Prevent a Maggot Infestation in Your Santa Clarita Property
When you first moved into your home, chances are there were a few nightmares you hoped you’d never have to deal with…many of which involved nasty unwanted guests pests, like termites, rats, or even maggots. Maggots are dirty, slimy, gross bugs… but the ick factor isn’t the only issue here. If left unchecked, they can cause many problems in your home and spread all over your property.
But we have some good news for you: with the right preparation and maintenance, you can prevent maggots in the house.
What Are Maggots? How Can You Recognize One?
First things first, it’s important to know what a maggot is and how to spot them. Getting rid of different pests requires different treatment methods.
Maggots are fly larvae. Basically, when a fly lays eggs, they turn into maggots and hatch; then, they feed on anything that comes their way. They look like tiny, slimy cream-colored worms.
Maggots typically live about 5-6 days in this phase before they turn into pupae and ultimately flies. Unfortunately, they can become a problem any time of the year.
How Did Maggots Get in My House, Anyway?
Maggots don’t just show up out of the blue. If maggots are currently in your house, that means a fly first found its way into your home through an entry point and decided to lay eggs somewhere.
Flies tend to flock to rotting material, spoiled food, or old garbage and use that as their breeding ground. So, when they are found in a house, they’re usually in a kitchen – pantries filled with spoiled food, old pet food, unsealed garbage cans, old trash, and so on.
If maggots are in your house, there may be a serious mess that needs cleaning up. Of course, even when you’ve done everything right, pests can still invade in some cases. For flies and maggots, all it takes is one open window or a new potted plot from the local nursery.
Maggots are commonly found around:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Trash Cans
- Carpeted Areas
How to Treat Your Maggot Problem
The first step is to locate the infested areas and thoroughly vacuum your carpet or flooring. This is the most effective way to get rid of those maggots ASAP.
Then, you can start cleaning up the reason why they’re there. Toss out old food and filth, take out the trash, check areas where your pet eats and sleeps, remove clutter, scour the kitchen for problems, and clean the areas around the infestation.
If the maggots are outside, clear out any spoiled dog food, crumbs and leftovers, trash, and other garbage. Maggots are closer to worms than flies, so standard insecticides from Home Depot may not be effective. A safe DIY option is to mix vinegar and boiling water and douse the outdoor maggots.
In summary, these are the 3 easy steps to fix that maggot problem:
- Locate the infested areas.
- Kill the maggots and eggs with DIY options or professional assistance.
- Clean everything…and then clean again.
But if DIY tips aren’t helping and you want to make sure those maggots are exterminated, you will need an expert. The knowledgeable pest control technicians at No Bugs Termite and Pest Control, Inc can inspect your property for entry points, offer guidance, and apply treatments that get rid of maggots quickly and safely.
How to Prevent Maggots in the House
With regular cleaning and maintenance, it is possible to prevent maggots from getting into your house in the first place. Be sure to dispose of rotting food, old pet food, feces, and trash right away. No filth, no maggots – regular upkeep is typically all it takes to prevent maggots in the house!
Want some tips to keep maggots out of your life?
- Use trash bins with closable lids.
- Take out the trash on a regular basis.
- Monitor fly activity in your home.
- Clean your tabletops and kitchen counters after use.
- Toss leftovers or seal them in airtight containers.
- Seal cracks and crevices with caulk to limit entry points.
Call No Bugs & Take Back Control of Your Property
If you’re looking for a solution to your pest problems, contact the Santa Clarita pest control technicians at No Bugs Termite and Pest Control, Inc. With affordable and organic treatments, we can create a lasting protective barrier around your property that combats flies and maggots, scorpions, cockroaches, silverfish, fleas, ticks, rats, and more!
