How to deter flies from wheelie bins this summer

Summer is the peak time for most pests to appear, specifically the infestation of flies and maggots. Hot temperatures speed up food decomposition, attracting flies that lay eggs, which quickly turn into maggots. Bins, often filled with rotting waste, are the perfect breeding ground for these pests.

A TikTok creator, @no56northamptonshire, is urging homeowners to place slices of bread in wheelie bins to prevent the infestation. While it may sound odd at first, this little-known trick is practical and efficient, and can help all homeowners tackle the common seasonal nuisance.

How to do it 

Captioning the video, the creator shared: “A great tip to stop flies and maggots in the bin. Pop some bread soaked in vinegar at the bottom. I always bag up all my garbage to keep the bin a lot cleaner. No more flies or maggots.”

Bread soaked in vinegar can be an effective way to repel flies and maggots. Due to its strong, acidic scent, vinegar naturally deters flies, and the natural chemical can also dehydrate maggots and kill them on contact.

“Like many other organisms, maggots have a specific range of pH levels to survive. The acidic nature of vinegar disrupts this balance. When exposed to vinegar, the pH level of the maggots’ surroundings drops sharply, making it uninhabitable and ultimately lethal to them,” reported House Digest.

The experts continued: “The acidic nature of the vinegar acts as a pesticide, and within a few hours, you should notice a significant reduction in the maggot population.”

Taking to the comments, one person asked: “How much bread, and do you just chuck the wet, soggy, vinegary bread into the bottom of the bin?” The creator then responded: “I pop two slices and yes that’s the plan.”

Another person who tried this hack shared: “I leave the bread soaked in vinegar on top and yep it works.”

One person advised: “Just spray white vinegar and water, no need to use bread, then spray with jeyes fluid and water each time the bin is empty, it will determine flies and future maggots.”

Other ways bread can help you around the home

Bread can also double as a handy cleaning tool, particularly for delicate surfaces and small messes. Karina Toner, a cleaning expert at Spekless, explained to Homes & Gardens that “white bread is surprisingly effective as a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner for delicate surfaces.”

She added, “Its soft, porous texture is great for picking up fine particles and light moisture without causing damage. I’ve personally used it on picture frames and light wall marks — it’s low-effort and oddly satisfying.”