The Kitchen Essential That Keeps Pesky Flies From Setting Up Camp In Your Trash Can

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You open your trash can, and buzzing bugs come flying out, swarming your face and escaping to different parts of your home. You tried to get rid of flies by removing what they are attracted to, but you can't necessarily keep them at bay. These insects are not only annoying, but can also disperse bacteria and diseases, harming you and your family. This leads you to give your bin a good scrub. However, sometimes a quick clean doesn't do the trick. Don't give up; instead, open your pantry and grab some salt, a kitchen essential that helps keep pesky flies from setting up camp in your trash can.

Good news first — not all bins get overrun with these pests; instead, garbage cans without lids attract more flies. Therefore, this leads to more opportunities for these eggs to be laid and more flies to emerge. But having a lid doesn't necessarily solve the problem. When you see flies, you need to nip the problem in the bud. The bad news is that flies will not succumb to this cooking ingredient; however, it does kill their larvae and young, aka maggots. These flying insects are attracted to rotting organic matter, like the food scraps in your bin, to lay their eggs. After a few days, these eggs hatch, covering your can with maggots. Since this mineral is hygroscopic, soaking up moisture from materials and items, it deters flies from wanting to breed, as well as immediately kills any eggs that happen to come into contact with it.

While using salt in your trash can is quite simple — sprinkle the substance all over the bottom of the container — you can include some additional measures to aid the entire process. First, remove the current trash in the bin. Thoroughly clean your garbage can before you place a new bag inside, covering the bottom with the salt. Then, wash and replace the salt layer periodically (more frequently during summer months). You can also use the salt to kill maggots prior to cleaning the can if there's an infestation. Thoroughly cover them with table salt and position the open can in the sun, letting the heat and salt dry up the larvae. Once the maggots are dead, rinse and disinfect the container.

For extra efficiency, you can also mix in lime powder, similar to Modernist Pantry Calcium Hydroxide (Slaked Lime). Take a mixture of equal parts of the white mineral and the powder and cover the bottom, coating any maggots you see. If the creepy crawlies are still alive after a few hours, add another layer. Another approach you can try is mixing in cinnamon, since it is an antimicrobial and a natural insect repellent. Remember that keeping pesky flies away for good means continuous cleaning and maintenance. Always dispose of your garbage and food scraps in securely closed plastic bags and close the can lid to prevent smells. If you notice spills, make sure to clean them right away.