How to Get Rid of a Maggot Infestation

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Maggot infestations often occur in trashcans and underneath carpeting. They occur when a fly gets into a certain area and lays eggs. Often, the smell of rotting food will attract flies and maggots. Getting rid of a maggot infestation will take a little determination but is well worth the effort. To reduce maggot infestations, you should get rid of rotting food, empty and clean your trash can, steam clean your carpet and other areas of your home.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Tackling Garbage Can Infestations

PDF download Download Article
  1. You’ll need good work gloves to remove the garbage from the can. Get rid of any leftover debris at the bottom of the can. Put it in a garbage bag. Get rid of all garbage on collection day or take it to a dumpster. [1]
    • Organic and decaying matter attract maggots and remove the food source.
    • It is best to tackle the garbage can infestation after collection day, so that your can is empty.
    • You may also want to clean out your garbage disposal if you suspect that you may have maggots living in there as well. Pour boiling hot water and vinegar down the sink after you clean out the garbage disposal tank.
  2. When you are ready to tackle the infestation, fill a large cooking pot with water and turn on the stove. You could also use an electric kettle. Once the water is boiling, pour it over the maggots in the trash can.
    • Boiling water will instantly kill the maggots.
    • Make sure to hit every inch of the garbage can with boiling water.
    Advertisement
  3. Empty the trash can of all contents, including the dead maggots. Rinse out the can with a garden hose. Fill a bucket with hot, soapy water. Put on some work gloves and clean the inside of the can with a stiff brush and the soapy water. [2]
    • You can also use a mixture of one-part vinegar to two-parts water to clean the can.
    • You can also try rubbing down the interior of the can with mint oil, which is supposed to repel maggots.
    • Do not pour the water into a storm drain as they usually flow directly into local lakes, streams or other clean water sources.
  4. Since maggots love moisture, you want to thoroughly dry your trash. Put it in a sunny spot on the driveway. You could also dry it with a few rags. [3]
    • Be sure to repeat this process every week or two in order to keep the maggots from returning.
  5. Once you have removed the maggots and cleaned the can, you’ll want to ensure they don’t get back in. Line your can with large trash bags and then put a large elastic band around the edges, so that nothing can get between the bag and the bin.
  6. Flies and maggots dislike eucalyptus, bay and mint. Try crumbling some of the leaves of these plants and then placing them either inside or around the trash can.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using an Insecticide

PDF download Download Article
  1. Read insecticide product labels carefull to make sure you aren’t purchasing a product that is harmful to members of your family, such as dogs, cats or children. A safe and non-toxic product that can be used to get rid of maggots is pet shampoo containing one of these insecticides. Make sure to read the ingredient label to ensure that the shampoo contains an insecticide. [4]
  2. You’ll want to boil the water and then add it to a spray bottle with the insecticide. Then, spray the solution on the infested area. Allow it to sit for several minutes and soak the area.
    • You can use two-parts water for every one-part insecticide.
  3. You can use a broom and a dustbin or paper towels to collect the dead maggots. Put them in a sealed ziplock bag. Dispose of the maggots and the used towels in an outdoor garbage can or dumpster.
  4. You could mop it with warm water and vinegar. Make sure that you dry the surface thoroughly after disinfecting in order to prevent moisture from building up and attracting flies. [5]
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Getting Rid of Maggots in Your Carpet

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use a broom to wipe the boric acid into the carpet fibers. A natural insecticide, boric acid should kill the maggots.
    • You can purchase boric acid at hardware stores, large department stores or online.
  2. Thoroughly vacuum every nook and cranny of your carpeting. Pull out the vacuum bag and seal it in an airtight plastic bag or container. Freeze it to kill the maggots. Then, immediately put it in the outside trash container.
    • Freezing is the most humane way to kill maggots.
  3. Purchase or rent a carpet steam cleaner from your local hardware or drugstore. Renting is usually relatively cheap and is an invaluable tool for getting rid of maggots.
  4. Make sure that the insecticide you choose is safe for your carpets and non-toxic to humans and animals. Following the directions on the label, mix the insecticide solution with hot water. Then, add it to your steam cleaner reservoir.
    • You can even use pet shampoo that contains an insecticide.
    • You can use permethrin to remove indoor maggot infestations.
  5. Run the steam cleaner over all of the carpeted areas of your house at least twice to draw out the maggots and exterminate them. [6]
    • Dispose of the used water outdoors in a sealed container if possible.
  6. If you find a bunch of maggots in one part of your house, collect them with a broom and dustbin. Put them in a sealed garbage bag. Freeze them in the bag for at least sixty minutes. [7] Then, put them in the outdoor trash can.
    • Freezing is the most humane way to kill maggots.
    7. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Preventing a Maggot Infestation

PDF download Download Article
  1. Self-sealing trash cans close automatically, which prevents maggots from getting inside. Whenever your can is full, take the bag out and put it in the outside trash can.
    • If your trash can lid is broken, you should get a new trash can.
    • Seal extremely potent leftover foodstuffs in sealable bags before placing them in your trash can to avoid attracting flies.
    • Don't let your trash cans overflow with garbage.
  2. Fly strips are intensely sticky strips that catch and trap flies in your home. Place these strips near your trash can and around areas that the flies in your home tend to congregate, such as sinks. [8]
  3. If you already have screens installed, make sure that there are no tears or holes in the screens that flies might be using as highways to your home. [9]
  4. Doing so will eliminate any bacteria that may be acting as a breeding site for flies. You should clean the drains with bleach every two weeks.
    • You can use a half cup of bleach and a gallon of water.
    • You could also use a mixture of one cup baking soda and one cup vinegar. Pour the baking soda and vinegar down the drain and then run the water for a minute to clean the drain.
  5. Wrap meat products in newspaper or put them in a plastic bag. Put the bag in the freezer until it is garbage collection day. Then, throw them out with the rest of the garbage.
  6. This helps prevent leftover scraps from rotting in the recycling container and attracting flies.
  7. Leaving the food outside will attract flies that will hang around the site of your pet's food and potentially find their way into your home. By bringing the food indoors, you can reduce the possibility of flies laying maggot eggs on or near your pet's food.
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Are maggots dangerous to the human body?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they are.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 25 Helpful 56
  • Question
    How do you get rid of maggots coming in from behind a chimney breast wall?
    Community Answer
    Use a pressure washer, preferably with hot water. If the chimney is in working order, light a fire and burn them out. It may take a day or two to get them all.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 28
  • Question
    How do I get rid of maggots in my ceiling?
    Community Answer
    Determine the cause of the infestation and get rid of it. Then vacuum up the little offenders and throw away the bag. Maggots are fly larva, and they eat meat. Look for a dead rodent or something like that.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 29
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Maggots thrive in moist climates. Be sure to dry your trash cans and household surfaces thoroughly.
        Thanks
        Helpful 115 Not Helpful 36
      • Meat, fruit, and vegetable products are particularly attractive to maggots. Be sure to empty your trash frequently, especially if you throw away these items often.
        Thanks
        Helpful 113 Not Helpful 45
      • To prevent maggots in the future, make sure to empty your trash can often and use sturdy trash bags.
        Thanks
        Helpful 94 Not Helpful 44
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Catch a Squirrel
      How to
      Get Rid of Flesh Flies
      How to
      Kill Roaches with Borax or Boric Acid
      How to
      Get Rid of Ground Digger Wasps (Cicada Killers) from Your Lawn
      How to
      Keep Wool Clothing Safe From Moths
      How to
      Get Rid of Drain Flies
      8 Natural & Chemical Ways to Get Rid of Maggots
      11 Effective Ways to Kill Flies inside Your Home
      Get Rid of Fruit Flies & Houseflies with These Homemade Traps
      How to
      Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Your House
      4 Simple Ways to Capture Flies
      How to
      Kill Gnats in Houseplants Fast
      How to
      Make Natural Outdoor Fly Repellent with Essential Oils
      How to
      Keep Gnats Away from Your Face
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-the-kitchen-trash-can-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-204780
      2. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-garbage-can
      3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-the-kitchen-trash-can-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-204780
      4. ↑ https://www.nrdc.org/stories/nontoxic-ways-protect-your-pet
      5. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-garbage-can
      6. ↑ https://www.today.com/home/how-use-steam-cleaner-rugs-upholstery-more-t219497
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4445082/
      8. ↑ https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/flies/house_fly.htm
      9. ↑ https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/flies/house_fly.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get rid of a maggot infestation in your garbage can, start by removing all the garbage, as well as any debris at the bottom of the can. Next, boil a large pot of water and pour it over the maggots. Then, dump out the dead maggots, rinse the inside of the can with a garden hose, and clean it with a stiff brush and hot, soapy water. Afterwards, dry the trash can, line it with a new trash bag, and tie a large elastic around the edges so that nothing can get between the bag and the trash can. For more advice, including how to get rid of maggots in your carpet, keep reading.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,788,378 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Carol Parker

        Aug 15, 2017

        "Lots of excellent tips. I was away for a weekend and came home to find my bin covered in maggots. Ugh! I only had ..." more
        Rated this article:
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement