Your wheelie bin can quickly become a source of unpleasant smells, flies, and maggots, especially over Christmas if regular rubbish collections have changed
With Christmas just hours away, it’s time to start thinking about more than just presents and festive meals.
The holiday season generates more waste than usual, from leftover turkey and Christmas cake to mountains of wrapping paper and bottles however before you toss all that seasonal rubbish into your wheelie bin, there are a few things to consider. Not only will your bin be handling more than usual, but over the holidays, bin collection schedules can be disrupted, leaving your waste lingering longer than expected. Many local councils change their collection times during this period, so it’s worth checking your council website for updates to avoid missed collections.
Food scraps and packaging pile up, your wheelie bin can quickly become a source of unpleasant smells, flies, and maggots especially with the bin sitting full for longer periods, you may find yourself dealing with unwanted pests or foul odours. Here are some simple ways to keep your wheelie bin fresh and clean during the holiday season.
Use the right bags
Start by double-bagging food scraps, especially meat and bones. Squeeze out the air before sealing the bags to slow down decomposition and reduce odours. Avoid using regular carrier bags, as these often have holes that let air in. Instead, opt for swing or pedal bin liners that seal tightly. When dealing with recyclables, rinse plastic bottles, cans, and containers to remove any food residue, which can cause your recycling bin to smell.
Not that there will be much sunlight over the coming days, but store your bins in a shaded area, if possible. Direct sunlight will warm the contents, speeding up decomposition and attracting flies. Keeping the lid tightly closed helps keep unwanted pests out.
Avoid flies
To avoid attracting flies, place food waste directly into your bin as soon as possible. Make sure the lid is securely closed at all times. Storing your bin in a shaded area helps, as flies are drawn to warmth. If flies do become a problem, consider rubbing citronella or tea tree oil around the rim of the lid. These natural oils act as insect repellents.
What to do if you find maggots
Maggots appear when flies lay eggs in food waste. If you find them in your bin, pour boiling water over the affected area to kill both the maggots and any eggs. After your bin has been emptied, wash it with hot, soapy water to remove lingering odours and prevent future fly problems.
Either get out the garden hose or hire a professional
For extra cleanliness, you might want to hire a professional bin cleaning service. These services disinfect and deodorise your bin, leaving it fresh and clean without you having to lift a finger.
