Friday 29 August 2008

Waste Bins - Health and Hygiene Advice

Maggots can only exist in your bin if flies have been allowed access to your waste.  There are many things you can do to help prevent your bin attracting flies.

How To Avoid Unpleasant smells in your waste bin and attracting flies

  • Double bag food waste such as meat and bones.
  • Rinse out food pots/containers.
  • If possible store the bin out of direct sunlight.
  • Keep the bin lid shut at all times.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect your bin.
  • Use a wheeled bin liner (waste bin only)
  • Squeeze air out of bags used to contain food waste as the lack of air should cut down general decomposition and reduce smells and slow down the development of maggots.

If You Have Maggots in Your Waste Bin - What Should You Do

  • Tip the contents of the bin into a plastic sack that can be sealed if not already in sacks.
  • Pour in a bleach solution or very hot soapy water and dispose of the liquid down a foul sewer e.g. kitchen gully.
  • Put the sealed plastic bags back in the bin ready for collection - if the bags are kept sealed the maggots will not be able to escape.
  • Use a cleaning product with a fragrance as this will help to keep flies away.