Flies and maggots in your wheelie bin: what helps

Why it happens

Flies look for exposed food waste to lay eggs on. An open or loose-lidded bin with loose food scraps, especially in spring and summer, is exactly that. Eggs hatch quickly in warm conditions, and the larvae - maggots - feed on the waste until they pupate.

Two things drive it above all: exposed food, and warmth. Anything that removes those two conditions makes your bin a much less attractive place for flies.

Prevention: the habits that matter

Work through these, in order of impact:

• Keep the lid firmly closed at all times, and check it still closes properly - a warped or damaged lid leaves a gap.
• Follow your council's rules for food waste. Where there is a separate food collection, use the caddy and council-approved liners (no plastic bags where the council forbids them); where food goes in general waste, wrap or bag it as your council advises.
• Keep caddy and bin lids closed and put containers out on your council's collection day.
• Rinse the bin regularly so residue does not build up on the walls and base.
• Do not leave bin bags sitting next to the bin - put them in and close the lid.

Cleaning a bin safely

If you find maggots, keep the lid closed and wait for the council to collect the waste rather than handling infested bags. Once the bin is empty, clean it with warm water and washing-up liquid or a dedicated bin cleaner and a long-handled brush, wearing gloves. Tip dirty water into a foul drain connected to the sewer, never a surface-water or street drain, and let the bin dry with the lid open. If an infestation persists, contact your council for advice.

A few safety points worth stating plainly: never mix cleaning chemicals - in particular, never combine bleach with anything else, as the mixture can release dangerous gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between products, and work in a ventilated space. Boiling water straight from the kettle can crack or warp plastic bins, so use warm tap water instead.

How a professional clean can help

Residue on the bin's base, under the rim and in the lid grooves can attract flies, and it is easy to miss with a quick rinse.

We give the empty bin a pressure wash inside and out, which can remove built-up residue. A clean does not guarantee flies will not return; the habits above still matter.

When to book

A one-off clean from £8.50 per bin can be booked once the bin has been emptied. Monthly plans - two, four or six cleans a month from £15 - help limit build-up through warmer months.

Cleans run Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and you do not need to be home. Just leave the bin empty and accessible on your service day.