It’s an unfortunate truth that most of us don’t want to think about. But, the reality is that one way or another, maggots may end up in your home at some point in time.
If you find this pest in your garbage can, you may be wondering, will bleach kill maggots?
Bleach will kill maggots. You can mix one part bleach with one part water. Close the bag or container that the maggots are in. Wait 30 minutes for the bleach fumes to kill the maggots.
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Read on to learn more about how bleach can help you get rid of maggots as well as other options to take if you don’t have any bleach on hand.
How to Kill Maggots With Bleach
If you’re going to be using bleach to kill maggots, the most important thing to remember is you need to wait anywhere from 15 to 35 minutes for the bleach to kill the maggots.
They don’t die from contact with the bleach itself. Instead, they die because of the fumes that are given off by the bleach. This can take some time, and it will likely not kill any unseen eggs.
If you’re dealing with a severe infestation, it might be necessary to repeat the process. You should also keep in mind that bleach can damage fabrics and surfaces, so use caution when applying it.
1. Locate Where The Maggots Are in Your Home
The first thing you’ll need to do is locate where they are in your home. They may have crawled into a garbage can, or they may be hiding in some other dark and moist place.
You may find them in several areas if you have a severe infestation. If you’re only dealing with a few maggots, however, it will be much easier to get rid of them.
2. Find a Safe Place to Contain the Maggots
Once you’ve located where they are, you’ll need to find a safe place to contain them. This can be a difficult task if they’re in a large area.
If you have a plastic bag, you can put the maggots inside and then seal it shut. If you’re using a container, you’ll need to make sure that the lid is tight.
They may be in a trash bag which is already contained and easy to close after applying the bleach.
3. Use Bleach to Kill Maggots
Mix one part bleach with one part water. Close the bag or container that the maggots are in and wait 30 minutes for them to die from the fumes given off by the bleach.
You may need to repeat this process if you have a severe infestation, but it’s best not to do so unless you have to.
Does Clorox kill maggots?
Yes. Since this is also a bleach-based cleaning product, you can spray this in addition to your mixture as well.
4. Thoroughly Clean the Area Afterwards
Once the maggots are dead, you’ll need to thoroughly clean the area. Bleach can damage fabrics and surfaces, so you will want to remove it from the treated area as soon as possible.
5. Use Preventative Measures to Avoid Maggots in the Future
Finally, you’ll need to use preventative measures so that this does not happen again.
Keep your garbage can clean and do not leave any food where maggots might be able to find it. This will help keep them out of your home for good!
What Kills Maggots Other Than Bleach?
If you don’t have bleach on hand, there are several other ways of getting rid of maggots from your home.
1. Use a Mixture of Cinnamon and Water
A mixture of cinnamon and water can help kill maggots. It will take longer than a bleach solution for the maggots to die, so you’ll need to wait between 4 and 6 hours.
You’ll need to mix one tablespoon of ground cinnamon with two cups of boiling hot water.
Pour the solution onto a rag or cloth and wipe down all surfaces in your home where you might find maggots hiding out.
This will not only get rid of maggots, but it will also leave a pleasant smell in your home.
2. Use Vinegar and Hot Water
If you don’t have cinnamon on hand, you can also kill maggots with vinegar and hot water. Use one cup of white distilled vinegar to two cups of boiling hot water for this solution.
If you’re wondering how to kill maggots in a trash can, this may be the best bet if you’re looking for a non-toxic solution.
You’ll need to wipe down the surfaces in your home where maggots might be hiding out, just like when using a mixture of cinnamon and water.
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, so it will help clean the area as well.
3. Use Table Salt and Lime Juice
Table salt and lime juice can also be used to kill maggots. Mix one tablespoon of table salt with two tablespoons of lime juice in a small bowl.
Pour this mixture over the maggots and wait for them to die. It will take around 15 minutes for them to die, so it’s a much quicker method than other natural remedies.
Once the maggots are dead, you’ll need to clean the area as mentioned earlier. Be sure to dispose of the maggots properly in a sealed garbage bag.
4. Use Other Household Cleaners
Will Lysol kill maggots? Absolutely! So will other common household cleaners, such as 409, Fantastik, and Mr. Clean.
Use these sprays directly on the areas where the maggots are hiding. Allow the cleaners to sit for 30 minutes to 1 one hour before rinsing them away with hot water.
If you’re killing maggots in a trash bin, make sure to close the bag so that the fumes do not escape and you do not breathe them in.
5. Use an Insecticide That Contains Pyrethrum
If you have an infestation in your home, it might be best to use a product that contains pyrethrum.
This natural compound is derived from chrysanthemum flowers and will kill maggots quickly when sprayed directly on them.
Different products contain different concentrations of pyrethrum so make sure to read the label carefully before buying.
Be sure to use caution when using any type of insecticide and follow all safety instructions.
6. Use Borax and Sugar
You can use borax and sugar as well to help kill off maggots from your home. Mix one part sugar with three parts Borax.
Place the mixture wherever you see signs of maggot infestation, such as garbage cans or underneath tables where food is stored. Since this is a powdered solution, it works very well for taking care of maggot infestations on carpets.
The sugar will attract the maggots while the Borax will kill them. Be sure to reapply as needed until all signs of maggot infestation have been eliminated.
7. Use Diatomaceous Earth
Another option for killing maggots is to use diatomaceous earth. This natural powder is made up of fossilized algae and will kill maggots on contact. It’s also safe to use around pets and people.
You can buy diatomaceous earth at most garden stores or online. Sprinkle it over the infected area and wait for several hours. Then, sweep up the dead maggots into a dustpan or garbage bag.
You’ll need to reapply diatomaceous earth every few days until all signs of infestation are gone completely.
8. Use Boiling Water
What kills maggots instantly? Boiling water. This will not only kill the maggots, but it will also kill any fly eggs that might be in the area.
If you’re wondering how to get maggots out of trash cans, this may be the best way.
Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil on your stovetop or use a tea kettle if you prefer. Allow the water to cool slightly before handling it, but make sure that it is still steaming hot when you pour it over maggots hiding out in an infested room.
This will kill maggots within minutes, making it the fastest treatment as well as a natural option for treating maggots in your home.
So if you’re wondering what kills maggots on contact, this is your best bet.
How to Prevent Maggots in Your Home
There are several things you can do to prevent maggots from invading your home in the future:
- Keep your trash cans clean, especially around the edges where maggots like to congregate.
- Dispose of food waste in a sealed garbage bag.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Clean up any spills or messes right away.
- Wipe down kitchen surfaces with disinfectant after each use.
- Regularly clean your refrigerator and pantry shelves.
- Remove any pet feces from your yard as soon as possible.
- Treat your home with diatomaceous earth or another natural repellent to prevent future infestations.
Keep an eye for areas in your home that are prone to moisture and maggot infestation, and consider treating these areas more frequently. This will help ensure that you remain maggot-free for many years to come.
How Do Maggots Appear Out of Nowhere?
You likely don’t notice maggots until they are in full swing because fly eggs aren’t easily visible to the naked eye.
Maggot infestations are caused by flies laying their eggs in an area that is moist, dark, and where food can be found.
Maggots are the larvae stage in a fly’s life cycle. They eat through organic material which can include meat scraps, animal droppings, garbage, feces and even decaying plant matter.
Maggots can quickly multiply once they’re in your home, so it’s important to act immediately if you notice them on your property.
A single fly is capable of laying dozens of fly eggs at a time. The eggs can hatch as soon as one day after.
If maggots are spotted inside of your home, there is likely an area that has become moist or dirty where the maggots have found a food source. Flies have entered this area and laid their eggs, which will then hatch into seemingly spontaneous maggots.
How Long Before Maggots Turn Into Flies?
Maggots will grow into flies by going through a pupa stage after they have hatched from eggs.
This can take anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on factors such as temperature and the type of food source that was available nearby when maggots were being fed upon.
Related: Can You Mix Bleach and Baking Soda?