How To Avoid Maggots In Garbage Can [Preventive Measures]

Maggot infestation in your trash can is a serious problem that you must not avoid. If maggots keep returning to your trash can, you are not taking the proper preventive measures.

In this article, you will learn how to avoid maggots in garbage can. Here, you will get the best and most effective methods to prevent maggot infestation.

First, you must kill maggots in your garbage can by boiling water, freezing them, using vinegar, diatomaceous earth, or ammonia. Next, scrub off the entire garbage can along the lid. Then, rinse and dry the trash can and use a good-quality trash bag to avoid a moist environment. Lastly, always seal the garbage can with a lid so the smell does not attract flies.

These are preventive measures that take to avoid maggots. Read the article to gain a better understanding of the preventative measures.

5 Steps To Avoid Maggots In Garbage Can

There are some steps to avoid maggots in your garbage can or kitchen trash can. If you follow the below-mentioned steps, you can easily prevent maggots from growing in your trash can.

Kill The Maggots

If you already have maggots in your trash can, the first step you must follow is to clean it thoroughly. You must deep clean it so that it kills the existing maggots and prevents further maggot infestation.

Before you start cleaning your trash can, first remove all the trash from the garbage can. Ensure no debris or food waste is left inside the garbage bin. If you start cleaning the garbage can without removing the waste, it will create a mess.

Now, there are several ways to kill the maggots and deep clean the garbage can. You can follow any of the below-mentioned ways to kill the larvae inside your indoor and outdoor trash can-

Boiling Water:

Killing maggots by pouring boiling water into the garbage can is one of the easiest and most natural ways. Pour boiling water directly on the fly eggs and larvae.

It will instantly kill them. However, you have to ensure that the boiling water is hitting all the spots. Leaving a spot and keeping a single maggot alive won’t stop infestation in your trash can.

Freeze And Kill:

The freezing method to kill maggots is a natural and humane way. However, this method is only applicable if you live in a place where it has a freezing temperature. You can use this method if your garbage can has a smaller maggot infestation. All you have to do is leave your garbage can in an air-tight container overnight.

Vinegar:

Vinegar is the best product to kill maggots and deodorize your trash can. Make a vinegar solution by mixing vinegar and hot water in a 1:2 ratio.

Then, pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it all over the garbage can, including the lid. Let the vinegar solution sit for 30 minutes in the trash bin. Lastly, scrub and rinse the trash can.

Diatomaceous Earth:

Diatomaceous earth has insecticidal properties that kill maggots. You can find this product in departmental stores or grocery shops. Take a handful of diatomaceous earth and spread it over the garbage bin. It will dry the maggots and slowly kill them.

Ammonia:

Does ammonia kill maggots? Yes, it does. However, it takes longer to kill maggots with ammonia than other methods.

Fill your garbage bin with ammonia and seal the bin for a few hours. Next, after getting rid of maggots, wash the garbage can.

These are the common and effective ways to kill the maggots in your garbage can.

Scrub The Garbage Can And The Lid

You still have a lot of work to do after killing the larvae. Killing the maggots does not mean your trash bin is clean. Food waste and other kitchen garbage are usually sticky, leaving a concoction of debris inside the trash can. If you do not scrub them off, it will attract flies and help them lay their eggs.

So, mix hot water and dish soap and spray the solution on the garbage can. Then, scrub the garbage can, including the lids, with a soft bristle brush. Ensure you scrub off all the concoctions and leave no waste.

Note: Always wear gloves while handling the garbage can to avoid getting contaminated with maggots.

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Rinse And Dry The Garbage Can

After scrubbing the garbage can, rinse it with fresh water and dry it. Never use a wet trash can because the moist environment will help flies to lay eggs and increase maggot infestation. So, leave the trash can and the lid under the sun for a few hours and let the sun soak all the water.

Always Use Trash Bags

It is essential to use a good-quality trash bag to avoid tears. If a trash bag tears up and leaks food waste, it will attract adult flies to lay eggs. So, to prevent maggots in your garbage can, you must always use a good-quality trash bag.

Use a Trash Can with A Lid

You must always use a garbage or trash can with a lid. A tightly sealed garbage can always obstruct the garbage smell from coming out. Hence, your garbage bin will not attract house flies and remain free from maggot infestation.

So, by following these steps, you can avoid maggots in your garbage can.

FAQ for how to avoid maggots in garbage can?

How Do I Keep Flies Out Of My Garbage Can?

The most essential step to keep flies out of a garbage can is cleaning it. To clean your trash can, wipe it with vinegar solution.

It will kill the bacteria and deodorize the garbage can. Also, ensure the trash can is closed with a lid. It will not allow the smell to come out and attract a housefly.

Will Salt Kill Maggots?

Salt is an effective product to kill maggots. Take an equal mixture of lime powder and salt and sprinkle the mixture over the eggs and maggots. This mixture will kill the maggots slowly but effectively.

What Smells Keep Maggots Away?

You can kill maggots and avoid flies by using wintergreen alcohol. It kills maggots by burning them and has a strong, minty fragrance that keeps the adult flies away from your garbage can. Moreover, grubs do not like the smell of peppermints and cloves.

Final Words

That is all about the steps or methods on how to avoid maggots in garbage can. If you see a maggot infestation in your trash can, do not panic! You can easily get rid of maggots and avoid them returning. Now that you have read the whole article avoiding maggots won’t be an issue anymore.

Remember, you must clean your trash can regularly to avoid maggots. From scrubbing off the food waste to using a trash can with a lid, all these steps are important to prevent maggots in your trash can.