Frequently asked questions: about maggots
Q: What are maggots?
A: Maggots are fly larvae, usually of the common housefly
and also the bluebottle. Flies are attracted to food and other
rubbish; they lay their eggs on the rubbish; later the eggs hatch
into maggots. You will only have problems with maggots if flies can
get to your waste. If flies settle on your rubbish they may lay
eggs, which hatch out as maggots within 24 hours. Flies and maggots
have always been around - especially in hot weather - whatever kind
of bins or collection service we use. The best approach is to be
careful with your waste and ensure that flies can't get at it.
Householders in many parts of the country are this year reporting
problems with flies and maggots
Q: How can I make sure I don't get problems with maggots in
my bin?
A: The first step is to make sure that flies can't get at
your rubbish. In fact, wheelie bins are much better at keeping out
flies than black bin bags.
- Never leave food uncovered inside the home. Flies may lay eggs
on any exposed food, and in warm weather the eggs can hatch within
24 hours.
- Rinse polystyrene food trays and other food packaging that
can't be recycled before you put it into the bin.
- Make sure your kitchen waste bin is tightly shut so flies can't
get in.
- Wrap waste tightly in plastic bags before putting it into the
wheelie bin.
- Make sure there aren't any holes in the bag - for example
around the handles - that could let a fly in.
- Squeeze out the air from the bag and tie it tightly.
- Perishable waste like food scraps or pet waste, or disposable
nappies, should be double-wrapped.
- Lower the bags gently into the wheelie bin to avoid tears and
splits
- Keep the lid of your wheelie bin closed. If your bin lid is
broken and won't close, contact the Council.
- If possible, store your wheelie bin out of direct
sunlight.
- Hang insecticide strips inside your bin to help control flies
if they get in
- Try using Citronella - a natural remedy used in gardens. This
will discourage flies as they don't like the smell.
Flies can also be attracted to recycling materials if they
aren't clean. So please make sure you wash out food cans, plastic
bottles, glass bottles and jars to ensure they don't attract
flies.
Q: There are maggots in my bin. What can I do?
A: Try using a fly spray. Also, flies and maggots can be
killed with boiling water. You can also try pouring a small amount
of warm bleach solution over the waste in the bin. Most of the
maggots will go when the bin is emptied. After the bin has been
emptied, clean it out with disinfectant or bleach and plenty of
water. Try using a cleaning product with a fragrance as this will
help to deter flies in future. Spray the inside of the bin with fly
spray. Follow the advice given above to avoid problems in the
future - make sure that flies can't get at your rubbish.
Q: Can maggots cause health problems?
A: Maggots in wheelie bins will not cause any health
problems. Flies are all around no matter what type of collection
service is in operation. The best approach is to be careful with
your waste and ensure that flies can't get at it. Follow the advice
given above - "How can I make sure I don't get problems with
maggots in my bin?"
Q: In hot weather, the wheelie bin smells. What can I
do?
A: Smells come from rotting rubbish. To minimise smells,
put waste into plastic bags, squeeze out the air, and tie tightly.
Make sure there are no holes in the bags. Double-wrap food scraps
and pet waste. If you use disposable nappies, try emptying
solid waste from the nappy down the toilet before double-wrapping
the nappy in a plastic bag and putting it into the bin. If
possible, keep your wheelie bin in a shady spot, out of direct
sunlight. This will help keep it cool. Make sure you wash out your
cans and bottles for recycling, too, to ensure they don't attract
flies or become smelly.
Q: Why have I got maggots now - I've never had them
before?
A: Files and maggots have always been around - it's not a
new problem. Many householders will, from time to time, have
difficulties with them, especially during hot weather. People all
over the country are this year reporting problems with flies and
maggots.
Q: Do you expect me to buy fly spray and/or will you
reimburse me for the cost of these?
A: Householders are responsible for their household waste
and for hygiene at their home. Fly spray can be effective in
helping to control flies. The Council cannot reimburse householders
for the cost of fly spray or any other cleaning materials they may
use at home.
Q: Will the Council come to remove them and if not, why
not?
A: When we come to empty your bin, the maggots
will be removed with your household waste. After your bin is
emptied we advise you to clean it thoroughly with water and
disinfectant or bleach - see advice above under "There are maggots
in my bin. What can I do?"
Q: I've got rid of them once and now they're back - I
double-wrap everything and thoroughly clean all of my containers.
What else can I do?
A: If you are having problems with maggots, it is because
flies are getting to your waste to lay eggs on it. The eggs hatch
out into maggots. Follow the advice above ("How can I make sure I
don't get problems with maggots in my bin?") and remember to
enforce strict hygiene in your home as well. Flies can lay eggs on
food waste left exposed in the kitchen and the eggs later hatch out
into maggots after the food has been put into the bin.
Q: I've got children and despite what you say they ARE a
health hazard - I'd like an Environmental Health Officer to visit
me...when can they come?
A: Environmental Health experts all over the country have
given reassurance that this is not a health hazard. However, if you
feel you are experiencing exceptional problems, we can arrange for
an Environmental Health Officer to visit your home and give
advice.
Q: I'm disabled/a pensioner - how do you expect me to clean
out my bin on a regular basis/can the Council not clean my
bin?
A: We provide assistance, where necessary, to help people
present their bins on collection day but we are not able to assist
with cleaning of bins. If you are not able to clean out the bin
yourself, we advise you to use one of the professional wheelie bin
cleaning services that operate in the area. Also, you should follow
the advice above "How can I make sure I don't get problems with
maggots in my bin?" to try to make sure the problem doesn't
recur.
Q: With regards to excess recyclable waste, how am I
supposed to protect these additional bags/containers from maggot
infestation?
A: Make sure you wash materials thoroughly before putting
them out for recycling - e.g. cans, plastic bottles, glass jars and
bottles. This is particularly important when they have contained
food. Any smears or scraps of food left behind will start to smell
and decay and will attract flies. If the materials are really
clean, they will not smell and flies will not be attracted to
them.
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