Trash cans provide an ideal environment because they are often warm, dark, damp, and filled with food waste. Summer temperatures can speed up the process, allowing maggots to appear seemingly overnight even if the garbage did not look unusual the day before.
If you find maggots, remove the infested garbage immediately, seal the bag, and take it outside. Then clean the trash can thoroughly with hot water and household detergent, paying attention to the bottom, lid, sides, and any cracks where food residue may have collected. Let the bin dry completely afterward.
To prevent maggots from returning, keep garbage bags tightly sealed, remove food waste regularly, rinse containers when possible, and clean the bin often. Maggots are unpleasant, but they usually simply mean that flies found an easy food source. Keeping your trash clean, dry, and sealed makes it far less attractive to them.
