As temperatures rise, outdoor bins can become a hotspot for flies, but one cupboard staple can prevent this from happening. Flies are drawn to the smell of decomposing organic matter, especially food waste. An unclean bin and uncovered food attract flies to lay eggs, often several hundred at a time. Within 24 to 48 hours, these eggs hatch into maggots, which feed on waste and thrive in warm, moist environments.
Without intervention, maggots grow into adult flies within a week, repeating the cycle and turning your bin into a full-blown infestation site. To avoid this, professional cleaner Claire shared her go-to hack on Instagram @sisterpledgecleans to “keep flies away.” Claiming the hack works in any bin, she revealed that salt is the key to getting rid of these pests.
How Salt Works Against Flies and Maggots
Similar to snails, flies and maggots dislike salt. To kill them, cover the maggots and infested area with a generous layer of table salt, then let it sit in direct sunlight for about an hour. The combination of heat and salt dehydrates and kills the flies and maggots. Afterwards, rinse the area and dispose of the maggots in a sealed plastic bag.
Claire instructed: “Just sprinkle a generous amount of table salt at the bottom of the bin. Flies hate salt, and it soaks up any bin juice, preventing them from laying eggs or producing maggots. Say goodbye to pesky flies!” She demonstrated the method in her food waste bin, but it works for larger wheelie bins too.
Additional Tips for a Fly-Free Bin
Once flies and maggots are dead, thoroughly clean the bin before adding more rubbish and cover the bottom with salt. Wash and replace the salt layer regularly, more frequently during summer. Since reducing smells helps avoid flies, baking soda can also be used as an odour-absorbing powder that removes moisture, similar to salt.
