When the temperature rises, maggots quickly take over the garbage can. We will tell you here how to get rid of them and how to effectively prevent an infestation.
In summer, looking into the garbage can is often associated with disgust and disgust. Because the warm, humid climate in the container creates ideal living conditions for a large number of insects. For example, house flies and bluebottles use organic and residual waste bins as breeding grounds. After a short time, nasty maggots will spread between leftover food and plant remains. With simple home remedies, however, you can quickly get rid of the unloved residents. Here are a few ways to combat and prevent them.
These methods can be used to fight maggots
When fighting maggots, you should avoid using chemical insecticides. Because these aggressive preparations not only kill the insects, but also have a toxic effect on people and pets. In addition, the pollutants are concentrated in the ground, where they can only be broken down very slowly. In addition, the insects are able to develop resistance to repeated use of insecticides. The following home remedies can therefore be used to combat maggots in the garbage can in a far more reliable and environmentally friendly way.
❍ Dry maggots with quicklime:
Quicklime stands for calcium oxide and is formed when carbonated lime is deacidified at high temperatures. Gardeners know this substance as fertilizer. Quicklime is mainly used on construction sites. Since quicklime is particularly aggressive, it can also be used against larger maggot populations.
If quicklime comes into contact with water, it has a highly corrosive effect. Since larvae consist of about 90 percent water, the effect is quick and reliable. It will only take a few applications to end the maggot plague. When handling the substance, however, there are a few things to consider:
- Quicklime may only be used outdoors.
- Quicklime can also damage the material of the dustbin.
- Lime may only be used in small quantitiesbecome.
When working with burnt lime, you should always wear protective clothing. Gloves as well as mouth and respiratory protection are therefore an absolute must.
❍ Lime and rock dust against maggots:
If you are looking for a gentler method, you will find it in the hardware store. Lime or rock flour are used in horticulture to upgrade the soil. If maggots come into contact with it, they are also deprived of moisture. Although the process is a bit more lengthy than described for quicklime, it is also less dangerous.
Tip:
You can also achieve a similar effect with cat litter or s alt.
If you have an open fireplace, you should simply store the ashes during the winter and throw them in the dustbin in the summer. Ash has a disinfecting effect and is therefore reliable against insect infestation.
❍ Vinegar drives away maggots:
Flies don't like vinegar. A natural and effective remedy against maggots has thus been found. It is advisable to use the more concentrated vinegar essence instead of conventional household vinegar. Just do the following:
- Add five tablespoons of vinegar essence to one liter of water.
- Mix the liquid.
- Pour the liquid into a spray bottle.
- Spray the maggots with the liquid.
- Spray the walls and lid of the bin with the liquid.
- Remove maggots.
- Let the dustbin air dry.
Tip:
You can intensify the effect by sprinkling s alt over the liquid.
The good thing: If you ventilate the dustbin, the intense smell of vinegar will prevent other insects from visiting the container.
❍ Pepper stops maggot infestation:
In addition to vinegar water, pepper water is also an effective weapon against maggots in the garbage can. Make a stock of pepper solution by mixing 2 liters of water with 2 tablespoons of ground pepper. You should boil the water before adding the spice powder. Once the solution has cooled, you can pour it into a spray bottle. Then simply spray the pepper water directly onto the maggots. They then die after a few minutes. At the same time, the garbage can is disinfected using pepper water.
❍ Dog shampoo as a maggot killer:
Caring products containing the active ingredient permethrin are also suitable for fighting maggots. This is also a tried and tested remedy in thepest control. This permethrin is contained in dog shampoo, for example. Just dissolve a small amount of it in hot water. You can then use it to clean a large area of the garbage can. You can also spray the product directly onto the maggots.
Warning:
Cat owners should reconsider the use, because permethrin is poisonous for these four-legged friends.
❍ Using alcohol and spirits against maggots:
If the rubbish bin has been cleaned and one of the household remedies described has been used, the bin can then be sprayed with alcohol or spirit. The flies will then look for another breeding ground for some time. Since the effect wears off over time, the application should be repeated several times during the summer.
➥ Overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the individual methods
| Method | Advantages | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Lime | ✔ works fast ✔ suitable for large populations | ✘ aggressive ✘ harmful ✘ harmful to the environment ✘ protective clothing necessary |
| Lime and rock flour | ✔ safe to use | ✘ longer duration of action ✘ repeated application necessary |
| Vinegar | ✔ reliable in effect | ✘ unpleasant smell |
| Pepperwater | ✔ reliable in effect ✔ additionally disinfecting | ✘ must be made by yourself |
| Dog Shampoo | ✔ contains reliable active ingredient ✔ long-term effect | ✘ Ingredient toxic to cats |
| Alcohol and spirits | ✔ easy to use | ✘ Effect wears off quickly |
Predators in Action
Pests can be eliminated very easily and without any action on our part if the appropriate predators are present. The maggots, for example, are a popular snack for native birds. If you open the bin in the morning hours, birds can help themselves. In the late morning you should close the garbage can again so that the rising heat doesn't attract even more flies.
Early risers who want to use this method have to reckon with the fact that they not only attract birds, but that mice and rats also gain access to the garbage. Birds not only pounce on the maggots, they also like to pick up the garbage and make a mess in the garden.
Tip:
If you are less concerned about theMaggots disgust and own an aquarium or a garden pond, can also use them as live food. It's also worth picking up for reptile keepers.
How to prevent maggot infestation
A maggot infestation in garbage cans can be effectively prevented with a few simple tips and tricks. Just try the following methods:
➔ Prepare the dustbin accordingly:
In order to deny the flies access to the compost bin, it is important that the lid closes as tightly as possible. This can be helped with the help of special rubber seals. Maggots also prefer a warm, humid environment. If the moisture is prevented by laying out several layers of newspaper or egg cartons, slippage can also be largely prevented.
An option would also be so-called maggot covers, which have an integrated filter and thus prevent insects from being attracted by the sewage gases escaping from the bin.
Some municipalities are already using organic waste bins with an integrated filter lid. Putrefaction gases no longer penetrate to the outside. Furthermore, the lid has a double seal. So it sits particularly firmly.
➔ Clean the dustbin regularly:
Regular cleaning of the garbage cans is essential. If the bin is kept thoroughly clean with a high-pressure cleaner, breeding grounds for insects can be reliably removed. After cleaning, you should always spray the bin with vinegar or pepper water.
➔ Set up the garbage can correctly:
Waste bins should not be placed in full sun. The heat promotes the decomposition process in the bin and thus creates ideal breeding conditions for flies and other insects.
Tip:
In summer you should have your bio bin emptied regularly. Even if the bin is only half full. In this way you can effectively prevent a maggot infestation.
➔ Dispose of rubbish properly:
The content of the compost bin has a significant influence on a possible maggot infestation. If you only dispose of plant remains and fruit and vegetable waste in it, the maggot plague should be rather low. However, if you also dispose of cooked leftovers in it, you can expect a heavy infestation, because flies prefer to use the leftovers of meat and fish to lay their eggs. It is therefore best to always put cooked leftovers in compostable bags and dispose of them. It is best to always put a layer between these kitchen wastesDispose of garden waste. This can further reduce maggot formation.
But you should also wrap the skins of fruit and vegetables before disposal - in newspaper or paper towels. The absorbent material absorbs the moisture, which then attracts far fewer flies.
➔ Smells against maggots:
We already talked about vinegar. Unfortunately, the smell is not really pleasant for us humans either. Therefore, alternatively use tea tree oil or lavender. These smells also keep insects away. If you put pressed garlic cloves over your organic waste, you don't have to worry about maggots either.