How To Get Rid Of Maggots On Floors – 2024 Awesome Guide

How to get rid of maggots on floors? Such a tricky question, right? Just a last night-leftover piece of food could cause a disaster the following day. Gross! The grubs are all over the area and could crawl to non-affected areas too.

That’s it. If you can take it anymore, let’s deal with it. I will show you the best ways to remove these repulsive insects from your house. Plus, remember to check out some tips to prevent maggots from wiggling on your floors next time.

Ew! Why Are Maggots On My Floor?

A maggot is a legless larva of a dipterous insect; in your situation, houseflies or blowflies are the most common cause of maggots. Female flies love laying their eggs in stinky areas such as improperly stored foods, inside a trash bin, dog feces, or even animal carcasses.

Uncovered food in the kitchen, improperly stored trash, or excess animal foods will create an ideal habitat for maggots to grow.

Vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, and a high risk of getting food poisoning are adverse problems if you accidentally eat spoiled foods ingested with larvae ⁽¹⁾.

The worst scenario is that these tiny insects can infest certain parts of your body. Myiasis is a rare infection caused by maggots that need professional surgery to remove the infester out of the body ⁽²⁾.

Maggots can appear on pets’ wounds if they are injured from running around the area near your house. If left untreated, your pet could suffer from severe serious problems, including losing vital organs ⁽³⁾.

What Do They Look Like?

Now, before you start, make sure that you know what you are dealing with. Here are some descriptions of the appearance of these flies’ larvae.

They look like pale white or cream-colored worms with two clawlike hooks on the edges of their body. Maggots are no longer than ¾ inch with no legs.

How maggots look like in a close-up view. Watch this video below:

Let’s Get Down On Business With The Maggots On Your Floor

It is time to remove the harmful and dirty maggots from your house. You will have to deal with it thoroughly from the source to prevent them from growing and multiplying.

Preparations Before Tackling The Maggots

Don’t just jump right in treating the larvae! There are vital preparations that you have to prepare to remove maggots from your house entirely.

Indicate The Source Of Maggot

If you want to eliminate the grubs once and for all, look for food spills, leftover foods around your kitchen. There is a high chance that your kids eat snacks or candies and just throw the leftovers all over the place.

You can also try to follow the odor smell. Flies can lay eggs on rancid foods or rotten fruits, so any area that has this bad odor might be the source causing maggots in your kitchen. Unsealed trash cans and garbage bags are also familiar sources of grubs.

Flies hovering around certain areas in your house is a pretty clear assurance for the place where these larvae are living. Hidden spaces around your home, such as crevices and cracks on the wall, could also be excellent habitats for maggots.

A cracked window seal or door can contain hundreds of maggots wriggling for food, so remember to check out these areas too.

If your house used to have mouse or rat problems, the dead bodies of this animal are a ‘yummy’ food for larvae. Animal carcasses have a really strong odor, so finding these sources should not be a problem for you.

Your pets could bring spoiled food from outside and bring them into your house. Check the areas that your pets usually play inside. The rotten food can be infested by the maggots and become the source of infestation.

Spring and summer offer a suitable environment for these worm-like insects to grow so they can be more active during the seasons. You better watch out for them during this time.

Arm Yourself

Wear gloves and boots to protect your hands and feet. Use rubber or plastic material because the area these larvae live in has a high moisture level. And I believe you don’t want to touch any spoiled food or smelly trash with your bare hands, right?

I also suggest you wear a mask to avoid inhaling such a foul odor. Not only the smell released from maggots but the rancid food or garbage as well.

Remove All Maggots Food Sources

Once you find the source causing the infestation, remove it immediately. Use a sealable plastic bag and put the source inside. Put it in a dumpster right away.

It’s Time To Deal With The Maggots

There are many ways you can use to kill maggots, and the good part is that most of the ingredients can be. Try the following remedies; you might find your favorite choice right here. Stay tuned!

Vinegar

Vinegar can act like bleach and disinfect the area from harmful bacterias. Create an equal amount of water and vinegar and pour directly on the maggots. The vinegar will kill the flies’ larvae and eliminate bad odors for the area.

You can also use a spray bottle to spritz at the area as an odor eliminator. You can also empower white vinegar with baking soda for an even more powerful cleaning mixture.

Bleach

Bleach is an extremely powerful way to eradicate maggots. Always keep in mind that bleach is not a friendly product, so always wear gloves, goggles, and a mask to protect yourself from the chemicals.

Dilute a bottle of bleach with water or create a solution of 1 ½ cups of hydrogen peroxide and a gallon of water. Then, cover the area with the substance, and all the maggots will be wiped out.

Salt

As salt can drain the moisture in the infested area, the grubs can not endure the dried habitat for too long and die. So, you can sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the affected zone to kill the grubs and clean them.

However, you need to notice that this method would not kill the maggots if you didn’t remove the larvae’s food source first.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has a strong enough acid content to kill the maggots, so you can pour lemon juice directly on the grubs to eliminate them. A mixture of salt, vinegar, and lemon juice should kick the gross maggots.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth has rough-edge fossils that can cut through the worm-like bodies and kill them. Just put the diatomaceous earth on the maggots; as they start to wriggle, they will damage themself.

Pet Shampoo With Insecticide

Pet shampoo is a healthy and safe insecticide to use in your house. The product is designed to kill larvae living on the animal’s hair, so it is sure to eliminate the grubs out of your living space. 

Create the solution from the pet shampoo and boiling water with a ratio of 1:2. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply it in the affected area for a few minutes.

After that, collect all the dead maggots using a broom. Place them in a sealable bag and throw them in the dumpster. Lastly, sanitize the area with warm water and vinegar or an anti-bacterial product.

Remember to dry the area to avoid leaving any moisture, forming an excellent environment for maggots to grow.

Get Rid Of Maggots On Kitchen Floor

Your kitchen is the most likely area to have the appearance of maggots because leftover foods and trash bins in your kitchen will attract flies from the natural environment. Let’s see how you can clean maggots out of your kitchen floor properly.

Preparation

• Boiling water
• 1 ½ cups of hydrogen peroxide (optional)
• A gallon of water (optional)
• A clean mop or cloths
• Little essential oil
• An insect growth regulator

Instructions

Step 1: Use boiling water and pour directly on the larvae-infested area; the water will kill the maggots. However, you need to be careful not to burn yourself while you are doing this.

Note: You can use 1 ½ cups of hydrogen peroxide to every gallon of water with a whole package of bleach to disinfect and kill unhatched maggots’ eggs in the affected area.

Step 2: Wait for the water to cool down and use a mop to clean the floor. Remember to check all the areas to make sure there are no remaining larvae in the area.

Step 3: You can repeat pouring the boiling water and mopping the affected area until the infestation is completely gone.

Step 4: Use a clean cloth or a mop to dry the area.

Step 5: You canadd a little essential oil to perfume the room with a fragrant scent. The fragrance will keep the flies away from your kitchens because they can’t stand the beautiful smell.

Step 6: Apply an insect growth regulator on your kitchen floor to prevent the flies from fertilizing and growing in your surroundings. Just follow instructions on the bottle of the growth regulator. You can apply the straw tip to treat affected cracks or crevices.

Additional instruction for a humane way of killing maggots

Step 1:You need to collect all the living maggots with a broom and dustbin.

Step 2: Then, put them in a sealable bag and freeze them for at least an hour.

Step 3: After that, throw them in a trash can.

What If I Have Maggots On My Garage Floor?

Usually, garages receive less cleanliness from their house owners. Dust, animals (rats), and leftovers from your pets’ food are likely the causes of maggots on your garage floor. If you rarely clean your garage, the unwanted maggot infestation might appear in your garage.

Most garages have dark and moisture corners that you might barely clean. Well, these are the ideal environment for flies’ larvae to develop. If you store garbage bins in your garage, the higher chance the maggots will infest the area. Now, follow the upcoming instructions.

Preparation

• Protective gear (Plastic gloves, boots, and a mask)
• Dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent (borax content)
• Insecticides (aerosol spray)

Instruction

Step 1: Clean the area with cleaning agents such as dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent. Choose the product that contains a small amount of borax to repel and kick the insects out of your garage.

Step 2: Cover the area with non-toxic insecticides. Although the product is labeled non-toxic, do not let your kids or pets access anyplace near the affected area at this time. Use the aerosol spray with a straw to let the insecticides reach the narrow space.

Ultimate Instructions On Kicking Maggots Out Of Carpet Floor

The same thing could happen to your carpet floor. Spilled snacks under your sofa or your pet sneaking some food on the carpet could cause maggots infestation on the carpet. Dealing with maggots on the carpet is a bit complicated, so read carefully.

Preparation

• Boric acid
• A broom
• Vacuum
• A steam cleaner
• An insecticide solution (you can also use permethrin, a pet shampoo with insecticide content)
• Hot water
• A sealable container

Instruction

Check The Carpet: Make sure your carpet can withstand the hot water and chemicals listed above before applying the method. Read the care label thoroughly and conduct some spot tests on a hidden part of your carpet to ensure that the procedure is suitable.

Step 1: Pat boric acid on the affected carpet.

Step 2: Broom the boric acid into the fibers. The acid will kill most of the maggots inside the carpet.

Step 3: Vacuum your carpet thoroughly; don’t miss any single area on the carpet.

Step 4: Take the vacuum bag out and seal it carefully. You can put the bag in an airtight container if the bag is not sealable. Keep vacuuming and changing the bag until there are no maggots sucked.

Note: You can add bleach to the plastic bag before sealing it; bleach will ensure that the maggots are gone. Then, you can dispose of it in the dumpster outside of your house.

Step 5: Create an insecticide solution from the commercial insecticide bottle with hot water. Then, you can add the mixture to the steam cleaner reservoir.

Note: Permethrin or a pet shampoo with insecticide content will also do the trick.

Step 6: Steam clean your carpet carefully. Go for a second round to make sure the larvae are drawn out of your carpet.

Note: Remember to discard the used water outside in a sealable container.

Step 7: Let the carpet air dry.

Wait! There Are Maggots In My Bathroom Floor Too!

Maggots could appear in your sink or bathtub when they find an excellent food source in the drain system. Dead animals deep inside the drain lines are the common source of the infestation. This also happens when you don’t wash the drains properly. 

Preparation

• A scrubber or a brush
• Boiling water
• Enzyme-based cleaner

Instructions

Step 1: Scrub the maggots out of the floor or the drains. You can use your regular scrubber or brush to remove the maggots.

Step 2: Pour boiling water on the larvae-infested area and leave the water there for half an hour.

Step 3: Apply some enzyme-based cleaner to the drains. Let the cleaning agent kill all the maggots and eggs inside the gutters.

Step 4: You need to repeat the whole process two times a day for a week; your bathroom will be spotless.

Hang On! Let’s Learn How To Prevent Maggot Infestation

Here are some tips on how you can protect your house from being infested by maggots. The critical advice is to clean your living space frequently and adequately.

Check Your Pets And Their Foods

Your pets could bring unwanted dust and even spoiled food after playing around in nearby areas. Watch them out carefully and wash them with pets shampoo to sanitize their body.

Don’t let pet food outside because flies could lay eggs on the food and cause infestation if there are leftovers. Be careful because your lovely pet’s health could be badly influenced after eating the food.

Cover All Foodstuffs And Litterbins

Always cover your unwanted food carefully before throwing it in the trash can. Any access to the food could give the flies a “tasty” environment to lay and raise their larvae.

You should use a  self-sealing trash bin to auto-close the lid and protect the trash from being infested by houseflies. When the trash is full, take the bag to the dumpster immediately to avoid overstuffing the garbage.

You should keep leftover food in an airtight container and place it in a freezer until the trash collection day to throw them away with other trash. However, don’t waste your food; try to finish them instead of throwing them in the dumpster.

Another helpful advice is to try a smaller bin for food and kitchen waste not to let the trash sit too long in the garbage bin. Change to a new trash can if the present one is old or broken.

A quick way to prevent maggots in your trash bin. Watch this video:

Install Screens On Windows And Door

An additional layer of the screen on the windows will stop the flies from invading your house. Check the quality of the screen before installing; any cracks or holes can let the flies enter your home.

Clean The Drains

Use an enzyme-based cleaner or the solution from the same amount of white vinegar and baking soda to pour at the drains. Slowly pour the mixture down to the gutters and flush the water to wash away both maggots and flies’ eggs.

Flushing will help clear out all the buildups and keep your drain system clear from grubs and other unwanted insects.

An additional way is to dilute ½ cup of bleach with every gallon of water and pour it down the drains. The bleach will wipe all the bacterias and keep your gutters free of maggots. You should clean the drains once every two weeks. 

Natural Fly Repellents

These natural ingredients can help get rid of the disturbing flies away from your house. Vodka and apple cider vinegar are excellent choices with a powerful smell that can keep the house flies away.

Other natural remedies that you could try are camphor smoke, lemongrass oil, or witch hazel. They produce beautiful aromas that house flies really hate; as a result, the flies won’t come close to your house.

Use Fly Traps

You can try placing electric fly traps or zappers around your home. The traps have a white UV light to lure the flies to come close to the device and kill them with electricity.

The zappers could also kill other unpleasant insects, so don’t use the trap if you raise other insects such as butterflies or bees.

You can also use fly strips or fly tapes and place them near the trash bin, sink, or drains. You know what, you can make yourself homemade fly traps with white vinegar (sugar, fruits, or meat are also an excellent bait) to eliminate the flies in your area.

You can learn how to create a DIY trap right now! Watch this video:

Fly Repelling Plants

A natural way to keep the flies out of your surroundings is growing fly repelling plants around your house. You can plant basil, marigold, lavender, or catnip to repel house flies ⁽⁴⁾.

Other choices you can consider are chrysanthemum, tansy, or citronella. These plants also produce a pleasant smell that is effective against the flies.

FAQs

Wait a minute! There are more untold mysteries about maggots that you need to know to handle the grubs. The information is right here!

You Better Start Preventing The Flies

Maggots and flies cause a lot of trouble around your health and your family members (including your pets). So you have to start preventing them at the beginning. Always keep your house clean and store the leftovers properly.

If you happen to know any other ways to get rid of maggots, share with me in the comment section. I would love to learn new and effective methods. Thank you a lot!

References

1. Healthline. 2022. What Happens If You Eat Maggots?
2. Cdc.gov. 2022. CDC – Myiasis.
3. Gail S. Anderson, N., 2021. Myiasis in pet animals in British Columbia: The potential of forensic entomology for determining duration of possible neglect. [online] PubMed Central (PMC).
4. Healthline. 2022. How to Get Rid of Houseflies at Home Naturally and Safely.