Being outside is something that the majority of us love to do during the summer. The weather is warm and gathering in an outdoor space is something that can bring us all together, enjoying each other’s company and the time spent together.
But being in that outdoor space can have its downsides, too. One of the major downsides of being outside in general is having to deal with bugs and pests. There may be no worse form of that than seeing maggots on your patio.
Maggots are not only disgusting to look at, they are very unhygienic, too. They are one of the last things that you want to see when you are trying to spend time with family and friends, enjoy the weather, or just spend time on your patio.
If you are reading this, there is a good chance that they are ingrained in your mind in some way. They are small, white, wriggly, and disgusting. They tend to be around the same gross things: garbage and dead animals.
Since they are always moving and wriggling, it can seem like there are more of them than there actually are. Worst of all, it leaves you and anyone spending time on your patio feeling grossed out.
Thankfully, there are ways to get rid of those maggots and get back to spending time on your patio in an enjoyable way.
Why Are There Maggots on My Patio?
Before we worry about how to get rid of those unsightly little things, we must first ask why they are there to begin with. To do this, we need to look at the biology of these nasty little insects. Maggots are actually the babies of insects such as beetles, moths, and flies.
A maggot will hatch from that insect’s eggs and can take anywhere from 14 to 36 days before they will turn into fully-formed flies. Maggots can wind up on your patio due to a number of things, but it is ultimately because a fly has laid its eggs somewhere nearby.
Your patio can also be something of a host for things that serve as foods for maggots even in a limited nature. Female flies will generally lay their eggs somewhere within distance of a reliable food source like the aforementioned dead animal or trash bin.
Thankfully, there are ways to get rid of that maggot infestation before it becomes a serious issue.
How to Get Rid of Maggots on the Patio
1 – Spray with Insecticides
There are plenty of sprays out there that are meant to get rid of those creepy little critters regardless of what they may be.
It is important that whatever brand or type of spray that you get that you follow the package’s instructions to the letter. Any deviation could be unsafe or could lead to it not working.
Also make certain that you use protective gear and wash your hands thoroughly when you have finished. Pesticides have dangerous chemicals in them and any skin contact could lead to serious irritation or worse. Exercise extreme caution when using these pesticides.
The main ingredient in pesticides that makes them such a good solution is Permethrin. In addition to finding them in insecticides, you will find them in repellents, pet shampoo, and hair shampoo.
They serve different purposes for different things and should only be used when following the instructions on the container.
Make certain to spray the area surrounding your patio first. This is so you can create a barrier so that the maggots don’t continue to spread.
When you have isolated the area, you can concentrate on the areas of the patio that are the most impacted by these nasty little pests.
Depending on what pesticide you use, it could be a relatively instantaneous result or it could be something that takes several hours to really do the job.
Again, follow the instructions to avoid any confusion and to be certain that you are doing the job the way that it needs to be done.
2 – Use Boiling Water
One of the most effective ways to get rid of a maggot infestation is to use boiling water. This is great because it doesn’t require any additional purchases and lets you avoid using pesticides since they have dangerous chemicals in them.
Additionally, it is very easy to use this method. Make sure that you have a pot that you can comfortably carry when it is full.
Boil that water for around five minutes or so and then gently pour it where the maggots are. You want to do it gently because any splashing could splash back onto your legs or feet and lead to burns.
The maggots should die instantly and if they are in a small, quarantined space, it makes it easier to evenly distribute the boiling water. Even if they are in a wider space around the patio, you can just use this application a few different times to totally get rid of the infestation.
If there are maggots on your patio furniture, don’t use this method. The moisture from that water could lead to other issues on the furniture such as mold growth; dampness is another potential issue that could make your furniture unusable in the short-term.
Another thing to keep in mind is what kind of patio flooring you have. Concrete will have no issue with the water, but if you have a material that does not do well with water, think twice before using this method as it can cause issues with the flooring.
3 – Using Lime, Vinegar, or Salt
While this might not be quite as quick of a process as if you were to use boiling water or pesticides, this method is guaranteed to work eventually. You will also want to keep an eye on your progress to see if you need to add more salt.
The salt from these methods will suck up water that is taken in by the maggots. Eventually, they will die from dehydration. Vinegar might take a little bit longer, but can be helpful if you are willing to show patience and wait.
You can also use this method to make your area safe from future larvae problems. Using these salts will make the environment uninhabitable for maggots going forward since they require hydration to survive.
4 – Using Diatomaceous
This might seem like an unfamiliar one, but it can be just as effective as some of the other methods.
Diatomaceous earth is actually a natural rock that is used mostly as an insecticide or in cleaning. It acts in the same way as the salt in that it dehydrates the maggots, eventually killing them.
If you are looking to find an organic way of getting rid of your maggot problem, diatomaceous earth may be the way to go. It will also act in a similar way as the salt by making the area uninhabitable, keeping maggots away from your patio for the near future.
Even better, it is far more common to find than you may have thought. You can buy this powder at a local hardware store and take care of your maggot problem within a short amount of time. That is a quick turnaround to get rid of those maggots.
5 – Go to the Source
While getting rid of the maggots and doing something to keep them away is an effective method of handling the situation, you may want to just eliminate the source of the maggot infestation.
As stated previously, the most common causes of a maggot infestation are a dead animal or a trash bin. These are the sources of food for the flies and a great place for them to lay their eggs.
Check the area around your patio to make sure that there are no rotting materials. If you have trash containers close to the patio, move them. It really is that simple.
Also keep in mind that if you leave pet food outside, it can attract flies to lay their maggot eggs both in the food and near it. Bring that pet food indoors to keep it fresh and dry for longer while also ensuring that there are no maggots.
6 – Keep Your Patio Clean
Keeping the area around and on your patio clean and dry is also a great way to combat maggot infestations. Try using a combination of bleach and warm water to keep the patio clean and ensure that the hard-to-dry areas have as little contact with the water as you can.
Maggots survive in moist areas. If you keep the moisture away and keep the area clean, they will find the environment unfavorable and find a new place to gather. That will ensure that you won’t have to deal with any nasty infestations going forward.
Don’t let maggots become a problem; implement one of these effective measures to keep the area as clean and welcoming as it can be. Even if they do start to show up, you have several ways to send them packing.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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