A binman has warned that leftover pet food can attract maggots if it is not disposed of correctly, urging households to place it in the food waste bin and bag it before doing so.
Ashley, who shares tips on his No.1 Binman account, recommended putting any leftover cat or dog food in the food waste bin. He added: “As long as it is only the food. The packaging itself can't be recycled, and it wouldn't go with it in the food waste bin. It wouldn't go in the recycling if it is a pouch; it would go in the general waste bin.”
Check local council rules
Ashley urged households to check with their local council to see which rules apply, as they vary by area. He said: “Your council may be different, do check. But most councils will let you put your dog or cat food waste in the food waste bin.”
Pet food can attract maggots because it usually has a strong odour and high moisture content. When it sits in pet bowls, flies can even lay their eggs on the food before it is put in the bin. If the eggs go unnoticed, maggots can hatch quickly and take over.
Bag pet food to prevent maggots
Ashley recommended bagging the pet food in small bags before placing it in the food bin to keep it contained. He said: “Make sure you put it in a bag before you put it in, because that will stink.
“You will get maggots for days. So, bag it up and put it in a compostable bag and in your food waste bin.”
The binman urged: “Make sure you put it out every single week, otherwise you will get the maggots and the smells. It is not worth it.”
