How to Keep Flies Away from Your Trash Can

When it comes to keeping your home clean and odor-free, managing your trash can is essential. One of the biggest challenges people face is keeping flies away from their trash bins. Flies are not just a nuisance; they can also carry diseases and cause unpleasant odors. The good news is, there are effective methods to keep them away and maintain a cleaner, more hygienic environment. Here’s a guide on how to prevent flies from buzzing around your trash can and to keep your home healthier and fresher.

Understand Why Flies Are Attracted to Trash Cans

Flies are drawn to trash cans because they provide an ideal environment for them to breed and feed. The combination of moisture, food waste, and warmth creates a perfect breeding ground for flies. Additionally, the smell of decaying organic material attracts flies, making your trash can a prime target. Understanding this can help you find ways to reduce or eliminate the conditions that attract them.

Regularly Clean Your Trash Can

A clean trash can is one of the most effective ways to deter flies. Flies are attracted to odors and bacteria, which are common in uncleaned trash cans. Here’s how you can keep your trash bin clean:

• Wash Out Weekly: Make it a habit to wash your trash can at least once a week, especially if you frequently throw away food waste. Use a hose and mild detergent to rinse out any residue.
• Use Disinfectant: After rinsing, spray the inside of the trash can with a disinfectant. This helps eliminate bacteria and reduce odors that attract flies.
• Dry the Bin Completely: Before putting a fresh trash bag in, make sure the trash can is completely dry. Moisture inside the bin can accelerate decomposition, creating a stronger odor that attracts flies.

If cleaning your trash cans is challenging, consider scheduling a professional cleaning service for a more thorough job. Services like Patriot Cleaners provide specialized trash bin cleaning that can help ensure your bins are sanitized and odor-free.

Use Trash Bags Properly

Using trash bags can significantly help in controlling odors and preventing flies. Here are some tips on effective trash bag usage:

• Double-Bag Food Waste: For households that generate a lot of food scraps, double-bagging can help contain smells and prevent leaks.
• Seal Bags Tightly: Make sure to tie the trash bags tightly before throwing them away. This will help keep odors and liquids contained.
• Avoid Overloading Bags: Overfilled bags are more likely to break, which can lead to spills that attract flies. Leave a little space at the top so the bag can be securely tied.

Store Trash Cans Properly

Where and how you store your trash cans plays a big role in fly control. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Keep Cans in a Shady Area: Sunlight can increase the rate of decomposition, causing smells to intensify and attract flies. If possible, store your trash cans in a shaded area.
• Cover Trash Cans Tightly: Flies are expert scavengers and can find a way into almost any opening. Make sure the lids of your trash cans close tightly and, if possible, consider using cans with locking lids.
• Distance Trash Cans from Your Home: If you have outdoor trash cans, try to keep them away from windows and doors. This can prevent flies from entering your home and keeps any potential odors out of your living space.

Use Fly-Repellent Scents

Certain smells are naturally repellent to flies. Adding these scents around or inside your trash can may help keep them away. Here are a few options:

• Vinegar: Vinegar is effective at masking odors and can repel flies. Fill a small container with vinegar and place it near or inside your trash can. You can also add a few drops of essential oils, like peppermint or eucalyptus, to make the scent even more effective.
• Citrus Peels: Flies dislike the smell of citrus. Placing citrus peels at the bottom of your trash can can help repel them. Change them out weekly to keep the scent fresh.
• Bay Leaves or Cloves: These spices are natural fly deterrents. Placing a few bay leaves or cloves inside your trash can or trash bags can make a big difference.

Take Out the Trash Regularly

Keeping trash for extended periods is a sure way to attract flies. A routine for taking out the trash can help minimize odors and prevent flies from laying eggs.

• Don’t Leave Trash Overnight: If possible, make sure trash is taken out before the end of each day. Even small amounts of food waste left overnight can attract flies.
• More Frequent Disposal in Warmer Months: Flies thrive in warm weather, so during summer, try to take out the trash more often.

Add Baking Soda or Cat Litter to Trash Bags

Baking soda and cat litter are both great for absorbing moisture and neutralizing odors. Adding a small amount to the bottom of your trash bags can help keep flies away. Here’s how to use them effectively:

• Sprinkle Baking Soda in the Trash Bag: Adding a thin layer of baking soda to the bottom of the trash bag can help neutralize odors and absorb any liquids that may leak.
• Use Cat Litter as a Moisture Absorbent: Cat litter is excellent at absorbing moisture. Place a handful at the bottom of your trash can to keep the area dry and odor-free.

Consider Using Trash Can Liners

If your trash can doesn’t already have a liner, consider adding one. Liners provide an additional barrier between your trash and the can, reducing the chances of leakage and helping contain odors. Look for liners made specifically for trash cans that are easy to remove and replace.

Utilize Homemade or Commercial Fly Traps

Setting up a trap near your trash can can help capture any flies that come around. Here are two types of traps you can use:

• Homemade Vinegar Trap: Fill a small bowl with vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap. The soap breaks the surface tension, so when flies land on the vinegar, they sink and drown.
• Commercial Fly Traps: Many stores carry fly traps that can be hung near trash cans. These traps use attractants to lure flies and prevent them from breeding near your trash.

Schedule Professional Trash Bin Cleaning Services

If you find it challenging to keep your trash cans clean on your own, consider professional cleaning services. A professional cleaning service like Patriot Cleaners specializes in trash bin cleaning, ensuring your bins are sanitized, odor-free, and less likely to attract flies. Regular professional cleaning can also help prevent bacteria buildup and reduce the risk of pest infestations in the long term.

Keeping flies away from your trash can doesn’t have to be difficult. With regular maintenance and a few preventive steps, you can make your home a less attractive environment for flies and other pests. From regular cleaning to strategic placement and natural repellents, there are many ways to keep your trash cans fly-free.