Wheelie bins become a haven for flies in spring, but an expert says there's one item you can line your bins with that can help keep them at bay.
As spring ushers in milder weather and brighter skies across the UK, it also brings an unwanted side effect - pongy wheelie bins that attract hordes of flies as the plastic containers warm up. When temperatures hit 15°C, flies begin laying eggs, with wheelie bins providing the ideal breeding ground thanks to their warm, damp conditions that allow maggots to flourish.
During spring, it's vital to monitor your bins closely, as food waste leaking from rubbish bags creates an appealing food source for these pests. Consequently, wheelie bins can quickly become infested with maggots as temperatures climb.
A simple rinse with the garden hose won't cut it, as stubborn food residue remains, spreading unpleasant smells and harmful bacteria. Fortunately, Dean Botham from Wheelie Bins has revealed a simple trick to prevent flies from laying eggs - using cardboard to manage moisture levels, reports the Liverpool Echo.
How to maintain a clean wheelie bin using cardboard
Dean explained: "If liquid always seems to accumulate in the bottom of your bin, pad it out with cardboard or newspaper. This will absorb the liquid, then it can be disposed of afterwards."
Food waste and leftover scraps contain far more moisture than most people realise, which seeps through plastic bags and collects at the bottom of the bin, forming pools of liquid. Flies possess a remarkable ability to detect rotting matter from great distances, with even the smallest amount of dampness in a bin being sufficient to draw them in during the spring months.
Cardboard, thanks to its highly absorbent qualities, soaks up any residual liquid waste effectively when placed at the bottom of the bin. Lining your wheelie bin with cardboard not only makes it easier to keep clean and odour-free, but also keeps it dry, making it far less appealing for flies to breed in, as maggots simply cannot thrive in such conditions.
Cardboard beats other alternatives when it comes to deterring flies due to its thickness and durability. Unlike newspaper, which eventually turns to mush, cardboard holds its shape.
How can you stop flies from taking over your wheelie bin?
Simply save cardboard from delivery boxes, cereal packets or frozen food packaging. Flatten it out and lay it at the base of your wheelie bin before placing your rubbish bags inside.
The cardboard is taken away during your regular collection, so replace it each time the bin is emptied to maintain a maggot-free environment throughout the warmer months.
Additionally, double-wrapping your rubbish before disposing of it is well worth doing. Ensure all air is squeezed out of bags, as this helps to minimise unpleasant smells.
It's also advised to position your wheelie bin in a shaded area - direct sunlight increases the likelihood of odours developing and attracting flies.
