How to Get Rid of Maggots in a Garbage Can
Maggots, those squirmy, white-rice-grain-looking things are the larvae of flies and other insects. Flies typically lay their eggs where the larvae are likely to find sustenance, usually trash or other sources of decaying plant and animal material. This makes garbage cans a prime spot for maggots. In small numbers, maggots don't present a major problem, but their short development cycle can also prove problematic, especially in the summer. If left unchecked, flies can reproduce exponentially, leading to infestation problems. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Get rid of the trash as soon as you see maggots in your garbage can. If your garbage can is indoors, dump all other trash in your home to prevent infestation in other rooms. If maggots are inside your outdoor garbage can, however, you may have to wait until trash day to empty your garbage can.
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Clean and disinfect all trash containers on a regular basis. This kills the existing maggots and prevents flies from coming back to lay more eggs. Usually household insecticides work to get rid of maggots.
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Discourage infestation. It may not be your trash that's attracting these maggots; it could be that they are infesting something else nearby and your trash just happens to be close. Check around for foul odors or sources of decaying matter. Check your pets, livestock, plants, fruit trees, drains, open food containers, pet food and compost heaps. If any of these are attracting flies, move your garbage can.
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Seal your trash. Whether that means buying a trashcan with a lid, or closing up trash bags before and as you dispose of them, it's important to keep flies from coming into contact with your trash.
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Try to keep flies and other insects from entering your home, and get rid of the ones already inside.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have an outdoor trash bin that's just too grimy to clean up, consider getting a new one or calling your local trash hauler to provide you with a new one.
Don't spray insecticides near food or pets, and keep the room well-ventilated.
Don't try to salvage any food that's been infested. Toss it.
