Maggots are the larval stage of an insect or fly. The most common maggots you might find at home are houseflies, cheese flies, and blowflies. These tiny cream-tinged worm-like pests play an important role in decomposition because they feed on decaying organic matter. Unfortunately, maggots can also be a nuisance for humans or pets.
Accidentally ingesting a maggot from contaminated food can cause stomach upset or food poisoning. Also, some maggots carry harmful bacteria that can cause illness in humans. So, it is essential to understand how to deal with them effectively and prevent an infestation.
Raid insecticide, on the other hand, is a formulated fast-acting brand of pest control products that target indoor and outdoor insects. Raid products are also manufactured to deal with individual insects specifically. So, using it can address several insect-related issues.
This article discusses how to use Raid to address fly and maggot-related issues at home.
Does Raid Kill Flies and Maggots?
Yes. Raid fast-acting insecticides can kill flies and maggots. The active ingredients like pyrethroids, permethrin, or neonicotinoids are toxic to flies and their crawling maggots, killing them instantly upon contact. But then, you must always use the appropriate Raid product because there are different products, including baits, sprays, and foggers.
The Raid flying insect killer spray is effective against adult mosquitoes, flies, fruit & drain flies, boxelder bugs, and other household insects. Luckily, it will also deal with the larvae stage of these insects.
Raid fly insecticide kills flies and maggots on contact over a long period. If you are unsure about the types of maggots you are dealing with, you can use the Raid multi-insect killer that guarantees effective results on all insects.
You must also remember to follow the instructions carefully before using Raid fly insect killer to prevent damaging the environment, humans, and pets.
What Kills Maggots Immediately?
Maggots have soft skin. So, you can use different easy-to-follow methods to deal with them. Most affected homeowners, however, use boiling water, bleach, salt, and other homemade remedies to kill maggots. But here are four examples of the best techniques you need to try out.
1. Homemade products with high acidity levels
The unpleasant appearance and odour of maggots can be associated with decay. This will leave an unpleasant or off-putting feel to some people. So, using products like vinegar, bleach, and lime juice which contain high acidity can effectively kill them.
A solution containing concentrated ingredients will kill maggots. But for quick results, pour the solution directly on the maggots and around the affected area.
2. Special formulated insecticides
Foggers or insecticide sprays designed to kill maggots guarantee fast results specifically. However, you must always purchase the correct product containing synthetic pyrethroid compounds for improved outcomes.
Usually, insecticides can deal with a major infestation at home.
3. Boiling water
Pouring boiling water directly onto the maggots or the affected areas can be another practical and cheap approach to killing them. However, you must deal with the source of the problem to deal with the problem permanently and prevent re-infestation.
Unfortunately, boiling water is practical in minor infestations.
4. Salt
Using salt is an economical approach to killing maggots at home. Sprinkling salt directly on the maggots will dehydrate them and kill them instantly.
Overall, using salt can be effective in dealing with minor maggot infestations.
Pro Tip: Always remember that maggots are a health risk. They carry harmful bacteria that cause illness upon contact with humans or pets. Also, they might cause infections after entering open wounds or other vulnerable areas. So, use any of the four approaches mentioned above to deal with them, depending on the level of infestation.
Can Dettol Kill Maggots?
Yes. Dettol can kill maggot. However, it is not specifically manufactured to kill maggots or control the infestation. Instead, the active ingredients in this antiseptic are effective in dealing with them.
Dettol is an antiseptic and disinfecting product used against bacteria/viruses. It contains chloroxylenol, terpineol, and alcohol that are useful for personal hygiene, household cleaning, or wound care.
For effective outcomes, mix Dettol with enough water in a spray can (probably in the ratio of 1:20) and apply it directly on the maggots to dehydrate them.
Note that Dettol is available in different variations. So, you must check the ingredients on the label to know if it contains all the active ingredients toxic to maggots.
Does Bleach Kill Maggots?
Yes. Bleach can kill maggots quickly. However, compared to other insecticides, it is not the best or the recommended product to use. The insecticidal and disinfecting formulas in bleach are also toxic to most soft-bodied insects, including maggots. So, you must understand how to use bleach correctly to deal with maggots.
To kill the maggots instantly, apply the bleach directly to their bodies. But you need to dilute the bleach with enough water (preferably in a ratio of 1:9) for effective results on a severe infestation.
But remember that active ingredients in bleach can disrupt the cellular functions of leaves, causing leaf burn, root damage, stunted growth, and death. So, always be careful when using it as a remedy for killing maggots at home.
Overall, always use the appropriate bleach concentration to avoid damaging plants and other organic matter. Also, it is best to consult with a professional if you are unsure of how to use bleach.
How to Prevent Maggots From Coming Back?
Keeping your home clean and removing all decaying matter are two practical approaches to keep maggots from reappearing at home. Remember that some maggot species, like carpet beetles, can damage your property by feeding on natural fibres like cotton, wool, or silk. Therefore, you must deal with them appropriately to prevent re-infestation.
Here are a few practical methods you can use to prevent maggots from coming back.
- Always keep your home clean: The kitchen is the most common indoor room to find maggots. Therefore, you need to maintain hygiene by wiping off leftovers and spills from the floor or countertop to prevent an invasion.
- Seal garbage bags: Flies usually lay eggs in moist areas like garbage bins and compost piles. So, you must always keep the garbage disposal bin clean or seal the bag to prevent flies from laying their eggs inside.
- Clean up decaying organic matter in the garden/compost pile: You will find maggots in rotting food and vegetables in the garden. So, it is necessary to dispose of rotten food material appropriately to prevent maggots from multiplying. Most people bury rotten organic matter in the soil to fasten the decomposition process naturally.
- Reduce humidity and keep your home dry: Maggots thrive better in warm and moist environments. Thus, you should fix leaks around your home to prevent mosquitoes or other insects from laying their eggs in stagnant water.
- Dispose of rotten pet food and waste appropriately to prevent maggots from thriving and infesting your home.
- Use insecticides to kill the maggots if the situation worsens. But you must ensure to use of the correct insecticide for efficient control.
Ways to Stop a Maggot Infestation at home
Maggots usually hide in crevices, folds, or other sheltered areas where they are protected from sunlight and predators. Therefore, you must spray garbage cans or compost piles with rotting pet food to control the infestation.
But here are other ways to stop the infestation and ensure your home is free from danger.
- Deal with the source: The next step is dealing with the maggots to prevent further invasion after identifying the source of the problem. Remove all decaying organic matter in the garden and dispose of it appropriately. Most homeowners bury organic waste in a compost pit to convert it into manure naturally.
- Use natural remedies to deal with minor infestation: You can use salt, vinegar, diatomaceous earth, or essential oils to deal with minor invasions and prevent the further spread of maggots.
- Seal all holes and cracks to prevent insects from entering your home and laying eggs in selected hideouts.
- Cleanliness: You must regularly clean the kitchen or pet house to ensure no food debris is on the floor or countertop. Also, you must dispose of pet waste appropriately to avoid attracting flies into your home.
- Use the recommended insecticides: Most insecticides contain active formulas that deal with insect maggots. So, you need to use the appropriate insecticide after noticing maggots in the trash can.
Overall, you will stop maggots from multiplying by addressing the issue at its early stages. Always maintain proper hygiene to guarantee a clean environment.
Conclusion
If conditions are favourable, maggots can quickly multiply and become a pest infestation in homes, businesses, or other settings. Fortunately, Raid flying insect and multi-purpose spray contains fast-acting formulas that kill flies and other crawling insects on contact. The residual action will continue its killing effect over a long period.
For safety at home, you must consider the potential environmental impact of using insecticides. Explore other alternative pest control approaches for dealing with stubborn insects.