Frequently Asked Questions about
Maggots
(Not about Maggot Therapy)
1. I have maggots in my garbage can. How can I get rid of them? How can I keep them from coming back?
Throw out your garbage. Keep your garbage covered so that the flies do not come and lay eggs in your can. Bag your garbage and seal the bags.
2. I have maggots in my ________ [fill in the blank with kitchen, bathroom, car, porch, ceiling . . . ] What should I do?
There are thousands of species of maggots (fly larvae), each with their own life cycle, food, and natural history. Each has its own reasons for being there, and each has its own best methods to get rid of them.
Moreover, many other insects look like maggots; for example, moth
and butterfly larvae ("caterpillars"), beetle larvae ("grubs");
even termites have been called "maggots" by some people. Half of
the inquiries we get are from people who actually are infested by
caterpillars or beetle grubs, not maggots. Therefore, it is
essential to get a definite identification of the critter before
determining how it got there or how to get rid of it.
Take some samples to an entomologist at a local school, the
Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, Vector
Control, or even a local exterminator. Most will identify the
insects without charge.
Whoever sees and identifies the insect will then be able to tell
you about its natural history, and how to get rid of it.
3. How should I kill maggots?
See also Number 2, above, to make sure that they are really maggots. Maggots are difficult to kill. It may take a lot of insecticide to kill maggots. Squashing works well. We kill them by placing them in our freezer, because this is quick and painless; but this technique is not for everyone. Simply dumping them into a plastic garbage bag and sealing the bag works well. Also, you can talk to your local exterminator for some suggestions.
Maggots have a limited life span and usually leave their food
source within a few days on their own accord. More important than
getting rid of them is keeping them from coming back. See FAQ #2,
above. Most common household maggots are attracted to decaying
organic matter (i.e., garbage, rotting food, dead rodents,
excrement, etc). Get rid of what you can, and cover what you can
not (i.e., garbage cans), and always store your garbage in sealed
bags.
4. Where do maggots come from?
Years ago, people believed that maggots formed by themselves in rotting organic matter (the theory of "spontaneous generation"). This theory was disproved over 100 years ago. Maggots hatch from eggs, laid by flies (most flies lay eggs, but some flies deposit live larvae, without a visible egg stage). The flies lay the eggs on rotting organic matter because they are attracted by it, and their larvae will eat it. Note that some flies lay their eggs on other foodstuffs, including fresh fruits and vegetables, or even on other insects that their maggots will parasitize. For an illustration of the fly life cycle, see the Fly Life Cycle diagram on our Home Page.
5. Can maggots multiply or lay eggs?
Maggots are immature fly larvae. They can not multiply or propagate. They will mature into flies (see maggot life cycles) over the course of days to weeks. The adults flies will then propagate.
6. My pet dog [or cat, rabbit, hamster, . . . ] has maggots; what should I do?
Maggots are attracted by soiled fur, excrement, rotting flesh, and wounds. Some maggots can be good; others can be dangerous. The cause of the maggots (a wound, infection, tumor) could be as serious or more serious than the maggots themselves. Therefore, they should be removed (washing with a mixture of 4 parts water with one part povidone iodine ("betadine") or household (3%) hydrogen peroxide usually works well. Keep the are clean and dry. Contact your veterinarian.
7. I think I ate a maggot. Will I die?
Yes, eventually; but probably not as a result of the maggot.
8. What should I do if I find maggots in my food, and possibly ate some?
Don't eat any more of that food. Save any maggots that you find (put them in rubbing alcohol) and show them to a professional (see FAQ #2). If you feel sick, consult a physician (you know I have to tell you that).
Most maggots are probably killed when you chew them (you chew
your food, don't you; like your Mother always told You to? If
not, I bet You will from now on). Most of the remaining maggots
probably were killed in the stomach. Those that were not killed
in the stomach might be able to cause "gastroenteritis"
(upset stomach, intestinal/abdominal cramping, diarrhea). We
really do not know much about intestinal problems from maggots
("intestinal myiasis"), and it is complicated by the fact that
maggots are usually present in contaminated or rotting food. So
the symptoms that have been associated with eating
maggot-infested food may actually result from ingesting the
bacteria that was spoiling the food and not from eating the
maggots.
9. How can I support your work? This internet site helped me, and your research helps thousands of people get treatment for their wounds. How can I help the patients who can not afford the cost of maggots? How can I help support maggot therapy research?
You can find information about supporting our work with tax-deductible donations at the MDT Donations page. Donations are used to support research and education, subsidize the cost of maggots for those who can not afford them, and keep our laboratory running (most of our work is supported by volunteers, but we must pay for many of our supplies and services).
Return to the Maggot Therapy Home Page
Originally created: January, 1998
Last edited: January, 2003