Your bin is an excellent food source and breeding ground for flies but there are many things you can do to avoid them:
- Double bag food waste such as meat and bones, as this will help to reduce the smell and stop flies laying eggs on the food
- Rinse polystyrene food trays, yoghurt pots and other food packaging that cannot be recycled to reduce the smell of your refuse
- Rinse your bin out regularly and keep it clean
- If possible store the bin away from direct sunlight
- Keep the bin lid shut. If it's broken or does not shut properly contact us
- Hang an insecticidal strip inside your bin
- Compost your kitchen vegetable waste in a home compost bin
- If nappies are included in your waste, try reusable nappies
- Don't store food waste and unrinsed food containers in your kitchen bin. Empty it as soon as possible and seal the bin liner before placing in your black refuse bin
- The easiest way to sort your refuse from your recycling is to separate as you go. You may find it more convenient to have two small kitchen bins - one for recycling and one for your refuse
- Keep all food covered up and bag and bin waste straight away
- Try not to prepare too much food, so reducing the amount of food you throw away and saving money
Maggots
Maggots are caused by flies being able to lay their eggs on biodegradable matter.
If you do get maggots, the only effective way to get rid of them is to remove them along with the contents of the bin.
- Tip the contents of the bin into a plastic sack that can be sealed or knotted
- After the bin has been emptied clean and disinfect it well
- Place the plastic sack and its contents back into the bin ready for your next collection. If the bag remains sealed the maggots will not be able to escape