8 Natural & Chemical Ways to Get Rid of Maggots

Take care of infestations for good with these pest control tips

Co-authored by Elmer Bensinger and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: March 14, 2024 Fact Checked

When maggots get into your trash can or somewhere in your home, taking care of them quickly prevents them from growing into flies and spreading. No matter the size of the infestation, there are lots of household products you may have that kill maggots on the spot. We’ll go over the best all-natural or chemical options so you can say goodbye to a maggot infestation and stop them from coming back again.

Things You Should Know

Pour boiling water or a vinegar solution on maggots for natural ways to kill them instantly.
Sprinkle rock salt or diatomaceous earth over the maggots to dehydrate their bodies and kill them instantly.
Apply a bleach solution or chemical insecticide to the maggots for quick chemical control.

1

Pour boiling water onto the maggots.

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The heat of boiling water kills the maggots on contact. Set a large pot of water over high heat for about 5 minutes so it comes to a boil. Once the water is bubbling, pour the water slowly and carefully over any areas that are infested with maggots. Within seconds, the water will kill the maggots so you’re able to get rid of any material they were feeding on without them spreading.^{[1]
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- If the maggots are in the trash bin, close the lid to keep in the heat and more effectively kill an infestation.
- Boiling water works best outside or in garbage bins. Avoid using this method on your walls or carpet since the heat and moisture can lead to structural damage and mold growth.

2

Sprinkle salt over the infested area.

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Salt quickly dehydrates maggots to control them. Take a scoop of rock salt and spread it liberally onto the maggots to coat them. Watch the maggots for a few minutes until they stop moving, and sprinkle more salt on them if they’re still alive after about 5 minutes.^{[2]
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- Salt draws the water out of the maggots’ bodies and causes them to die of water pressure deficiency
- Alternatively, use garden lime to help control maggots in your yard or garden.

3

Apply diatomaceous earth around infestations.

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Diatomaceous earth cuts into the maggot to kill it faster. Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that sticks to the maggot to draw out moisture. Apply diatomaceous earth over the maggots so they’re completely covered. Wait about 5 minutes and check if the maggots are still alive. If they are, sprinkle a little more diatomaceous earth onto them.
- Diatomaceous earth works great for treating along baseboards, deep in carpet fibers, inside of your garbage cans, or around your yard.
- Diatomaceous earth can cause irritation, so avoid using it anywhere where kids or pets could get into it.^{[3]
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  National Pesticide Information Center
  Organization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticides
  
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4

Spray a vinegar solution on the maggots.

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Maggots can’t survive exposure to an acidic vinegar solution. Mix 1 part white distilled vinegar with 2 parts hot water in a spray bottle. Spray any areas that are infested with maggots to coat them with the solution and kill them. Alternatively, dump the solution directly over the infested area. While the solution will start working instantly, wait about 1 hour for the solution to kill all of the maggots.
- Apply this spray to the insides of your garbage cans once a week to help keep flies and maggots from coming back.

5

Leave maggots outside for birds to eat.

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Maggots make a perfect snack for hungry birds. If the maggots are in a trash bin or another container, take it outside and leave the lid open. Let birds find the bin and catch the maggots that are inside so they have a nutritious meal while helping you get rid of pests.
- If there are still maggots left over at the end of the day, use another control method to ensure they don’t spread to other parts of your yard.

6

Freeze the maggots for 1 hour.

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Maggots can’t survive long in freezing temperatures. Brush the maggot infestation into a dustpan and pour them into a resealable plastic bag. Make sure the bag is sealed tightly before putting it in a freezer separate from your food. Leave the bag in the freezer for at least 1 hour to kill all the maggots. After that, just toss the bag in your trash can.^{[4]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

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- This works best for smaller infestations and if you have freezer space away from food.

7

Kill maggots with a bleach and water solution.

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Contact with bleach or its fumes quickly takes care of infestations. Mix equal amounts of bleach and water together in a plastic or metal bowl. If you're dumping the mixture directly onto the area, gently pour it over the maggots to kill them. Alternatively, use a spray bottle to apply the solution liberally onto the infested area. Let the bleach sit for about 30 minutes before dumping out the solution and disposing of the maggots. ^{[5]
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- If you're dumping bleach into a trash can, close the lid after pouring it and let the fumes suffocate the maggots.
- Bleach can damage or discolor carpets and flooring, so always test the solution in an inconspicuous spot before applying it completely.

8

Spray chemical insecticides on affected areas.

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Chemical insecticides work well against serious infestations. Use a general insect spray for flies like Raid since they effectively kill maggots on contact. Alternatively, look for a permethrin pesticide, which helps get rid of maggots and fly eggs. Apply the spray directly onto the maggots and the surrounding areas to ensure you kill all of them.^{[6]
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- Chemical insecticides cause eye and lung irritation, so wear safety glasses and a face mask while you’re using them.
- Permethrin and synthetic pyrethroids can be fatal to cats, so avoid using them near your pets.^{[7]
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9

Keep areas clean and dry to prevent maggots.

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Maggots aren’t attracted to areas without a food source. Flies normally lay their eggs in wet trash because it's an easy food source. To prevent maggots from getting in your trash, keep all your trash tightly sealed in bags so they don’t leak. Whenever there’s a spill, wipe it up right away to prevent infestations. Other things that work well to prevent maggots are:^{[8]
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- Rinsing food containers before throwing them away
- Keeping garbage cans sealed tightly
- Putting screens on your windows to prevent flies from getting in
- Storing food and pet food indoors in airtight containers
- Hanging fly traps near your garbage cans
- Cleaning your garbage disposal

Expert Q&A

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Question

What should I do if I have a maggot infestation?

Elmer Bensinger
Pest Control Specialist
Elmer Bensinger is a Pest Control Specialist with Eden Advanced Pest Technologies in Spokane, Washington. With over 20 years of experience, Elmer specializes in integrated pest management and products such as insecticides and rodenticides. He studied business at South Puget Sound Community College.

Elmer Bensinger

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

The best thing you can do is call a pest control specialist. Ninety percent of getting rid of maggots is just locating the source. A pest control specialist will be able to help you find out where the maggots are coming from and get rid of them.

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Question

Do I need to use pesticides to get rid of a large maggot infestation?

Elmer Bensinger
Pest Control Specialist
Elmer Bensinger is a Pest Control Specialist with Eden Advanced Pest Technologies in Spokane, Washington. With over 20 years of experience, Elmer specializes in integrated pest management and products such as insecticides and rodenticides. He studied business at South Puget Sound Community College.

Elmer Bensinger

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

No, you just need to remove the maggot's food source. Once you do that, you won't need to apply any pesticides.

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Tips

Most maggots found in your home are contaminated with bacteria and could cause infections or food poisoning if you accidentally consume them.^{[9]
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Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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If you have a pet that has a wound with maggots in it, contact your vet for advice right away. They’ll recommend taking your pet in to make sure there isn’t an infection.

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Warnings

If you aren’t able to control a maggot infestation on your own, then contact a professional exterminator to care of the problem for you

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