If you open your trash bin to find small, white grubs munching on garbage or lining the sides, you’re likely dealing with maggots. These pests can quickly spread to adjacent cans or other areas of your property. Luckily, they’re easy to manage with professional trash can cleaning and a few preventive steps. Below are answers to some common questions that homeowners have about this issue.

What You Should Know About Maggots in Trash Cans

What are maggots?

Maggots are fly larvae. They’re cone-shaped, white or gray, and less than one inch long. Roaming flies will deposit their eggs in the trash because it is a dense food source with few predators. When this happens, it only takes a day for the eggs to hatch and begin feeding on your garbage.

Why are they in my trash can?

Maggots thrive in trash. When food scraps decompose in the cans, the process produces methane gas, which attracts flies. Inside, maggots feed on spoiled meat, pet food, animal products, and other sources of rotting protein.

Then, they develop into pupa after eating for several days, and finally into flies after 14-36 days. It’s a relatively short cycle, and if you forget to take the trash out, you can quickly have a significant fly problem on your property.

How do I get rid of them?

You must thoroughly wash and sterilize the can to remove any traces of food debris or maggots. The best way to do this is to schedule professional trash can cleaning services.

These technicians will safely work around lingering trash and use high-powered cleaning hoses to blast through the toughest debris. Then, they’ll clean the interior, exterior, and hard-to-reach places around the lid and wheels. This ensures that nothing remains to attract flies.

How do I prevent them?

Prevention is the best way to avoid maggots. First, always close the lid on your trash can, and use thick trash bags to prevent leaks. Also, try to seal food waste in a special area in your home until pickup day. However, bins will inevitably get dirty, so you should schedule professional trash can cleaning services when you notice a foul smell or grime accumulation.

 

If you want to schedule trash can cleaning, contact Always Clean Cans in Maryland Heights, MO. This veteran- and woman-owned company serves clients of every size throughout the St. Louis, St. Charles, and Metro East areas. They’ll ensure your home trash and recycling bins are clean, as well as help businesses with dumpster and roll-off trash can cleaning. Call (314) 736-1199 to speak with a representative, and connect on Facebook to receive news and updates. Visit them online for more information about their services.