Maggots can be gross and unsanitary. If your home has been infested with maggots, you will need to know how to remove them safely and effectively. The only way to eradicate a maggot infestation is to find and eliminate the source. Use this guide to learn how to kill maggots and keep them out of your home for good.
What Are Maggots?
Maggots are the larvae of flies and are typically found in decaying organic matter. They are small and worm-like with pointed heads and no limbs. Although they are typically no longer than 1 inch, as maggots feed and grow, they can become quite large. At first, they are soft and white in color, but as they mature, they turn gray or black and their bodies harden.
They are commonly used in forensic entomology — the study of insects and arthropods in relation to criminal investigation — but can also be useful as fishing bait, in wound debridement, and in composting. Once you know what maggots look like, it is easy to identify and eliminate them from your home.
Types of Maggots?
There are many types of maggots, each with their own unique characteristics. Some examples include:
Blowfly. Of the Calliphoridae family, blowfly maggots are typically found in decaying meat and are characterized by their shiny, metallic-looking bodies.
Flesh fly. The Sarcophagidae family of maggots are similar to blowfly maggots, but they are typically found in rotting organic matter rather than meat.
House fly. Muscidae maggots are found in rotting garbage and are often associated with unsanitary conditions.
Soldier fly. Stratiomyidae maggots live in decomposing organic matter, are used in composting, and are characterized by their hard, segmented bodies.
Dermestid beetle. Dermestidae maggots are found in animal carcasses and dried animal products. These maggots are characterized by their elongated bodies.
Where Do Maggots Live?
It is possible to find maggots in various habitats including forests, fields, and urban environments. Different species prefer different environments. They are attracted to dead animals, garbage, and feces, and can also be found where decaying organic materials are present like in wounds.
Signs You Have Maggots
The following are possible signs that you have maggots in your home:
A strong, unpleasant odor coming from a garbage or compost bin
Large numbers of adult flies visible around your home
Maggots, pupae, or adult flies in the soil near your home
Depending on the species and environmental conditions, a maggot’s lifecycle usually lasts 5-10 days. However, they can continue to reproduce if not eliminated effectively. Therefore, an infestation can continue indefinitely.
Why Do You Get Maggots?
Warm and poorly ventilated areas can provide an ideal environment for maggots to grow. Maggots require a moist environment to survive and thrive, so they are often attracted to areas with high humidity or standing water.
