for flies to breed, and bins filled with food waste are their ideal target.
Thankfully a cleaning expert has now shared simple yet effective tricks to stop maggots from spreading.
Professionals from the @thecleangroup TikTok group uploaded a video, which has racked up over 4,000 likes, sharing what you should do if you discover them.
The first step is to use boiling water to kill live maggots, and they advised that this would happen “instantly” and doesn’t require any harsh chemicals.
Their next tip was how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
You should pour salt in your bin, and this is said to “keep flies away.”
The experts explained: “No flies, no eggs equals no new maggots.”
For their “bonus tips”, they advised sprinkling bicarb in your bin to fight smells and moisture.
You should also double bag food waste to cut down on bin juice, wash your bin with hot soapy water and disinfectant and line the bottom with newspaper for easy clean-up.
You should always make sure food waste is always sealed in bags before it goes into the bin, as flies can lay eggs within just a few hours if scraps are left exposed.
Keeping the bin as dry as possible also makes a huge difference, since moisture helps maggots thrive.
To keep bins fresh in the long term, it’s recommended to give them a quick rinse every week and use a natural spray to cut down on odours.
These small steps can dramatically reduce the risk of infestations during the summer months.
With the right tricks, there’s no need to dread lifting the lid on bin day.
People were quick to comment on the video and give their views.
One said: “This happened to me! I ended up putting bleach and hot water into mine.”
Another added: “don’t put food waste in, sorted.”
And a third said: “I’ll be doing this, thanks.”
What are maggots and why do I have them?
MAGGOTS are the larval stage of flies, typically houseflies or blowflies.
They are small, worm-like creatures that are usually white or cream-colored. Flies lay eggs on decomposing organic matter, such as rotting food, animal carcasses, or feces, and these eggs hatch into maggots.
If you have maggots in your home, it is likely because there is a source of decomposing organic material that flies have used to lay their eggs. Here are some common reasons why you might find maggots:
- Bins: If you have bins that haven’t been taken out for a while, especially food waste, it can attract flies.
- Pet waste: Animal feces, whether from pets or pests, can be a breeding ground for flies.
- Rotting food: Forgotten food items, whether in your pantry, refrigerator, or elsewhere, can attract flies.
- Poor sanitation: General lack of cleanliness and poor sanitation can contribute to fly infestations.
How to get rid of maggots
- Identify the source: Locate the source of the maggots and remove it. This could be rotting food, garbage, or any other decomposing organic matter.
- Clean thoroughly: Clean the area thoroughly with disinfectant to remove any remaining eggs or larvae.
- Dispose waste properly: Ensure that garbage is properly sealed and disposed of regularly.
- Use fly traps: Fly traps can help reduce the adult fly population, which in turn reduces the number of eggs laid.
- Seal entry points: Make sure windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent flies from entering your home.
- Regular maintenance: Regularly clean areas that can accumulate waste or organic matter, such as pet areas, kitchen bins, and outdoor spaces.
