How to Keep Maggots Out of Garbage

If you're reading this, you probably found maggots in your trash containers. Maggots are fly larvae with a brief seven-day life cycle. Flies eat and lay eggs in food trash or other waste materials. These carnivorous pests thrive in warm climates and are attracted to dense protein sources such as meat, bones and tendons. Although resilient and disgusting, proper precautions will prevent future maggot infestations.

Things You'll Need

• Trash bags
• Salt
• Bleach
• Lime

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Instructions

• 1

  Freeze your food waste until the day of garbage collection. The less time your food spends rotting in the trash can means fewer flies reproduce and fewer maggots.

• 2

  Seal all food waste. Meat juice and food residue, including pet food, attracts maggots. Double-bag your items if necessary to prevent fluid from leaking into your trash container.

• 3

  Sprinkle salt and lime around the edge of your trash can. This will repel flies from entering. You may also use lime and vinegar for the same purpose.

• 4

  Keep the lid of your trash can tightly closed. Open containers emit fly-attracting odors, which invite maggot infestations.

• 5

  Clean the bottom of your trash can regularly. The bottom of your trash can collects small pieces of food that quickly rot. Removing any trash liquid or food particles reduces the likelihood of maggot infestation.