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Environment

Other pages for Environment:
Climate Change | Business Energy Advice | Home Energy Advice | Environmental Health | Environmental Monitoring | Street Care and Cleaning | Flat Waste and Recycling | Business Waste and Recycling | University Waste and Recycling | What and where can I recycle?

Other pages for Household Waste and Recycling:
Refuse collection days | What goes into which container? | Garden Waste and Composting | Waste and Recycling advice | Reducing your waste | Getting Involved | New Waste Collections | Bulky Waste Collections

Maggots, pests and odours

Why am I getting maggots in my bin?

Maggots only exist if flies have been allowed to have access to your rubbish. If flies settle on your food waste they may lay eggs that will hatch into maggots.

Do not worry if you do find maggots in your refuse. While unpleasant, they are not a direct threat to health.

How can I prevent maggots?

Many people worry that their refuse and recycling will smell or attract pests, particularly in hot weather. The steps below are good practice for avoiding these problems.

• Do not leave any food out in the kitchen; dispose of it as soon as possible to prevent flies laying eggs on the food waste
• Never leave any pet food uncovered
• If you dispose of pet faeces in your refuse, clear up regularly after your pet and place in a securely tied plastic bag before disposing of it in the main rubbish bag
• Double-wrap waste meat, fish or dairy products
• Ensure rubbish bags are tied tightly
• If possible, store your rubbish out of direct sunlight
• Rinse out plastic bottles, cans and tins before putting them into your recycling box

Where you live

Page last reviewed 27 Feb 2008