Are you noticing more maggots in your trash due to the warmer temperatures? Here’s how you can get rid of them: “They can spread to other places.”
Hot weather doesn’t just make your trash can smell faster, it also seems to have more and more maggots in it. So, over the next few months, it’s important to be extra careful. What’s the best way to avoid such an infestation? What should you do if your dustbin is full of larvae? Dominique Debie of Rentokil has some great tips: “It all starts with hermetic sealing.”
Understanding Maggot Infestations
There’s nothing more unpleasant than opening your trash can and finding maggots inside. In warm weather, this is pretty common. You might have noticed an increase in fruit flies in your house recently. This makes it more likely that you’ll come across maggots.
But what exactly are maggots and how do they end up in your garbage can? “Flies like to lay eggs in the garbage because it’s warm, moist, and full of nutrients,” says Dominique Debie of Rentokil, a company that specializes in pest prevention and control. “Those eggs hatch into maggots.”
Preventing Maggot Infestations
So maggots are the larvae of flies that hatch from eggs and then pupate into flies. It happens pretty quickly, too. Before you know it, your garbage can is full of big larvae. It’s always better to prevent a problem than to try to cure it. In this case, that means making sure that flies don’t have access to materials in your home or garden where they can lay their eggs. “The best thing you can do is to put as little moist food scraps in your garbage can as possible, and be especially careful with meat and fish scraps,” Debie suggests. “It’s also a good idea to put your trash can in the shade and keep it closed as often as possible.”
Additional Tips for Keeping Trash Cans Maggot-Free
You can also use a layer of talcum powder, straw, or old newspapers on the bottom to absorb moisture in your trash can. It’s not always feasible to keep a trash can open and closed in a catering establishment. If you can’t put a trash can in the shade or keep it closed, it’s better to hang a fly trap near it. You can use adhesive strips, an electric grill, or an extractor.
There are also a few simple tricks you can try at home: You can also use a layer of talcum powder, straw, or old newspapers on the bottom to absorb moisture in your trash can. “You can also try sprinkling a little salt on the contents now and then.”
Getting Rid of Maggots
It’s best to get rid of the contents of your trash can as soon as possible and kill the maggots by drying them out, with salt, for example. “You can also try pouring vinegar in your trash can or using an air freshener.” Not keen on aerosols or a chemical smell in the kitchen? You can also use a sprig of ivy (hedera) or lavender, which are both natural enemies of maggots. We’ve found that fresh lavender and air fresheners both work well.
What to Do If an Infestation Occurs
If that happens, you’ll need to act fast. “The best thing to do is get rid of the contents of your trash can as quickly as possible and kill the maggots by drying them out, with salt, for example.” It’s also important to give your bin a good clean afterwards to get rid of any moisture and odours. If you need to, put the bin in the sun for a bit after cleaning. “A layer of talcum powder at the bottom is a nice touch.”
Consequences of Inaction
What happens if you do nothing? If you don’t address a maggot infestation, it can quickly get worse. Maggots can spread to other areas and attract more pests, leading to a more significant problem. Regular maintenance and cleanliness are essential to keep your trash can and home free from maggots and other pests.
