Salt sprinkled at the bottom of a wheelie bin keeps flies, maggots and unpleasant smells away, according to a home hack shared on Instagram. The method relies on a single natural household item and is described as budget-friendly and non-toxic.
Why bins attract flies and maggots
During summer, kitchen, bathroom and outdoor wheelie bins can quickly turn from slightly unpleasant to truly revolting. Climbing temperatures combined with food waste turn them into a breeding ground for bacteria and pests such as flies and maggots.
With the UK experiencing numerous heatwaves this year, hot weather has meant household rubbish decomposes faster, creating stronger, unpleasant smells. Those odours lure flies, which settle in and deposit eggs inside bins, leading to maggot infestations.
The salt solution
Teresa, who shares regular home hacks on her @withlove_tere Instagram page, revealed her single-ingredient solution. Describing it as one of her “favourite low-effort cleaning hacks”, she relies on salt to help “keep flies, maggots, and nasty smells far away” from wheelie bins.
She said: “You sprinkle salt on the bottom of your trash can to help keep flies and maggots away and wonder why you didn't do it sooner.” She added that the hack is “budget-friendly, non-toxic, and actually works”, noting that salt absorbs moisture, which “slows down the breakdown of food and makes your trash way less appealing to bugs”.
Cleaning experts behind the Instagram account @thecleangroup also endorse the use of salt in wheelie bins. They said: “Sprinkle a handful of table salt after every empty. Flies hate salt. It stops any stary eggs or larvae from hatching, soaks up your bin juice and will kill any flies who eat it.”
How to apply the salt
Much like slugs and snails, flies and maggots have an aversion to salt. To eliminate them, liberally scatter table salt over the maggots and the affected area, then leave it in direct sunlight for approximately an hour. The warmth coupled with the salt dehydrates and destroys the flies and maggots.
After that, rinse the area and dispose of the maggots in a sealed plastic bag. Once removed, clean the bin thoroughly before adding further waste, and scatter salt at the bottom once more. It is worth remembering to wash and refresh the salt layer frequently, particularly during warmer weather.
To reduce odours and stop flies from invading bins, baking soda can also be used, as this powder absorbs smells and moisture, much like salt.
