Did you know that maggots are baby flies in their larval stage? They are laden with harmful bacteria and gunk on their bodies, which may irritate the skin upon contact. It is crucial to get rid of grubs as soon as possible; these conical-shaped creatures have the potential to cause myiasis, a tissue-destroying disease of the stomach or intestines. If you have pets, they might face a fly infestation or acquire animal sickness when exposed to maggots. Let’s just say that you have a problem if maggots have taken over your bins and personal spaces.
This article will discuss easy yet effective ways to purge these maggots down to the core. But first, let us unravel some basic facts and information about maggots.
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What are Maggots?
Think of Maggots as the larva of a fly. What is a larva, you may ask? The larva is an insect or amphibian’s juvenile form before it metamorphosizes into an adult. Larvae are likely to transition into houseflies, cheese flies, blowflies, or mosquitoes.
Larvae (or Maggots) are born in dirt and also end up eating it until they transition into adulthood.
What is Causing Maggots in My House?
It all starts with a lack of hygiene and sanitation. Improperly sealed or aged garbage, fecal matter from pets, and uncleaned trash cans are all open invitations for maggots. These creatures eat and live in the dirt; eliminating these factors is crucial for getting rid of grubs.
How are Maggots Formed?
Female flies are likely to lay their eggs in unhygienic environments, such as the ones mentioned above.
Once hatched, these maggots dig deep into the dirt they were born in and feed on it until it is time to metamorphose.
How Long Does it Take to Get Rid of a Maggot Infestation?
It takes around five days for larvae to metamorphose, so you will likely get rid of the infestation soon.
However, the cycle will repeat itself if the unhygienic conditions are not dealt with properly.
How to Prevent a Maggot Infestation?
Here are some tips and tricks to help you keep these dirty creatures a gazillion miles away from you!
Dispose or Store Leftover Food Properly
Leaving leftover food overnight is likely to invite maggots over for a snack.
Properly Seal Garbage Bags and Trash Cans
Larvae are tiny creatures, the size of a thumbnail! They can easily creep in through cracks or unsealed surfaces.
Regularly Sanitize Trash Cans
Keep your trash cans clean, and don’t let garbage stay in there for too long.
Clean Countertops and Grimy Surfaces
Use synthetic or natural detergents to wipe off germs from surfaces that have a high affinity for dust, dirt, and gunk.
Mop or Vacuum Floors Regularly
Use antibacterial detergents to keep your floor clean.
How to Get Rid of a Maggot Infestation?
Deep Clean Your House
The kitchen is the most critical area to address since that is where decomposed food and garbage is likely to pile up.
Strong detergents and antibacterial agents are essential to purge these creatures from your house.
Pour Boiling Water
If you spot a herd of maggots, don’t hesitate to pour boiling water over them as it will kill them instantly.
Use Pyrethrum Aerosol
These aerosols usually come with a long straw-shaped nozzle to reach tricky and narrow corners of the house.
Use Electric Insect Killers
Blue light fly-trap machines are good gadgets to zap away incoming flies or mosquitoes. No flies, no eggs!
Make sure to place these insect killers at entry points; the blue light will act as bait.
When Should You Call a Professional Maggot Exterminator?
You would need the help of professionals when multiple sites of your house have been infested by maggots, such that at-home protocols would prove to be insufficient for their elimination.
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Peppermint
Picaridin.
Maggots eat live or rotting materials, which is why they belong to the family of decomposers. They can also eat necrotic or gangrenous (dead and infected) tissue.
Even though maggots pose health risks to pets and humans, they play a vital role in the ecosystem as decomposers by breaking down dead tissue and leaving behind essential nutrients.
Drenched soil makes it hard for maggots to consume oxygen, so they come out of the ground to breathe.
Maggots will only stay in their larval stage for 3-5 days, after which they will metamorphose into flies.