Further information

Preventing maggots and flies

Flies can only lay eggs if they have access to food. If you wrap your food waste securely flies will be unable to reach food and you should not have any problems with maggots and flies. Flies are unlikely to reach food if you follow some simple tips:

• Minimise your food waste – only cook what you are going to eat
• Do not leave food lying around in your home as flies could lay their eggs before you put the food in the bin
• Use dustbin bags that no not have any holes in them
• Keep the lid of your bin closed
• Double wrap food waste such as meat offal, skin and bones
• Double wrap disposable nappies, or try using real (reuseable) nappies – see Norfolk County Council website [external link]
• Compost kitchen waste such as vegetable and fruit peelings
• Rinse out any food packaging such as food trays or yoghurt pots in the washing up water before you put them into your bin
• Keep your bin out of direct sunlight

If you follow this advice then you should not have any problems with flies.

Cleaning your bin

The Council does not operate a bin cleaning service but following the tips above will help you to keep your bin clean. If it does become dirty you can rinse it out with a brush and some water and disinfectant.