A bin man has shared a simple way to stop maggots and flies from taking over your wheelie bin, but admits it's something many people are reluctant to do.
Maggots are one of the last things anyone wants to discover wriggling around in their wheelie bin. During warmer weather, they can quickly become a common problem for households, as flies become more active and food waste breaks down faster, creating stronger odours that attract them.
Tips from the bin man
Bin man and content creator @The No.1Binman took to Instagram to share a few tips. Kicking off his advice, he said: "To start with, if you got some smelly food, double-bag it.
"And once you have double-bagged it, make sure you squeeze the air out of it, make sure it's tied tight, and then put it in your bin."
For his second tip, the binman warned homeowners to keep their wheelie bin out of direct sunlight. He explained that the hot weather heats up your wheelie bin, which attracts more flies due to the smell.
Shade, closed lids, and freezing
If possible, put your bins in a shaded area or "anywhere you can" like under a chair. He stated that the only exception is on bin day, when you need to put it out in front of your house.
Next, he said to keep the lid of your wheelie bin closed. The bin man shared: "If the flies can't get in there, they can't lay the maggots to then be in the bin.
"Lastly, some people don't want to do this, but it's a possibility if you can. Put the food waste in the freezer, and then on bin day, put it in your bin."
Reactions and alternative method
Viewers of the video flooded the comments with their reactions to his tips. One person wrote: "food waste in our freezer wtf nah." Another wrote: "No way am I putting food waste in my [damn] fridge." However, surprisingly, some people shared that they have been doing the freezer trick for years, and it works.
Someone commented: "Food waste in bags in the freezer until bin day… WORKS!!" Another said: "I have done the freezer trick for years and it works a treat."
To help keep flies and maggots out of your bin, place some bread soaked in vinegar at the bottom. It's also a good idea to bag up your rubbish to help keep the bin cleaner. The strong smell of vinegar can help deter flies, while keeping food waste securely bagged can make your bin less attractive to them in the first place.
