Hampshire householders urged by British Pest Control Association to check bins for maggots following hot weather

National trade body, British Pest Control Association (BPCA), has told householders in Hampshire to check their bins for maggots.

Flies are often found on refuse tips and dustbins, attracted by household waste which can be both a food source and breeding site. 

Eggs laid by flies can hatch in 24 hours during warm weather, producing maggots which can become fully developed in a week. 

John Horsley, technical officer at BPCA said: “This year’s long hot summer has been a bumper season for flies. 

“A housefly will lay a batch of around 120 eggs which can become adults within a week, while one bluebottle can lay up to 600 eggs, which in hot weather can hatch into maggots in just 48 hours. 

“Maggots will feed by burrowing into rotting food, particularly meat or carrion, so sheltered harbourages with a ready supply of food scraps, such as a household bin, can quickly become infested.” 

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Flies can be deterred by “scrupulous hygiene” and checking bins is an important part of preventing an infestation. 

BPCA’s top tips to fend off flies include: 

• Dispose of any refuse – but particularly food scraps and packaging - as quickly as possible 
• Keep bins clean with tight lids, well secured and positioned away from doors and windows 
• Have bins emptied regularly – commercial businesses could consider extra bin collections in hot weather 
• Keep meat and other food covered 
• Consider fitting fly screens over doors and windows in kitchen and dining areas. 

Flies are the UK’s most widespread pest and can be a source of food poisoning as well as sometimes carrying the eggs of parasitic worms. 

John added: “Flies will often commute from filth to food, and species that don’t bite will usually feed by vomiting saliva onto the food surface and sucking up the resulting liquid, contaminating food with bacteria from their gut and feet. 

“The Housefly is the most common species to cause a nuisance in homes and businesses, along with the Lesser Housefly, Cluster Fly and the Bluebottle. 

“There is a range of products – from fly-swatters to electric fly killers – that can be useful in the home, but if a situation is starting to spiral out of control, it really is important seek help from a pest management professional such as a BPCA member, as different species may need specific treatments.” 

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BPCA members are experienced professionals with access to a range of specialist products not available to the public. 

They are trained, qualified and regularly assessed to the British Standard in Pest Management BS EN 16636. 

The British Pest Control Association is the UK trade association representing organisations with a professional interest in the removal of public health pests. The group have access to a range of specialist products that aren’t available to the public.

For more go to bpca.org.uk/find.