Households across the UK are being urged to pour boiling water into their wheelie bins during the record-breaking heatwave to eradicate pests, particularly maggots. The fly larvae thrive in warm conditions and enclosed spaces with abundant food, making bins an ideal breeding ground.
Expert advice on using boiling water
According to Mark Hall from Business Waste, as reported by the Express, using hot water and disinfectant or bleach can remove maggot eggs before they hatch. If disinfectant or bleach is unavailable, pouring hot water directly into the bin should suffice.
Mark said: "The summer heat can turn bins into a breeding ground for maggots when household waste isn't managed properly. It's easier to prevent maggots making a home in your bins than it is to evict them."
Prevention and cleaning tips
He recommends cleaning bins before warm weather sets in: "Use hot water and a strong disinfectant or bleach solution (one part bleach to 10 parts water). Scrub the bin's interior and lid thoroughly, focusing on corners and crevices where maggots might live and hide. Rinse well and let the bin dry completely before using it again."
If maggots are already present, Mark advises pouring boiling water over them: "The extreme heat will kill the maggots instantly. Afterwards, dispose of the dead maggots and sanitise the bin with hot water and disinfectant."
Additional measures to deter maggots
Mark notes that maggots are attracted to food waste, which decomposes rapidly in summer heat. To deter them, he suggests disposing of leftover food in a compost bin where possible, ensuring food bags are tightly sealed, and relocating the bin to a shaded spot.
He added: "Maggots are quite prevalent in the summer due to the heat, but there are a lot of easy ways to prevent and remove them. Just applying a couple of these tips should be enough to prevent these pests from becoming a problem."
