I’m a waste expert and I have a free trick to banish maggots from garbage bins – do it now
Do you have maggots in your waste bin? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place.
There is nothing more annoying than taking out your rubbish and discovering that there are nasty maggots crawling around the waste paper and food waste bins.
3
3
3
And maggots thrive in the heat. And with temperatures soaring in Britain this weekend, you’ll need to be vigilant if you want to get rid of them quickly.
Fortunately, there is a waste expert BusinessWaste.co.uknamed Mark Hall, has shared his top five tips for preventing your trash can from becoming a ‘breeding ground’ for those little rascals.
And if you are on a budget due to the cost of living, don’t worry. You don’t have to spend money to keep these creepy crawlies at bay.
In fact, one of Mark’s hacks is completely free. Yes, you heard that right.
Not only did Mark emphasize the importance of cleaning your trash cans, he also explained how to kill maggots right away.
Clean out the trash before the weather gets warmer
According to Mark, it’s easier to prevent maggots from nesting in your trash cans than to remove them.
Mark advised, “Use hot water and a strong disinfectant or bleach solution (one part bleach to 10 parts water).
“Scrub the inside and lid of the garbage can thoroughly, especially in the corners and crevices where maggots can hide.
“Rinse the trash can thoroughly and let it dry completely before using it again.”
Use boiling water
However, if there are already maggots in your bin, Mark’s best advice is to pour boiling water over them.
He advised, “The extreme heat will kill the maggots instantly.
“Then throw away the dead maggots and disinfect the container with hot water and disinfectant (as described above).”
He added that vinegar, baking soda and essential oils can also be used to “fight maggots.”
Seal food waste properly
Maggots are attracted to food scraps, so Mark stressed the importance of sealing your food scraps properly.
He added: “Ideally, food waste should be composted or put in a separate food waste bin.
What are maggots and why do I have them?
MAGGOTS are the larvae of flies, usually house flies 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 as maggots.
If you have maggots in your home, chances are there is a source of decomposing organic matter that flies have used to lay their eggs. Here are some common reasons why you might find maggots:
- Garbage bins:If you have trash bins that haven’t been put out for a while, especially food scraps, flies can get infested with them.
- Pet feces: 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:Lack of sanitation and poor hygiene can contribute to fly infestations.
How do you get rid of maggots?
- Identify the source: Find the source of the maggots and remove it. This may be rotting food, garbage, or other decomposing organic matter.
- Clean thoroughly: Clean the area thoroughly with a disinfectant to remove any remaining eggs or larvae.
- Dispose of waste properly: Ensure waste is properly sealed and disposed of regularly.
- Use fly trapsFly traps can help reduce the population of adult flies, which in turn reduces the number of eggs laid.
- Seal off access pointsMake sure windows and doors are properly closed to prevent flies from entering your home.
- Regular maintenance: Regularly clean areas where trash or organic material can accumulate, such as pet areas, kitchen trash cans, and outdoor areas.
If not, make sure all food scraps are in biodegradable bags or properly wrapped before throwing them in the trash.
“For certain types of waste, such as food, diapers or pet waste, try using two bags instead of one. This will seal them better and reduce the risk of leaks.
“If possible, store food waste in a smaller, sealed container and only place it in the larger container just before collection day.”
Use insect repellents
You can also sprinkle insect repellent on the rim and bottom of your waste bin.
Mark said: “[Insect repellants are] a natural and effective way to kill maggots by dehydrating them.
Common garden pests
Common garden pests are no cause for alarm. If you can identify them, you can work to remove them and prevent them from coming back.
Aphids (green aphid, black aphid)
Aphids are very common and can affect the growth of plants. They have small soft pear-shaped bodies and are usually green or black. You can find them in clusters on the stem of soft shoots – look especially under leaves – or you can find a sticky substance on your plants that betrays that aphids have been there sucking the sap.
Whitefly
These small white-winged insects are related to aphids, only 1 or 2 mm long, and look very similar to white moths as adults. They can be found on the underside of leaves, preferring younger, fresher leaves. They fly in clusters when disturbed. Their life cycle is only three weeks long, meaning that an infestation can occur very quickly.
Snails
An unmistakable, clumsy-looking body plus small sensory tentacles on its head. Slugs propel themselves forward on a single, muscular leg. They range in size from surprisingly small to frighteningly large; limax cinereoniger species can easily exceed 20 cm in length.
Caterpillar of the cabbage moth
The caterpillars of the cabbage moth are happy to penetrate into the heart of the vegetable. The caterpillars are recognizable by their yellow or brown-green hues and are hairless.
Mealybug
Mealybugs are small oval insects with a white, powdery wax coating. There are several species, many of which have what appear to be legs coming out of their sides and back. In their earliest stages of life, it is quite possible to mistake them for fungi and not recognize them as insects at all.
“Reapply after cleaning or every few days during warm months like August.”
Keep trash cans cool
And as temperatures rise and the heat promotes maggot growth, you can slow the process by placing your containers in a shady spot.
Mark concluded, “If possible, store the bin in a garage, shed, or under a shady shelter.
“This reduces the chance of a maggot infestation and keeps the stench caused by all the waste to a minimum.”
