IRISH homeowners are being warned to complete a simple task before temperatures soar to 28C this weekend.
As the weather gets warmer, maggots and other insects are far more likely to invade your garden bins.
And one expert revealed how you can stop them from getting into your bins[/caption]
Met Éireann has said Ireland could be basking in scorching temperatures up to 28C within days as Europe’s heatwave drifts closer.
Parts of the continent have already seen the mercury rocket past 46C, shutting schools and causing a string of heat-related deaths.
And experts are now urging everyone to keep a close eye on their bins as the hot spell makes maggot infestations much more likely.
The warm air and leftover scraps in bins create the perfect home for these pests to thrive.
Mark Hall from BusinessWaste.co.uk recommends pouring boiling water straight into your garden bins if you spot any maggots crawling around.
He said: “The summer heat can turn bins into a breeding ground for maggots when household waste isn’t managed properly.
“It’s easier to prevent maggots making a home in your bins than it is to evict them.
“Making sure your bins are as clean as they can be before the weather gets warm is the simplest solution.
“Use hot water and a strong disinfectant or bleach solution (one part bleach to 10 parts water).
“Scrub the bin’s interior and lid thoroughly, focusing on corners and crevices where maggots might live and hide.
“Rinse well and let the bin dry completely before using it again.”
He also suggests scrubbing the bin with hot water and using a splash of disinfectant or bleach to destroy any hidden eggs before they hatch.
If you miss the eggs and see maggots already, just tip in a kettle of boiling water to kill them instantly.
Mark advises repeating this boiling water trick every few days while the hot weather lasts to stop new batches appearing.
Another tip is to sprinkle a layer of salt or garden lime across the bottom of the bin, as this dries maggots out and prevents flies laying eggs.
And if you can, try storing food waste in sealed bags or a compost bin so flies can’t get at it in the first place.
Double bagging meat scraps or anything smelly is especially important during heatwaves along with moving the bin into a shaded corner to slow down the maggots’ life cycle.
Mark says even a couple of these simple steps can save you the hassle of dealing with an outbreak when the weather peaks.
He also recommends giving your bin a rinse every week with hot water and cleaning products to keep smells and bacteria to a minimum.
If the maggots keep coming back, you could consider using a bin liner or old newspapers to cover the base and stop waste sticking to the plastic.
Mark added: “Maggots are quite prevalent in the summer due to the heat, but there are a lot of easy ways to prevent and remove them.
“Just applying a couple of these tips should be enough to prevent these pests from becoming a problem.”
