How to avoid maggots and flies

What are Maggots?

Maggots are the larvae stage of the common housefly.  Flies are attracted to food and other rubbish, they lay their eggs on the rubbish and these then hatch into maggots.  The maggots then form pupae and eventually hatch into flies.  The whole of this process can take up to 10 days in warm weather and up to a month in the cold weather.

Maggots only exist if flies have been allowed to have access to your rubbish.  So if flies land on your rubbish they may lay eggs and these will hatch into maggots.

If flies don’t get into contact with your rubbish, then you will not get maggots.  

What to do to prevent getting maggots

Following these simple guidelines should prevent you from getting maggots.

• If possible keep your bin in a shaded place in your garden and out of full sun.
• ALWAYS make sure that your wheeled bin lid is closed properly.  Remember if it is open just a few millimetres a fly can enter.
• Clear plates away immediately after a meal, DO NOT leave plates on the side in the kitchen containing left over food.
• Always wrap and double wrap food waste in newspaper before placing in your kitchen bin.
• Ensure that your kitchen bin has a tight fitting lid and that it is always closed when not in use.
• Use a dustbin/wheelie bin liner and ensure that after you have deposited waste in it the top is folded or tied in order to stop flies getting in
• Dispose of solid waste from disposable nappies down the toilet and then fasten the nappy tightly on itself and double bag before placing in the bin.  The use of “real nappies” is much more eco-friendly and cheaper in the long run than using disposables and will reduce the amount of waste in your residual bin.  
• Avoid leaving cat/dog food uncovered all day.  Remove it as soon as possible.
• DO NOT leave excess waste around the wheeled bin, dispose of it as soon as possible at the Civic Amenity sites at Claylands Avenue Worksop, Hallcroft Road, Retford or Daneshill Tip, Lound.

How to get rid of Maggots

If maggots do get into your wheeled bin most of them will go when your bin is emptied.  However the following tips may be useful to you:-

• Maggots and fly eggs can be killed with boiling water.
• Clean/wash your bin out once it has been emptied.  If you do not want to do this yourself you can get in touch with professional bin cleaners.
• Try using a cleaning product with a fragrance; this will help to deter the flies from your bin.

How to stop your residual bin from smelling

• If possible place your residual bin in a shaded area in the garden
• Ensure that your bin lid is kept closed, this will prevent smells and flies from entering and laying eggs in the bin.
• Clean your bin regularly after it has been emptied.  The use of detergents and cleaning products with a fragrance will help keep flies away.
• Sprinkling vinegar in the bin can help neutralise odours.
• Always double wrap food waste in particular meat and animal waste. . Remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag as this will help slow down the general decomposition of the waste.
• Dispose of solid waste from disposable nappies down the toilet and then fasten the nappy tightly on itself and double bag before placing in the bin.  The use of “real nappies” is much more eco-friendly and cheaper in the long run than using disposables and will reduce the amount of waste in your residual bin.