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Maggots in the garbage can
Since the introduction of waste separation, almost every household has had at least one bio bin, although there is no obligation to use it. The organic waste is collected here. Unfortunately, especially in the warmer months of the year, these barrels attract a great number of vermin who like to lay their eggs here, from which the unpleasant maggots then hatch. However, effective control and prevention is possible in various ways. So you don't have to do without the organic waste bin.
Maggots - definition
Where do the maggots come from, which insects do the unpopular visitors to the compost bin usually come from? These are larvae, from which a wide variety of insects such as mosquitoes and flies, but also others, develop after a while. The larvae in the organic waste bin are usually fly larvae, but various beetles also lay their eggs here. The maggots are already in the second stage, as they hatch from the previously laid eggs of flies. However, there are also species of flies, such as the blowfly, which give birth to the maggots directly and thus deposit them in the organic waste bin.
Furthermore, there is the following to be said about maggots:
- feed on sewage gases
- these are developed in the compost bin, especially in summer
- hence the flies deposit their brood here
- the maggots hatch from eggs after just one day
- move forward with a crawling gait
- after three to five days they have developed into flies
- then these sexually mature specimens lay new eggs
- this is up to 150 eggs
A single fly that has found its way into the compost bin can become a veritable invasion of maggots within a few days if no direct action is taken. Depending on the cycle in which the compost bin is emptied, it can become a mass come to maggots, and a plague of flies is inevitable in such a case, because every time the bin is opened, the adult flies escape.
Bio bin definition
The compost bin, which either has a brown lid or is brown overall, was developed in the course of waste separation, but is not an absolute must in cities. It is equivalent to the compost heap that many hobby gardeners have created in a corner of the garden. Only the organic waste is disposed of here.
These include:
- Kitchen scraps such as potato peelings
- other peels or non-usable parts of fruit and vegetables
- lawn clippings
- other perishable waste that decomposes
Although sausage and meat leftovers are also perishable waste, these should not be disposed of in the organic waste bin but should be put in the residual waste.
causes
Causes of maggot formation
Organic waste decomposes very slowly. And therein lies the problem, because the decomposition produces putrefactive gases. The maggots, in turn, feed on these. If a compost bin is now open or is opened to throw in more waste, then these putrefactive gases get out and attract the flies. They put their eggs, from which the maggots hatch within a day, directly into the organic waste. This can lead to an explosive increase in maggots and green blowflies after a few days. If you are now thinking about throwing organic waste in the residual waste, you will have to deal with the same problem in summer. But there are home remedies and natural control methods that can be used against the strong formation of maggots.
location
Especially in summer, when it is warm to hot, it is important to find the ideal location for the organic waste. A shady spot should always be chosen. Because in direct sunlight and high temperatures, the putrefaction process is intensified, and the maggots can develop even better in the warm climate of the bin. Of course, just choosing a shady location does not prevent maggot infestation. In summer, a cool, closed basement or a cool garage is also the ideal place for the organic waste bin. If the other measures presented here are also taken, the maggot population in the bin can be extremely reduced.
When looking for a location, the following should also be considered:
- not outside near the house
- the flies are unsanitary
- can enter living rooms and kitchens
- unpleasant odors when opening penetrate into the apartment
Fight of course
If maggots are found in the bin, it is usually not possible to wait for the next emptying and action must be taken. The easiest way here is of course to pick up the maggots with your hands and dispose of them. But that is usually associated with a lot of disgust and not everyone likes to touch the crawling and teeming structures, even if gloves are worn. However, the following natural remedies can be used to combat the maggots.
- Fill in cat litter, dried grass or hay
- covers the rot gases
- removes moisture from the bin at the same time
- Sprinkle salt over the maggots
- removes moisture from the fly larvae
- they enter
Conventional rock flour or simple lime also have a drying effect, especially on the maggots. In the event of an infestation, lime or rock powder can be obtained from well-stocked gardening shops and poured into the bin already filled with waste. These natural substances do not harm the environment when emptying, but they can effectively fight the maggots.
Make Natural Spray
In order not to have to use insect sprays and thus the chemical club against the maggots, you can also make various sprays from home remedies yourself, with which the annoying fly larvae can be combated in a sensible way.
The following solutions are available for this:
- boiled pepper water
- the more pepper, the more effective
- spray directly on the maggots
- vinegar solution
- has a corrosive effect on fly larvae and maggots of all kinds
It is also often recommended to fight the maggots with detergent. But since this is biowaste that is also disposed of biologically after emptying, this is not a good biological solution. Because detergent is not a natural but still a chemical product that should not be used here for the sake of the environment.
Fight with predators
Maggots also have natural predators. And if they are used correctly, they can fight maggot infestation in the organic waste bin, but this can also have disadvantages. For this, the bio bins must be left open. Birds in particular enjoy the maggots, which are delicious for them, in the early morning hours, but the following undesirable events can also occur here.
- rats and mice are also attracted
- Birds pick apart wrapped rubbish
- Flies have the opportunity to lay more eggs
- therefore only open bins for a two hour morning
- however, you have to get up early for this
- because birds are active very early in the summer
Anyone who owns a pond or aquarium can of course also collect the maggots and use them as fish food. Reptiles are also happy about such live food, which in this way does not have to be bought in stores and is so much cheaper.
precautions
There are a number of preventive measures that should already be taken in the empty and cleaned bin. So the edges and the lid can be rubbed with vinegar essence, since neither the flies nor the maggots like that acrid smell. In such a case, however, the bin should not be in the immediate vicinity of the house, otherwise the vinegar smells, which are also unpleasant for people, will penetrate into the house or onto the terrace and balcony. A cloth with scents that flies and maggots do not like can also be attached under the lid. In addition, the following can be done to prevent maggot infestation.
- Always wrap organic waste in newspaper
- compostable paper bags are also allowed
- plastic bags must of course be avoided
- Magazine paper or greaseproof paper does not decompose
Newsprint or compostable paper bags also degrade over time. Above all, however, they absorb the liquid from the waste. This way there is less decay. Thorough cleaning after the bin has been emptied is also made easier, since liquid usually does not settle on the floor once all the waste has been wrapped up. After emptying, a thick layer of newspaper can be placed on the floor before the first garbage is put in. Cat litter has also proven itself here. This keeps the bin clean to a certain extent and maggots do not like it.
Empty frequently
It is of course up to the municipality in which cycle the organic waste is collected and emptied. In some cities this can take up to four weeks. But even if the bin is not completely full, it should always be emptied. This is because the maggots are often given no opportunity to develop.
After emptying
After a drain - measures
Measures should also be taken immediately after the waste has been emptied by the municipal waste disposal service. So it makes sense to clean the bin first after it has been completely emptied. Because the putrefactive liquid on the floor and residues on the edges and walls immediately attract the new flies to lay their eggs and thus the maggots again before the bin is even refilled.
The compost bin should be cleaned as follows after each emptying:
- Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose
- a high-pressure cleaner has also proven its worth here
- alternatively with a watering can
- To do this, turn the bio bin over
- so residues can drain off easily
- let dry well
- occasionally rub with quicklime
- this avoids unpleasant odors
When cleaning with quicklime, gloves and a face mask should be worn, because inhaling this is not entirely harmless. The skin should also not come into contact with the material. After rubbing out, the bin is rinsed well again with water and dried out completely in the sun.
smell killer
Natural odor killers
The flies are primarily attracted by the putrid odor emitted from the bin and then deposit their eggs here, assuming that the smell will provide a good source of food for the hatching maggots. Therefore, the odor should be contained and avoided. Especially in the summer temperatures, however, a very extreme odor development can occur. However, this can be counteracted with various natural means.
- Baking soda is a very effective remedy
- Line the floor with newspapers and give up baking soda
- a few tablespoons are enough here
- if the bin is made of metal, caution is advised
- Material can be attacked by baking soda
- better to put a small container of baking soda on the floor
- put crushed charcoal on the floor against odors
- Fresh coffee powder also helps against odors
Vinegar is also helpful, with which the bio-bin is thoroughly scrubbed out with water after it has been emptied and rinsed. will. Slightly more dangerous, but just as effective, is cleaning the bin with bleach. Four liters of water are mixed with three cups of bleach. A long-handled brush should be used for mixing and scrubbing, and gloves should also be used to protect the skin. Leave the mixture on for an hour, then give the bin a good scrubbing and then let the bin dry in the sun. Odor-forming organisms are destroyed by the resulting ultraviolet rays.
Other measures
Anyone who uses the bio bin often and likes it should invest some money so that the maggot infestation does not occur. There are lids for the bins that have an integrated bio-filter and are available in well-stocked specialist shops. Here, the maggots are kept away in a natural way. However, the filter has to be replaced every two years, but it prevents flies from entering unnoticed when opening. Furthermore, the following cost-saving measures can also be taken.
- Mixture of washing-up liquid, vinegar, water and fruit juice
- or sticky sugar water
- both attract flies
- set up these mixtures next to the bio bin
- Flies get caught in it
- this prevents oviposition in the barrel
A maggot infestation can also be prevented by attaching a cotton cloth to the lid of the bin, which has been soaked in various scents that the flies do not like and therefore do not fly to the bin when it is opened. The cotton cloth is ideally soaked in vinegar, orange, tea tree or lavender oil. The fabric should be regularly re-soaked with the fragrances, as these can quickly evaporate and then no longer have any use.
Use of organic waste bags
The use of organic waste bags is controversial and not permitted in every municipality. The bags, which are made from cornmeal, are said to be biodegradable and completely disintegrate after some time. But this also takes time, these bags usually only break down after eight weeks. It can also happen that the bags dissolve before the municipality collects the organic waste and leak into the organic waste bin, thus not fulfilling their purpose. Therefore, despite everything, these bags should be treated with caution. Before using them, you should also ask the local garbage disposal whether they are even permitted in your own community, so that a fine can be avoided in the event of a ban.
No chemistry
Better no chemical club
The chemical club should always be avoided. Because of course the bio bin can also be sprayed with an insect spray if the maggots are cavorting here. However, the fumes developed here not only harm the annoying insects but also people, especially if children or free-roaming pets live in the household, care must always be taken to ensure that they are not in the vicinity of the organic waste bin. Under certain circumstances, the spray with the small particles can scatter very far into the environment and can therefore also be inhaled by people who are further away. However, the following aspects are much more important for avoiding chemical agents.
- harmful substances can get into the soil after emptying
- the environment is adversely affected in the long term
- because these substances also get from the earth into the groundwater
- so the use of a "organic waste bin" is no longer given
- this was used to protect nature
Benefits of maggots
Strange as it may sound, maggots do have uses in nature. They decompose animal carcasses, for example mice or birds in the wild. And even rotting fallen fruit or leaves in autumn are decomposed by the maggots of the fly and thus provide good nutrients for the soil. If this happens outdoors and not in a closed bin, then it should not be avoided.