Creating a hostile environment … for flies

bouicca21

Each flat in my block has their own food waste container. We then empty these into a dedicated wheelie bin which is emptied weekly.  Despite all requests some people are putting out bags that not tied tight shut. Result: a weekly crop of maggots.

I wash the bin out every week with boiling water.  I then disinfect it, in the vain hope that this will deter the flies from using our bin as an incubator.  

Any ideas about what I can put in the bin that will deter the flies and continue working for a week?

thegreenone

You wash your communal wheelie bin?  What a good neighbour, just wish the others were too.  

Could you use bungy cords on the top of the wheelie bin to make sure it's fully shut?  With a note to the Users to seal it properly and one to the Waste Operatives about why and please leave the cords on the floor next to the empty bin.  Not in it!  Or perhaps something like swarfega or vaseline around the top of the wheelie so flies get stuck outside?

We had maggots in our kitchen caddy during last months super hot weather.  Fortunately, it was son who made the gruesome find and dealt with it.  After that, the whole caddy went in the chest freezer (minimal opening) and if we used more than one bag, that bag was frozen until it went out the night before pick up.  

Brambling

Lavender plants are meant to keep flies away so maybe try some lavender oil in the bin? 

Sunfl0w3r

Apparently bread soaked in vinegar will deter them