As spring brings milder temperatures and brighter days across the UK, it also introduces an unpleasant side effect: foul-smelling wheelie bins that attract swarms of flies as the plastic receptacles warm up. When the thermometer hits 15°C, flies begin depositing eggs, with wheelie bins providing an ideal breeding ground due to their humid, heated conditions that allow maggots to thrive.
During spring, it is crucial to monitor bins closely, as food waste leaking from rubbish bags offers an appealing food supply for these pests. Consequently, wheelie bins can quickly become infested with maggots as temperatures rise.
A simple rinse with a garden hose will not suffice, as stubborn food residue remains, generating unpleasant smells and harmful bacteria. Fortunately, Dean Botham from Wheelie Bins has revealed a simple method to prevent flies from laying eggs: using cardboard to manage moisture levels.
How to Maintain a Clean Wheelie Bin Using Cardboard
Food waste and leftover scraps contain significantly 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 decomposing material from substantial distances, and even trace amounts of moisture in a bin are sufficient to attract them during spring.
Cardboard, given its highly absorbent properties, effectively soaks up any liquid waste residue when placed at the bin's bottom. Lining wheelie bins with cardboard not only simplifies keeping them clean and fresh but also keeps them dry, making them considerably less appealing for fly breeding, as maggots cannot survive in such conditions.
Cardboard proves superior to other alternatives for deterring flies due to its thickness and durability. Unlike newspaper, which eventually deteriorates into pulp, cardboard maintains its structure.
Practical Tips for Using Cardboard
Save cardboard from delivery parcels, cereal boxes, or frozen food packaging. Flatten the cardboard and place it at the bottom of your wheelie bin before depositing rubbish bags inside. The cardboard gets removed during routine collection, so replace it each time the bin is emptied to maintain a maggot-free environment throughout the warmer months.
Additionally, double-bagging rubbish before disposal proves beneficial. Ensure all air is expelled from bags, as this helps minimise unpleasant smells. It is also advisable to position your wheelie bin in a shaded area, as direct sunlight increases the likelihood of odours developing and attracting flies.
