If the brown bin smells, it’s not just a problem for sensitive noses. The smell also attracts flies and maggots into the organic waste bin. I will reveal what you should consider in order to avoid an infestation of maggots in the waste.
In the summer, it also gets pleasantly warm in the bio bin. If the waste, high humidity or a rain shower bring moisture into play, then flies with their maggots in the bin will make themselves really comfortable.
Not only is the abode already set up ideally, there is also an abundance of food. This allows the brood to grow large without being disturbed. In order to prevent maggots in the bio bin, hobby gardeners can use the following tips as a guide.
Tips against maggots in the compost bin
The organic waste ferments and gives off a putrid smell when it gets warm. This attracts maggots into the bio bin. To prevent this, you should always put the bio bin in the shade in summer. You can also bind the stench with rock dust. Simply sprinkle the flour over the contents of the compost bin each time. Then cover it with a layer of newspaper, which will further reduce the smell.
Incidentally, rock flour is not only suitable for the organic bin, the intermediate layers of a compost heap are also covered with it. The stones ground into dust are rich in trace elements and minerals. The composition of these elements differs depending on where the stones come from.
In summer, you should take the waste from the kitchen to the bio bin every day. Thoroughly clean the bin after emptying. Vinegar and water is suitable – it cleans well. In addition, the strong vinegar smell drives away annoying flies. Allow to dry thoroughly before refilling!
Tip: If the maggots are already in the organic waste bin, add a layer of soil to the organic waste. This will prevent the maggots from rising further up.
Maggots don’t like dry rubbish in the compost bin
Prevent an overly humid microclimate in the compost bin! You can line the bin with newspaper or a paper bag to absorb any moisture that seeps down. Old sauce residues, dressings or other liquids have no place in organic waste. Put them in the household waste in a sealed container.
The experts at Berlin’s municipal cleaning department recommend an old tetra pack or an empty milk carton as a closed container. Always wrap other wet waste, such as tea residue, coffee grounds or old fruit, in newspaper before putting it in the organic waste bin.
Don’t put leftover meat in the organic waste
Even if some municipalities or waste disposal companies allow it, you should not put leftover meat in the organic waste. Flies find the smell of rotting meat irresistible and prefer to lay their eggs there. You should therefore wrap leftover meat in newspaper and then dispose of it in the residual waste.
Tip: Mix garden waste and dry lawn clippings with the organic waste so that it loosens up and doesn’t stick together as quickly.
Use paper bags for organic waste
Plastic is out and, unlike paper, cannot absorb moisture. To prevent fly and, in the worst case, maggot infestation in your kitchen, you should generally dispose of kitchen waste in a paper bag. And a plastic bag has no place in organic waste anyway.
