How to Get Rid of Maggots in Compost

Our fully inclusive guide on how to get rid of the pesky maggots residing in your compost.

Compost is an essential for all gardeners – anyone with green fingers will tell you that. If you want to grow certain plants and produce successfully to a high standard, you need to use compost. The downside of compost, is the pests that thrive and dwell within. Yep, you guessed it, maggots.

You’ll find maggots in your compost, for the simple fact that they thrive on products rich in nitrogen – which come from the decaying process. This is also precisely what creates a good compost fertilizer. Do you see the correlation?

The good news is, that maggots are actually harmless. Unlike other pests that can sting and bite, they pose no threat to us as humans whatsoever. However, it’s unlikely you’ll want them to remain within your compost bin – particularly if it resides nearby to your home. So what can you do to fix this problem?

Today, we’re here to help you with exactly that!

Read on for our fully inclusive guide on how to get rid of the pesky maggots you have residing in your compost.

Why Are there Maggots in my Compost?

First things first, there isn’t ever an issue without cause. Although we have managed to touch on it above slightly, in that maggots are attracted to and thrive within certain properties in compost, we haven’t thoroughly explored the question – why are there maggots in my compost?

Let’s take a look at the reasons why maggots tend to be found in compost.

• First of all, it’s important that you remember that maggots are the larvae – or babies – of the common fly. So where you have a maggot problem, you could already have, or end up with, a fly problem.
• Flies are instinctively attracted to compost, or areas in which there are a lot of rotting matter.
• These flies, once in contact with compost, will lay their eggs on the surface of the matter which is rotting.
• The eggs then, of course, hatch, and what do you get? Maggots!
• The larvae – or maggots – will then consume anything in their environment which is decaying. They particularly like discarded food and other kinds of organic waste.

The Pros and Cons of Compost Maggots

It might surprise you to hear, that compost maggots can actually be beneficial to your compost in many ways, as well as them also being disadvantageous.

With that in mind, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of having maggots in your compost.

ADVANTAGES:

The main advantages of having maggots in your compost are as follows.

• Maggots actually play a major role in the breaking down of nutrients in soil. This means that they affectively help out in the overall composting process.
• They actually help to recycle nutrients within the soil, aiding in its’ overall health.
• Maggots, of course, eat manure – yucky we know! This means that they help out in ensuring there is a reduced volume of manure in the soil, and keep it balanced.
• If you’re an allotment owner and have chickens – or even just like to keep the birds in and around your garden well fed – then good news, because they feed chickens and most kinds of bird.
• They also prevent microbes from getting to your waste. This means that they prevent the occurrence of bad – smelling methane gas.
• Maggots actually secrete chemicals which ultimately kill bacteria, which is no bad thing.

DISADVANTAGES

The main disadvantages of having maggots in your compost are as follows.

• In some cases they can over consume the nutrients in the soil, therefore reducing the overall nutritional value of your compost.
• There are other kinds of beneficial worms which thrive in your compost, and the presence of maggots could put them at risk and outcompete with them.
• In some cases, the problem could lie with you! For many people, and we don’t blame them, maggots are thought of as being gross, potentially too gross to live alongside. If you just can’t get used to having them around in your compost, then of course, that’s not beneficial to you.

Are Maggots Harmful to People?

Next up, we’re going to be taking a look at whether or not maggots can be harmful to us as people. Should you really be worried about maggots in your compost in regards to your safety and wellbeing?

• First off, they don’t bite. Which means they don’t pose an immediate threat of actually hurting you.
• However, having them in your compost could put you at risk of accidentally ingesting or eating them, and although they aren’t actually poisonous, they can actually cause different types of bacterial poisoning.
• These types of bacterial poisoning can include E – Coli, Salmonella, and Intestinal Myiasis.

When a person becomes infested with fly larvae, they may experience the following symptoms:

• Nausea and potential vomiting.
• Pains in the stomach region.
• Anal itching and rectal bleeding.

Are Maggots Harmful to Pets and Animals?

It’s not always just ourselves we’re worried about in the household. Many of us have furry friends and family member who we love dearly – so can maggots be harmful to them! Let’s take a look:

• Maggots can actually burrow themselves into the dirty skin, fur, and even wounds of an animal.
• If your pet does become parasitic, they may experience symptoms of a fever, lethargy and even shock.

We would recommend that if you suspect your pet has become parasitic or has maggots, you should get them checked by your vet.

Five Products to Help You Get Rid of Maggots

A lot of people, regardless of some of their advantages, don’t relish the thought of having maggots in their home vicinity, and would rather get rid of them altogether. Below, we’re listing our top five products to help you get rid of maggots:

Fruit Fly Trap
We often say the best solution is prevention, and by keeping your fruit flies at bay, you eliminate them hatching maggots.

Our #1 Top rated pick

Last updated: August 29, 2020

Reusable Fruit Fly Trap

BEAPCO 10048 Reusable Strike Fruit Fly Trap, Green/Clear)

• Non-toxic, no harsh chemical, and quickly eliminates fruit flies
• Fruit flies enter the trap, once entered they cannot escape and drown in solution
• Fast-acting, simply add solution and place around infested area

We often say that the best form of solution is prevention, and in getting rid of maggots, eliminating the source is crucial.

Fruit flies – as the name suggests – are attracted to fruit and other sweet smelling, sticky substances. With that in mind, this apple – shaped fly trap with a sticky solution inside is ideal for coaxing them, and trapping them.

They will fly into the trap on the premise of there being something appealing there, and once they enter, they can’t leave. They’ll then ultimately drown in the solution.

The great thing is, it’s none toxic, and has no harsh chemicals too.

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Maggot Barriers
These insecticides will keep your produce and plants safe from maggots!

Our #1 Top rated pick

Last updated:

Maggot Barriers

Bug Tested Grower Approved Maggot Barriers. Organic Insect Protection for your crops!

Maggot barriers do not only shield against maggots alone, but will keep your produce and plants entirely insect free for the entire season.

They are surprisingly easy to use, and should be applied to fruitlets early in order to have the best affect.

This will help to expand the growth of your fruit, and literally provides a physical barrier against any insect infestations – including maggots AND fruit flies laying their larvae.

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Multi – Use Insecticide Dust
This insecticide dust will help to eliminate maggots, flies, and other creatures.

Our #1 Top rated pick

Last updated:

Delta Dust Multi Use Pest Control Insecticide Dust, 1 LB

• Delta Dust Bed Bug Insecticide – 1 lb.
• Yield: 1 lb. of Delta Dust covers about 2,000 sq.ft.
• Target Pest: Maggots, Ants, Bed Bugs, Boxelder Bugs, Cockroaches, Crickets, Fleas, Firebrats, Silverfish, Termites, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Centipedes, Ground Bettles, Millipedes, Scorpions, Spiders, Sowbugs, Wasps, Bees, Webbing, Clothes Moths, Carpet Beetles, Pantry Pest, Plant Pest, Slugs, and Ticks.
• Active Ingredient: Deltamethrin, 0.05%

Insecticides, when used safely and properly are a great way of eliminating pests from your home and / or garden.

Once the powder is scattered in the area of concern, it will not only kill the pests at hand, but will also keep any other potential break – ins at bay.

Insecticides should always be used with caution as they contain dangerous chemicals, and should be kept away from pets and children at all times.

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Garden Lime
Alternatively, if you prefer opting for a natural method, using garden lime is a great way of keeping maggots at bay.

Electric Bug Zapper
Fifth and finally, we would suggest another preventative method in getting rid of the flies in your environment by investing in an electric bug zapper.

Preventative Measures Against Maggots

Okay, so we’ve taken a look at some of the best products that’ll help you to get rid of maggots, and prevent flies from laying their eggs on your compost.

But are there any other preventative measures you can take against maggots before they even become an issue?

Next up, we’re looking at the preventative measures that you should be taking against maggots.

Here are some tips you can easily follow to prevent maggots from getting into your compost in the first place.

• You should avoid putting discarded food on top of the compost at all costs. We would advise, instead, covering them with brown layers such as twigs, branches, wood, paper, and brown leaves.
• You should also be sure not to put too many layers of grass on the top of your compost. If you want to ward off maggots which are primarily attracted to decay and decaying areas, then you should try alternating layers of grass with brown layers.
• You could also try using ordinary, household vinegar on your compost. Vinegar can work very well as a fly deterrent, and will therefore prevent them laying the eggs that become maggots on and in your compost.
• It might surprise you to hear that adding lime or citrus matter to your compost will deter maggots from thriving in your compost. This is because the additives in them are discouraging to the maggots. Using pine needles is also effective.
• You could also consider putting a fly trap near to your compost – like we suggested above. This will attract the flies to the trap instead of your compost, and will ultimately stop them from laying their eggs – which become maggots – in your compost.

These are some of the most effective methods of preventing the cause of maggots before they become prevalent in your compost.

How to Get Rid of, and / or Kill Maggots?

If maggots are already a problem in your compost, then methods of prevention will be absolutely no good to you.

So if maggots are already an issue for you, how can you get rid of, and / or kill the maggots?

Let’s take a look at the best methods of doing exactly that.

• This one is commonly referred to by experts as the “band – aid solution”. This is because it’s effectively the manual method of removing maggots, as you do it by hand. If you do choose to go down this route, you should always be sure to either wear gloves or use a shovel. Alternatively, you could expose the maggots to birds and have them eat them, simply by taking the lid off of your compost bin. This way you’re helping the birds, and yourself!
• You should also be sure that you keep the moisture levels within your compost manageable for you. The ideal moisture level of compost which you should be striving for, is somewhere between it being dripping wet, and being completely dry. If your compost pile is too moist, then it becomes the ideal breeding ground for maggots, so you should avoid this happening at all costs. The trick to doing this, is by not overwatering your compost when you water it.
• In order to balance the nitrogen – rich levels of your compost, you should use carbon – rich things in your compost too. Some examples of carbon – rich produce include old hay, paper, wood carvings, dead leaves, and even cardboard. If you’re struggling with having too – moist compost, these items can also help to reduce its’ moisture, so it’s a win – win!
• You should also avoid putting food waste on the top of your compost. Old food is like a calling card for flies, and if they’re exposed on the top of your compost, then the flies are likely to breed and, you guessed it, produce maggots. We would recommend putting old food produce somewhere beneath another layer – ideally underneath some non – food materials such as twigs, leaves, dead grass, or newspaper.

We would also recommend doing your research, and being mindful of which materials and products you should and shouldn’t be putting into your compost.

Below, we’re going to be making a list of both the ideal and non – ideal materials for use on your compost.

IDEAL compost materials include:

• Leaves.
• Manure.
• Egg shells.
• Coffee.
• Newspapers.
• Grass which has been cut.
• Plants and branch pruning’s.
• Fruits and peelings.
• Vegetables.

NON – IDEAL compost materials include:

• Meat produce.
• Dairy produce.
• Diseased plants.
• Poisonous weeds.

Learn More About Other Affective Anti – Pest Methods from Pest Guide!

Here at pest guide, we offer a range of fully inclusive guides regarding affective anti – pest methods.

• We can offer you a one hundred percent safe method for eliminating any kind of pest.
• You can read plenty of different guides through our official website.
• We care! Not only about getting rid of your pest problem, but about the safety and protection of you, your loved ones, your pets, and even your property.
• We offer resources on how to find the best professional exterminators in the business for your pest problem.
• We even review pest products, so that you don’t have to!

We aim to make getting rid of your pest problem a non – stressful and easy experience for you.

How to Contact Pest Guide Today

If you have a pest problem, want to learn about preventative methods or are even just curious about the world of pest infestation and prevention, then visit our website today!

If you require any of our services at all, all of them are available to access online on our website.

You can even:

• Use us to get free quotes from pest control companies.
• Use our free online contact form.

It’s that easy!

Finally, to round off our guide on getting rid of maggots from your compost, we’re going to finish up with a few of our most commonly asked questions and answers regarding the critters themselves.