Flies and maggots in household bins can be deterred with a 35p bottle of distilled white vinegar, applied to the rims and lids, according to pest control experts. The method disrupts flies' ability to locate food and kills maggots on contact.
Why vinegar works
James Copley, chief executive officer at Copley Pest Solutions, told Good Housekeeping: "Distilled white vinegar has a strong smell that disrupts a fly's ability to find food, so using it to clean residue left behind by food will make the area less appealing to flies."
A 568ml bottle of white distilled vinegar is available at Tesco for as little as 35p. However, Copley cautioned that not all vinegars are effective, warning: "It's important for homeowners to know that some vinegars actually have the opposite effect. Sweet and fermented smells attract flies and a lot of other pests, so if you use apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, you'll find yourself with more flies."
How to apply the solution
To treat a wheelie bin, spray a solution of equal parts vinegar and water around the rim and lid, then wipe the surfaces with a microfibre cloth to ensure even coverage and remove food residue.
Food Recycling expert Mill offered an additional method: "Water doesn't have to be boiling (212°F) to kill maggots - it just needs to have a minimum temperature of 140°F. Adding vinegar to the mix has the added benefit of deodorizing your trash, making it less likely for the maggots to return." For this, combine one part white vinegar with three parts hot water, pour into the bin, and let it sit for 30 minutes with the lid closed. After the maggots are dead, dispose of the liquid, rinse the bin, then spray or rinse again with the water and vinegar solution to disinfect.
Maintenance and reapplication
The vinegar's strong smell overpowers other bin odours, making the rim unsuitable for female flies to lay eggs, and it kills maggots through dehydration. Wiping away leftover food particles from the lid, rim, and inside the bin further reduces appeal.
Copley recommends a thorough deep clean of the entire bin with the vinegar mixture, including the outside, inside, lid area, and underside. Reapplication is essential, with Good Housekeeping advising spraying every couple of days, particularly after rainfall, and daily during very hot days. Regularly emptying bins throughout the summer also reduces the likelihood of attracting flies and maggots.
