Refuse collector Ashley, who posts advice on his The No. 1 Binman account, said there are several approaches to keep maggots away from food waste bins.
Double-bag smelly food
His initial suggestion is to ensure that any odorous food is double-bagged. When disposing of smelly food, put it in two bin bags instead of one to prevent flies being drawn to the odours.
Ashley added: "Once you have double-bagged it, make sure you squeeze the air out of it, then make sure it is tied tight and put it in your bin."
Keep bins in the shade
Another method to avoid maggots, according to the refuse collector, is to attempt to keep your bin away from direct sunlight when it isn't collection day.
"When it starts cooking and heating up, it attracts more flies because of the smell of it," he explained. "Try putting it in a shady area, under a chair, anywhere you can if possible."
Keep the lid shut
Ashley's following suggestion is to keep the bin lid shut as much as possible. He said: "If flies can't get in there, they can't lay the maggots to then be in the bin."
Freeze food waste
The binman acknowledged people might be reluctant to follow his final suggestion, but insists it's effective. He suggested: "Put your food waste in the freezer, then on bin day, put it in the bin. If you do a couple of them [his tips], it will help."
Dealing with an infestation
Should your bin already be infested with maggots, Ashley recommended sprinkling salt into the bin, as it's believed to eliminate them. Cleaning specialist Claire from Sister Pledge Cleans also advocates using table salt in bins to eradicate maggots. In her own post, she explained that salt works by killing maggots, drying out fly eggs, and absorbing the bin liquid and smells that initially attract flies.
