Maggots in Your House on the Floor? Here’s What to Do!

Maggots are some of the slimiest and most disgusting pests that can infest your home.

Unfortunately, no matter how dedicated you are to cleaning and maintaining your interior spaces, you may still find maggots on your floors.

Maggots are the larvae of adult flies that hatch a day after the fly lays her eggs.

The worst part?

They lay hundreds of eggs at one go. Not the most pleasant thing to come home to.

There are various areas in the house where you might encounter maggots, such as your ceiling, kitchen floor, or garage.

In this article, I will talk about the most effective tips and tricks to get rid of maggots on your floor.

Getting rid of a maggot infestation is only the first step.

You must ensure they don’t return ever again.

To do this, you need to know where they come from, how they develop, what’s the best method to kill them, and the preventive measures you should adopt going forward.

Why Are There Maggots on My Floor?

The first thing you need to know about maggot infestations is that they happen around and inside unhygienic conditions.

This includes rotten food, animal carcasses, pet feces, and other areas where dirt is left to accumulate.

Flies are attracted to these dirty spots because they smell bad, and they are the perfect place to lay their eggs.

These areas also have enough food for larvae to feed on once they hatch.

Unfortunately, it takes less than a day for fly eggs to hatch—just between 8 and 20 hours.

The maggots then feed in the area for 3 to 5 days before entering the pupal stage.

Overall, it takes around 14 to 36 days for an egg to grow into an adult fly.

These pests are a nuisance because they can quickly and quietly make themselves at home.

Maggots need to be dealt with at the earliest because they can potentially cause large-scale infestations, along with bacterial poisoning if they enter your food.

Maggots can also harm your pets, so it’ important that you get rid of any maggot infestations as quickly as possible.

How to Find Maggot Breeding Spots

The first step to removing maggots from your kitchen floor, garage, living room, or carpet, is to find spots where they might be breeding.

As mentioned before, flies lay their eggs where freshly hatched maggots can feed for a few days.

Look at your trash bins if they haven’t been emptied in a while. Any trace of rotten food can attract flies and lead to maggots in your trashcan.

Check every inch of your kitchen floor, as there may be bits of food or trash that you missed during your last cleaning.

While you’re at it, check the area where your pets sleep, in case there are dirt or bits of feces you have missed cleaning. And check your pet for any open wounds, as maggots can breed there, too.

If you have a garage, check for garbage or rotten food that may have fallen on the floor, or even a carcass of a small animal like a rat. Any of these things can lead to a maggot infestation on your garage floor. 

If you find maggots on the kitchen floor, garage, carpet, or any other flat surface, it’s time to deal with them.

Don’t worry, because I have put together a list of tried and tested methods that I’ve used to kill maggots, wherever they may be. So read on!

5 Ways to Kill Maggots on the Floor

1. Boiling Water

The easiest, most convenient way of killing maggots on the kitchen floor, in the garage, or any other floor area is to pour boiling water on them.

Hot water kills these pests instantly, with minimal effort.

However, it can create a mess, so be ready to clean it up.

The only downside to this method is that a large infestation can be difficult to deal with, especially if you find them in multiple locations around your home.

Still, you can boil enough water in one go before you begin your extermination!

2. Bleach Solution

Bleach mixed with water is another efficient way to get rid of maggots.

Mix one part bleach with one part hot, boiling water. Pour this solution on the affected area and watch it work its magic!

If you find maggots on a piece of old food, throw it in a trash can lined with plastic, pour the bleach solution inside, and close the lid.

The fumes from the mixture, along with the liquid bleach, will kill the maggots and make it easier for you to dispose of them. 

3. Insecticides and Pest Control Products

If you want to pull out the “big guns”, then there are a couple of products you can buy to knock out and help prevent further maggot infestations on the floor

The first is a highly effective insecticide known for its use against many common outdoor insects.

Wear a mask and gloves and follow other safety guidelines listed on the product as you use any insecticide.

This stuff works on a lot of nasty bugs and unwanted little creatures – as others attest, you’ll have no problems wiping out maggots with it!

Now, if you want to go completely non-toxic, there is another product I really like called EcoVenger .

I love that I can use this on floors, including in the kitchen where we obviously keep and prepare food.

As a fully natural product, it’s even got some university studies backing up its effectiveness vs chemical pesticides.

4. Boric Acid

Are you wondering how to kill maggots in your carpet?

Boric acid is a natural insecticide that will help you get rid of these slimy pests in no time.

First, sprinkle boric acid over your carpet liberally, making sure you cover the infestation well.

Then, use a broom to sweep the powder into the carpet. Wait a few minutes before checking if the maggots are dead.

Finally, vacuum your carpet to remove the mess. Dispose of the vacuum bag outdoors, if possible.

5. Dishwasher Soap

Another practical method of killing maggots you find on the floor is to use dishwasher soap. It contains borax, a natural insecticide.

Slowly drizzle the dishwasher soap on infested areas and let it sit for a bit.

You can also use this method to eradicate maggots in an infested carpet since the dishwasher easily penetrates the fabric.

How to Prevent a Maggot Infestation

Remember, your battle isn’t over with just getting rid of the infestation.

Once you’ve disposed of the maggots, it’s time to implement measures to prevent future infestations.

I’ve listed some things you can do to prevent maggots from entering your house again:

• Look around the house for entry points like broken window seals, cracks, or crevices, from where flies can gain entry into your home, and seal them.
• Make sure your kitchen surfaces and floors are always clean and hygienic. Regularly check corners and hard-to-reach areas and remove dropped food particles.
• Do not leave rotten food in your trash bin.
• Ensure you clean up thoroughly after your pet defecates.
• Always keep the lid of your garbage bin shut.
• Use electronic fly traps in and around your house.
• Grow plants around your house that are known to deter flies.

FAQs

How long do maggots live on the floor?

It takes about one day for a fly’s eggs to hatch, and the maggots that emerge will generally feed for 3 to 5 days.

This is followed by the pupal stage, and finally, adult flies emerge from cocoons. Maggots grow into adult flies within 14 to 36 days.

What kills maggots instantly?

The most popular and practical method to kill maggots instantly is to pour hot, boiling water on them.

You can also mix equal parts bleach and hot water to get rid of these pests instantly.

Does fly spray kill maggots?

Any insecticide spray containing permethrin can kill maggots.

Summary

Flies are very good at finding dirty areas in your home that contain enough nutrition for their eggs to feed on. Your floor is no exception!

Implementing preventive measures and keeping your home clean should be enough to keep maggots out of your house and floor areas.

Sharing is Caring!