Does Vinegar Kill Maggots?

Squirming, white and unsightly, maggots are a thing of fear for many people. The mere thought of the creepy-crawlies can torment those suffering from scoleciphobia, an abnormal fear of worms including maggots, as well as those not diagnosed with the affliction. Fortunately, various methods will eliminate the pest. Vinegar will kill maggots without polluting your environment with toxic chemicals.

The larvae of flies, maggots are more of a nuisance than anything else. Maggots feed on dead and rotten flesh and are not a threat to humans and pets. Used in various hospitals, physicians will place sterilised maggots on wounds to remove the dead flesh and help the area heal faster, according to "Discover Magazine." Even though maggots are a useful medical tool, they still make most people's skin crawl. Commonly found devouring dead animals, maggots are not an uncommon sight in garbage and rotting food. Any place a fly decides to lay eggs, maggots will appear. After you have eliminated the maggots, take proper steps to prevent their return.

Vinegar is a common ingredient in many homemade cleaning recipes. An inexpensive price tag and a versatile nature make this nontoxic liquid a sound choice for those looking for cheap, effective and natural pest control. To kill the maggots with vinegar, pour white vinegar directly over maggots living in garbage cans. Alternatively, fill a bucket with pure white vinegar and place any maggots found inside the bucket. Let the maggots sit in the vinegar for 20 to 30 minutes before discarding the dead bodies and vinegar. If the maggots were inside a dustbin, wash the can clean with a mixture of 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of cool water. The bleach solution will remove odours while disinfecting the garbage can. Rinse the dustbin clean with a water hose and let air dry.

Boiling water will kill maggots without any chemicals or expensive products. Simply bring a pot of water to boil on your stove and dump the boiling water directly over the worms. Another option to get rid of maggots without expensive chemicals is to sprinkle a large amount of salt over them. Any salt will work, since all types will dry out the worms. You can also purchase various pesticides to kill maggots. Choose a product that lists maggots in the pest control list on the product's label. Always read and follow all directions and warnings before using any type of chemical.

Since flies are attracted to garbage, keep your dustbin lid secure at all times. If the flies cannot come in contact with the trash, they cannot lay their eggs in it. Keep meat out of the dustbin until the night before or morning of the scheduled garbage pickup. This will help keep flies away from your trash and thus eliminate maggots.

Eliminate flies in the home. If no flies are present, maggots cannot develop. Besides killing maggots, vinegar will also kill flies. Fill a bowl with equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Drop 2 dollops of liquid dish soap in the mixture and stir with a spoon. Place the bowl in a location where flies are present and leave it sit for 24 hours. When the bowl fills with dead flies, discard and repeat the process.