Maggots often appear in trash cans and under carpets. Maggots appear when a fly enters a certain area and lays eggs there. The smell of rotting food can often attract flies and maggots. Getting rid of maggots takes a little patience and persistence, but the rewards are great. To reduce maggot infestation, remove rotting food, empty and clean trash cans, and clean carpets and other areas of the house.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Getting Rid of Maggots in the Trash
Step 1. Remove all trash from the trash
Use good gloves to remove trash from the bin. Remove any remaining trash at the bottom of the trash can and put it in a trash bag. Dispose of all the garbage you collect in a landfill.
- We recommend that you handle the maggots after the garbage has just been picked up by the garbage collector so that the trash can is empty.
- You may also want to clean the sink drain if you suspect maggots may also be living there. Mix hot water with vinegar and pour it into the sink after you've cleaned the drain tank.
Step 2. Bring the water to a boil
When you're ready to deal with the maggot infestation, put the water in a large saucepan and bring it to a boil. You can also use an electric kettle. After the water boils, pour it on the maggots in the trash.
- Boiling water can instantly kill maggots.
- Be sure to pour boiling water over each part of the trash can.
Step 3. Clean your trash can
Remove all the contents of the trash, including the dead maggots. Rinse the trash can with a hose. Prepare hot water mixed with soap. Put on gloves and clean the inside of the trash can with a stiff brush and soapy water.
- You can also clean the trash can with a mixture made of one part vinegar and two parts water.
- You can also scrub the inside of the trash can with mint oil to remove maggots.
- Do not pour the water mixture into the rainwater sewer because this channel usually flows into rivers, lakes, or other clean water sources.
Step 4. Dry your trash can
You should dry the trash can because maggots like damp places. Dry the trash can in a place that is exposed to the sun. You can also dry it with a rag.
Make sure you repeat this process every week or two to prevent the maggots from attacking again
Step 5. Line the trash can with a large plastic bag
Once you've removed the maggots and cleaned the trash can, you don't want the maggots to come back. Line the trash can with a large plastic bag, then tie the edges with rubber straps so that there is no gap between the plastic bag and the trash can.
Step 6. Crush the eucalyptus and bay leaves, then sprinkle them around the trash can
Maggots and flies do not like eucalyptus, bay and mint. Crush a few leaves of this plant, then place them in or around the trash.
Method 2 of 4: Getting Rid of Maggots on the Carpet
Step 1. Collect the maggots and freeze them
If there are maggots in any part of your home, sweep and collect the maggots and place them in a tightly closed garbage bag. Freeze the maggots in the bag for at least an hour. Next, throw the maggots into the trash can outside the house.
Killing maggots by freezing is the most humane way
Step 2. Sprinkle boric acid on the carpet
Use a broom to work the boric acid into the carpet fibers. Boric acid is a natural insecticide that can kill maggots.
Boric acid can be purchased at home improvement stores, large department stores, or on the internet
Step 3. Vacuum your carpet
Vacuum your carpet thoroughly in every nook and cranny. Remove the vacuum cleaner bag, then put it in a plastic bag or container, and close it tightly. Kill the maggots by freezing them. Next, immediately dispose of the maggots in the trash can outside the house.
Killing maggots by freezing is the most humane way
Step 4. Use a steam cleaner
Rent or purchase a steam cleaner for carpets at a home supply store or pharmacy. You can rent it at a relatively cheap price. This is a useful tool for getting rid of maggots.
Step 5. Purchase an insecticide solution to use in a steam cleaner
Make sure you choose an insecticide that is carpet safe and non-toxic to animals and people. Mix the insecticide with hot water following the directions on the package. Next, put this mixture into the steam cleaning tank.
- You can also use a pet shampoo that contains an insecticide.
- You can use permethrin to get rid of maggots in your home.
Step 6. Clean the carpet using a steam cleaner
Run a steam cleaner on all the carpets in the house at least twice to suck out the maggots and kill them.
If possible, put the water that has been used (for steam cleaning) in a closed container and dispose of it outdoors
Method 3 of 4: Using Insecticides
Step 1. Purchase a non-toxic insecticide
Check the packaging of insecticide products carefully to make sure they are not harmful to anyone living in your home, such as children, dogs, or cats. A safe and non-toxic product that can be used to get rid of maggots is pet shampoo that contains insecticide. Read the packaging to make sure that the shampoo contains insecticides.
Step 2. Mix warm water with pet shampoo in a spray bottle
Bring the water to a boil, then mix it with the insecticide in a spray bottle. Next, spray the solution on the affected area. Let the solution sit there for a few minutes and soak the area.
You can use a mixture made of two parts water and one part insecticide
Step 3. Collect the dead maggots
Collect dead maggots using a broom and a trash can or tissue. Put the maggots in a tightly closed plastic bag. Next, throw the maggots and used tissue into the trash can outside the house.
Step 4. Clean the affected area with an antibacterial product
You can wipe it off using warm water and vinegar. After cleaning, make sure you dry the surface thoroughly to prevent moisture from building up and attracting flies.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Maggot Invasion
Step 1. Use a self-closing trash can for indoors
Self-closing trash cans can prevent maggots from getting inside. When the trash can is full, remove the bag and throw it outside the house.
- If the lid on your trash can is damaged, buy a new one.
- Put leftovers that maggots love so much in a tightly sealed plastic bag before throwing them in the trash to keep flies from getting to them.
- Don't fill your trash can until it overflows.
Step 2. Install sticky fly traps around the house
These traps can catch and trap flies that roam your home. Place these traps near trash cans and in areas where flies gather, such as around the sink.
Step 3. Put gauze on all doors and windows
Once installed, make sure the gauze is not torn or perforated so that flies cannot enter your home.
Step 4. Mix bleach with water and pour it down the drain
This will kill any bacteria the flies might use as a breeding ground. Clean the drain every two weeks using a bleach solution.
- You can use a mixture made of half a cup of bleach and 4 liters of water.
- You can also use a mixture made of one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar. Pour this vinegar and baking soda mixture down the drain, then run water for a minute to clear the drain.
Step 5. Store the meat products you want to throw in the freezer until the garbage collector arrives
Wrap meat products in newsprint or put them in a plastic bag, then place them in the freezer until the garbage collector arrives. Next, dispose of the meat product with other waste.
Step 6. Wash food containers before throwing them in the recycling bin
This will prevent food residue from rotting in the container, which will eventually attract flies.
Step 7. Put pet food into the house
Food left outside will attract flies to swarm it and allow flies to enter the house. If the food is introduced into the house, flies will not be able to lay eggs on or near your pet's food.
Warning
- Do not use insecticides that are toxic in your home as this can be harmful to people and pets.
- Do not mix bleach with other products, especially products containing ammonia.
- Do not pour toxic chemicals into gutters or rainwater drains. Ammonia is very dangerous for life in the sea.
Tips
- Maggots breed in humid conditions. Make sure you have thoroughly dried the trash can and household surfaces.
- Some of the products that are particularly attractive to maggots are meat, vegetables, and fruit. Make sure to empty the trash frequently, especially if you throw away these items frequently.
- Keep your trash can tightly closed at all times.
- To prevent the appearance of maggots in the future, empty the trash can frequently and use a sturdy garbage bag.
- Put wet food in a small plastic bag and seal it tightly before you put it in the trash.
