4 Ways To Get Rid Of A Maggot Infestation - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Get Rid of a Maggot Infestation PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Elmer Bensinger

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved

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  • Tackling Garbage Can Infestations
    • |
  • Using an Insecticide
    • |
  • Getting Rid of Maggots in Your Carpet
    • |
  • Preventing a Maggot Infestation
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
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  • Warnings
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This article was co-authored by Elmer Bensinger. Elmer Bensinger is a Pest Control Specialist with Eden Advanced Pest Technologies in Spokane, Washington. With over 20 years of experience, Elmer specializes in integrated pest management and products such as insecticides and rodenticides. He studied business at South Puget Sound Community College. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 17 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,793,983 times.

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.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Tackling Garbage Can Infestations

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  1. Step 1 Remove all garbage from the can. 1 Remove all garbage from the can. 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.[2]
    • 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. Step 2 Boil water. 2 Boil water. 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.
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  3. Step 3 Clean the garbage bin or trash can. 3 Clean the garbage bin or trash can. 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.[3]
    • 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. Step 4 Dry the trash can. 4 Dry the trash can. 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.[4]
    • Be sure to repeat this process every week or two in order to keep the maggots from returning.
  5. Step 5 Line your can with jumbo trash bags. 5 Line your can with jumbo trash bags. 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. Step 6 Crumble eucalyptus and bay leaves around the can. 6 Crumble eucalyptus and bay leaves around the can. 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.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Using an Insecticide

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  1. Step 1 Purchase a non-toxic insecticide. 1 Purchase a non-toxic insecticide. 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.[5]
  2. Step 2 Mix the pet shampoo with warm water in a spray bottle. 2 Mix the pet shampoo with warm water in a spray bottle. 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. Step 3 Collect the dead maggots. 3 Collect the dead maggots. 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. Step 4 Sanitize the area with an anti-bacterial product. 4 Sanitize the area with an anti-bacterial product. 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.[6]
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Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Getting Rid of Maggots in Your Carpet

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  1. Step 1 Sprinkle boric acid over the carpet. 1 Sprinkle boric acid over the carpet. 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. Step 2 Vacuum your carpet. 2 Vacuum your carpet. Thoroughly vacuum every nook and cranny of your carpeting.[7] 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. Step 3 Get a steam cleaner. 3 Get a steam cleaner. 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. Step 4 Purchase an insecticide solution for steam cleaning. 4 Purchase an insecticide solution for steam cleaning. 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. Step 5 Steam clean your carpet. 5 Steam clean your carpet. Run the steam cleaner over all of the carpeted areas of your house at least twice to draw out the maggots and exterminate them.[8]
    • Dispose of the used water outdoors in a sealed container if possible.
  6. Step 6 Collect the maggots and freeze them. 6 Collect the maggots and freeze them. 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.[9] Then, put them in the outdoor trash can.
    • Freezing is the most humane way to kill maggots.
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Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

Preventing a Maggot Infestation

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  1. Step 1 Use self-sealing trash cans inside your home. 1 Use self-sealing trash cans inside your home. 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. Step 2 Set up fly strips throughout your home. 2 Set up fly strips throughout your home. 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.[10]
  3. Step 3 Put screens on all of your windows and doors. 3 Put screens on all of your windows and doors. 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.[11]
  4. Step 4 Pour a mixture of bleach and water down your drains. 4 Pour a mixture of bleach and water down your drains. 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. Step 5 Keep unwanted meat products in the freezer until trash day. 5 Keep unwanted meat products in the freezer until trash day. 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. Step 6 Wash food containers before putting them in recycling. 6 Wash food containers before putting them in recycling. This helps prevent leftover scraps from rotting in the recycling container and attracting flies.
  7. Step 7 Bring pet food indoors. 7 Bring pet food indoors. 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.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question Are maggots dangerous to the human body? Community Answer 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 27 Helpful 59
  • Question How do you get rid of maggots coming in from behind a chimney breast wall? Community Answer 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 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 8 Helpful 30
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Warnings

  • Do not pour toxic chemicals into storm drains or sewers. Ammonia is extremely harmful to sea life. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
  • Never mix bleach with other products, especially anything containing ammonia. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • Do not use toxic insecticides in your home, as these can be harmful to humans and pets. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
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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 114 Not Helpful 45
  • To prevent maggots in the future, make sure to empty your trash can often and use sturdy trash bags. Thanks Helpful 96 Not Helpful 44
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References

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

About This Article

Elmer Bensinger Co-authored by: Elmer Bensinger Pest Control Specialist This article was co-authored by Elmer Bensinger. Elmer Bensinger is a Pest Control Specialist with Eden Advanced Pest Technologies in Spokane, Washington. With over 20 years of experience, Elmer specializes in integrated pest management and products such as insecticides and rodenticides. He studied business at South Puget Sound Community College. This article has been viewed 1,793,983 times. 8 votes - 87% Co-authors: 24 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 1,793,983 Categories: Fly Control Article SummaryX

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?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Carol Parker

    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:
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Elmer Bensinger Co-authored by: Elmer Bensinger Pest Control Specialist Co-authors: 24 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 1,793,983 87% of readers found this article helpful. 8 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote Carol Parker

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: Katie Doss

Katie Doss

Jul 22, 2017

"I had no idea I left meat in my trash can. I left home for 4 days and boom, it's not what I wanted to come..." more Rated this article: Thelma Robb

Thelma Robb

May 30, 2017

"I had an infestation of maggots in my kitchen/living room area. It was lino with throw rugs, so I took a chance and..." more Dr Anjan Chatterjee

Dr Anjan Chatterjee

Jul 9, 2017

"The wikiHow write up, point wise, has helped me understand how to get rid of maggots. One can use the point..." more Dea Jay

Dea Jay

Jul 20, 2016

"I used a yellow commercial mop bucket that had a wringer. I used boiling water with Clorox and a tad of dish..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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