Flies are often attracted to wheelie bins, mainly because there’s usually plenty of food in there. Once they are there, they lay their eggs, which can hatch into maggots in just 24 hours.
This is often made worse in hot weather, especially if the bins aren’t cleaned regularly. Although fairly harmless to humans, they are unsightly and most people don’t want them around their home.
Luckily, there are simple ways you can prevent flies and maggots from lingering near your wheelie bins. One method involves using two items you already have in your kitchen cupboards, so you don’t need to head out and buy expensive, potentially toxic solutions.
Home DIY expert Ken Long took to TikTok to share the handy hack. He explained: “Keep flies and maggots out of your garbage can. Sprinkle some cayenne pepper and cinnamon at the bottom of your garbage can.”
Explaining how it works, Ken continued: “The capsaicin [chili pepper extract] ]and cayenne pepper irritates the fly’s senses and they hate the smell of cinnamon. This will keep flies away from your garbage and keep them from laying eggs, so you don’t have to deal with maggots.”
It’s important to handle cayenne pepper with caution, especially when using it around your home as its pungent scent can cause sneezing or eye irritation in humans. When using in your bin, it’s important to avoid creating dust that might irritate the eyes of bin collections.
It might be best to place the spice within your wheelie bin liner and security tie it up on collection days, to prevent any mess or spillage.
How to keep flies from your bins
Wash your bins regularly with hot, soapy water. You can also use a mild bleach solution or vinegar to make sure you kill any potential eggs or larvae.
Using bin liners to keep your waste contained can also reduce spills, which might attract flies. Remember to tie the bags securely before placing them in the bin.
Make sure you don’t overfill your bins so you can close the lid tightly to prevent any flies getting it. If your lid becomes broken you should repair or replace them quickly.
Drain the liquids from your food before disposing of them in the bin. Remember to wrap wet waste, like tea bags and fruit peels, in newspaper or wet towels.
If you leave waste out too long, especially in hot weather, it can produce moisture, which can attract flies. Take the bins out if they’re too full.