After the last heatwave, I know first-hand how easy it is for maggots to suddenly spawn out of nowhere. A few months ago, I experienced my first (and hopefully only) maggot outbreak in my garden, simply from leaving a bin with mango skins outside overnight.
We’ve got a FOGO bin in our kitchen- one that is always filled with fruit peels, vegie scraps and random bits of food waste. And in summer, that bin can quickly become a breeding ground for flies if left open, or if it’s not taken out quickly enough.
We took to the internet instantly, and after several hours, managed to get rid of the hundreds of wormy, white maggots that were crawling around the backyard. It’s safe to say I’ve got great experience in this area of pest removal, and I’ve whittled down all the ways to kill maggots to my top three.
During a heatwave or hot, muggy weather, it’s essential to keep an eye on your bins. And, if you spot a maggot, there’s sure to be more wriggling around. Here are my top three ways to kill maggots instantly:
3 best ways to kill maggots
1. Bleach and water
Mix equal parts of bleach and water, then pour it onto the maggots to kill them. Also, if the filthy critters are in your rubbish bin, be sure to close the lid after pouring the liquid mix so that the toxic fumes will kill them. I found this method to be the most effective at killing maggots en masse.
2. Boiling water
Something so simple that works wonders is a kettle of boiling water. It can’t be cold or lukewarm, as only boiling water will kill them instantly. Pour water over the contaminated area and follow with a sprinkling of baking soda to eliminate any nasty smells.
3. Lime juice and salt
Tequila fans, you should have plenty of lime juice and salt lying around the house. Fill a spray bottle with warm water, lime juice and a generous amount of salt for a natural concoction that will get rid of the nasty pests.
Along with these three techniques, we also found using a high-pressure hose to be highly effective at getting maggots out of any crevices or hard-to-reach areas. Since our infestation was outside, it was easily done. It is not recommended to use a high-pressure hose indoors.
How to prevent maggots
If you don’t have maggots in your home but are still concerned and are a believer of prevention over cure, here are some great ways to stop the pests from lurking in the first place.
- Keep your bins clean and wash them out thoroughly at least once a week.
- If you have a FOGO bin or compost bin indoors, taking them out frequently, especially after wet, juicy scraps (like mango or fruits) is essential.
- It’s best practice to have a trash can with a lid.
- If your rubbish bin has holes in it, replace it immediately.
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