Ever opened your trash can and INSTANTLY wished you hadn’t? Like, full-on horror movie vibes — stuff squirming, writhing, and you’re just there trying not to gag. Yeah… maggots. Disgusting little things. They just always seem to come outta nowhere, and all of a sudden your bin feels like it needs to be exorcised. Haha, but truly, not funny! If you’ve ever been left wondering where the heck they come from, why they took an interest in your trash like it’s some kind of prime real estate, and how to make sure it never happens again — don’t worry. I got you.
Let’s break it all down. No fluff. Just straight-up answers.
What Exactly Are Maggots and How Do They Get in My Trash?
Maggots are fly larvae – most often of the common housefly. They don’t just materialize, these flies; flies are tricky little beasts. They’ll touch down on a rotten piece of meat, some spoiled fruit or greasy paper towels, lay a couple of dozen eggs, and then peace out. Within a day, the eggs have hatched into squirming maggots, and voilà — your trash can is a nursery for baby flies.
The bin is essentially a five-star hotel — warm, moist and fully stocked with decaying treats. Summer heat? Even better. It’s nature’s microwave for getting those eggs hatched fast. So if your refuse smells like there’s something dead inside (and there might be), you can bet the flies have already found it.
How to Remove Maggots from Trash Can
So the bin is now infested. Now what?
First, don’t panic — but don’t disregard it either. These things multiply fast.
Boiling Water:
Scald the maggots with boiling water. They can’t survive high heat. You will hear a little sizzle (gross but it works).
Vinegar and Baking Soda:
Combine white vinegar and hot water in equal parts and toss in a bit of baking soda. The fizzing action cleans and kills any straggler maggots. But bonus: it takes on the stink too.
Trash Bin Scrub:
After you’ve soaked them, it is time to deep clean them. Scrub your bin with dish soap and hot water or a disinfectant. And don’t forget the lid — that’s where flies like to play hide and seek, in creases.
Salt or Lime Powder:
After cleaning, add a thick dusting of table salt or garden lime to the bottom of the bin. This will dry any larvae left and discourage new ones.
