With another heatwave expected, flies and maggots are poised to invade bins, but a simple two-ingredient remedy can keep them at bay. Home DIY expert Ken Long shared on TikTok that sprinkling cayenne pepper and cinnamon at the bottom of a garbage can repels flies and prevents them from laying eggs that hatch into maggots.
How the spices work
Long explained: "Sprinkle some cayenne pepper and cinnamon at the bottom of your garbage can. The capsaicin and cayenne pepper irritates the fly's senses and they hate to smell the cinnamon." He added: "This'll keep flies away from your garbage and keep them from laying eggs so you don't have to deal with maggots."
The strong chemical compounds in these kitchen cupboard staples overwhelm flies' senses, deterring them from landing, feeding, or laying eggs. Cayenne contains capsaicin, which activates danger sensors on a fly's feet, antennae, and mouthparts. Cinnamon, containing cinnamaldehyde and natural oils, masks rotting food odors that attract flies and slows bacterial breakdown, reducing foul smells.
Handling precautions
Caution is advised when using cayenne pepper, as its pungent scent can cause irritation. To avoid creating dust that might irritate eyes, it's best to sprinkle the spice inside a bin liner and secure it with a tie on collection days.
Additional bin care tips
Other measures to keep flies away include washing bins regularly with hot, soapy water or a mild bleach solution to kill eggs and larvae. Using bin liners reduces spillage, and keeping lids tightly closed prevents fly entry. Reducing moisture by draining liquids from food and wrapping wet waste like tea bags and fruit peels helps, as does avoiding hot food disposal. Emptying bins regularly, especially in hot weather, is also crucial.
