From the Comox Valley Echo, Tuesday 6 August 2013, Ask a Pro
Question: I saw a news story about maggots in some curbside pickup greenbins. What’s going on? 
Answer: Yes, that is a bit of a yuck issue. Happily it is easily controlled. Maggots are fly larvae and have about a 7 day life cycle. They are attracted to protein sources – meat and bones primarily – and thrive in warm weather. To get rid of them, you need to prevent access to the fly treats. For your greenbin, there are several strategies. Wrap meat in paper. Or freeze it first. Or cover with leaves or soil or even greens. Wash and dry the greenbin after each pickup. Larvae hatch in about 48 hours so it’s best to put the stinkies out just the day before pickup.
You can compost meat and bones in the metal Speedibin composter also. Just make sure that they are buried several inches into the compost. Flies won’t dig through two inches of browns or soil. But do not put meat and bones in plastic or open bins or you may have worse problems than harmless but icky maggots. We have found that compost worms love meat and fish scraps and the resulting compost is luxuriously fertile!
7 comments
How fast is a compost pit at reducing and what helps to speed it up?
Well this is the first time I’ve done anything like this. I was thinking that I could shovel it out in the fall when the flies are dead.
I realize maggots are not desirable but because I’m just trying to reduce waste and they will help with that how would I attract them.