Sprinkle This in Your Trash Can to Deter Flies & Maggots for Good
Taking out the trash is likely far from your favorite chore, but I bet it's even worse when dealing with a fly and maggot infestation.
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Flies are gross. One of my least favorite sights when hauling my trash to the county solid waste station is maggots. I don't know why, but the larvae of flies absolutely gross me out. That's why I'm always looking for new and effective ways to keep them out of my garbage. My wife recently came across one such hack online, which we were quick to try out.
Why Are Flies Attracted to Trash Cans?
Before taking a peek at how to deter these pests, let's talk about what attracts them to garbage cans in the first place. According to the pest control company Terro, flies require spaces that provide warmth, protection, and food when laying their eggs. As you may have already guessed, trash cans offer all these things, which is why they're a prime spot for insect breeding. Additionally, rotting organic matter is the preferred food source for maggots, so trash cans are like an all-you-can-eat buffet for flies.
How Do I Keep Flies and Maggots Out of My Trash?
If you already have a fly infestation, you can take care of the problem by washing out your cans with hot soapy water or vinegar. However, be sure to keep your cans dry when you’re ready to start stocking away trash bags again. Flies love spaces that are hot and humid, so keeping garbage cans dry can help you avoid yet another infestation
My wife recently came across the video above on Facebook Reels, which claims that pouring salt into your trash can will deter flies and maggots. The salt will help keep moisture out of the bottom of the can and even dehydrate any existing pests. A few days ago, my wife and I tried this on our garbage cans and have already noticed a difference. Some simple iodized table salt was enough to do the trick.
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