Tamworth residents may have experienced maggots breeding in their refuse during warm weather. Maggots will only appear in the bin if the eggs have been laid in a suitable food source for them to develop. Maggots in wheeled bins will not cause health problems. The following will prevent problems arising.

1. Waste should be bagged, particularly food (double if necessary for nappies where it is better to empty solid waste down the toilet and therefore reduce smells).
2. Recycle waste so that general refuse is minimised
3. Bins should be disinfected or cleanse with normal household cleaning products.
4. Food packaging eg tins should be washed
5. Keeping your bin in the shade if possible, with the bin lid closed

If maggots are found; Tip the contents of the bin into a plastic sac that can be sealed or knotted after the bin has been emptied.

Clean and disinfect it well then spray inside the bin with a long-lasting insecticide to discourage flies from hovering over the contents.

Notes about flies:

Adult female flies will lay their eggs on any organic material that will provide suitable food for the maggots when they emerge.

Each female fly can lay up to 500 eggs in three to four days. In the summer these can hatch into maggots in just 8 to 20 hours.