Maggots - how can I get rid of many, and is there a humane way to do so?

Question

I have many maggots crawling out of my bin (our local council collects now once a fortnight, I follow their guidelines, but I still have a far worse problem than in the last 24 years of 'being responsible' for my own bins.)

In the past, bleach has worked.Tonight, I've tried bleach, hot water, bicarb, and they're still crawling up over the lip of the (closed) lid.

Any ideas are very welcome, even more so if anyone has thoughts on the most humane way to get rid of them.

Thanks.

Answer 1

There must be enough junk left in your trash can to "Gag a maggot"

Ba duu bump....

I know of NO humane way to save a maggot. That's gross ( almost barfs)

Fly spray or ant spray your container that's all I can think of.

Answer 2

Water hose them off...........clean the container and lid with bleach......

Answer 3

I would keep persevering with Boiling water, unless you want to hand pick them and put in a tupper ware pot there is no humane way!!

Answer 4

Oh lovely!  Continue cleaning the bin regularly with vinegar and water or borax and water, or soap and water.  Make certain the bottom of the bin is completely dry as moisture in the bottom is an attractant.

Line the bottom of the cart with paper or cardboard, but no food or oil residue on the paper please.

Meat products are the main attractors.  Keep the scraps in the freezer until collection day.

Vegetable product (and fruit) can be turned in to the ground (if you have a little garden plot.  Just whiz the stuff in a blender and dump into a hole and cover with soil.  Otherwise keep the fruit and veggie debris in the frig/freezer or wrapped very tightly in paper and plastic before going into the bin.

If your local garden center carries Diatomaceous Earth, you can sprinkle some in the trash with each deposit.  That could get expensive.  

Also try repelling flies using botanical oils such as pennyroyal, mint, any stinky herb on the outside of the bin.  

Remember, limit the meat and veggie/fruit debris until right before pickup.

Answer 5

Best way is to put all your food waste in the compost (if you have one).  I have a weekly collection for our bins but I probably only put it out every 2-3 weeks.  And I never have problems with maggotts etc.  Prevention is more effective than a cure!!

Just remember, this time of year maggotts will get anywhere there is decaying food.  You might as well use them to recycle your waste in the garden rather than have them cause problems for you.

Answer 6

I would not worry about being humane with the maggots.

I would make regular use of a motorised jet hose and blast them out and afterwards keep the bin clean and wholesome.