Maggots
Tel 01332 255256 Fax 01332 255121 Minicom 01332 256666 email customerservices@derby.gov.uk
What are maggots?
Maggots are the larva stage of a number of fly species, including the common housefly. Flies are attracted to food and other rubbish; they lay their eggs on the rubbish and then hatch into maggots. The maggots form pupae and hatch into flies. The whole of this life-cycle on average can take up to 10 days in warm weather, and up to month in cold weather.
Why am I getting maggots
Maggots only exist if flies have been allowed to have access to your rubbish. So if flies settle on your rubbish they may lay eggs, which will then hatch into maggots.
How can I prevent maggots
If flies don’t get into contact with your rubbish then you will not get maggots. Following these simple guidelines should prevent you from getting maggots:
- make sure that you never leave any food, including pet food, uncovered. Flies can lay eggs on food before it goes in the bin
- tie up any bags of rubbish tightly to seal. If you can’t, then it may help to double-wrap rubbish
- wrap all perishable items, such as food waste
- place all food waste in a sealed bag with no holes in it. Use a brown paper bag or newspaper for food waste placed in the brown bin
- ensure that the lid of your wheeled bin is kept closed
- always keep the inside and outside of your bin clean and remove any food spills
- store your wheeled bin out of direct sunlight, as the sun will warm up the bin, increase the smell and help attract flies
How do I get rid of maggots
If maggots do get into your wheeled bin, most of them will go when your bin is emptied.
- maggots and fly eggs can be killed by using boiling water and some cleaning products (always read the label)
- clean/wash your bin out after it has been emptied. If you don’t want to clean it yourself, you can get in touch with professional bin cleaners
- try using a cleaning product with a fragrance, which will help to deter the flies from your bin.
Further Information
Telephone: 01332 255256
Minicom: 01332 256666
Email: customerservices@derby.gov.uk