Maggot Control

Maggots are something most people don't like to see in and around their home. Generally white and resembling a worm or caterpillar, most maggots have a tendency to "gross out" even the toughest of men. In most cases you will see hundreds if not thousands at one location and the way they move makes it appear as though 10 times as many are actually present. If you have seen them in your garbage or out in the yard, you know the feeling. Well, this article will help shed some light on this misunderstood insect and then offer various options on how to treat local infestations.

Maggots are almost always the young of some type of insect. Most commonly the young of some specie of fly, maggots could be young beetles, moths or many other local and common insects. Virtually all insects hatch out young which will start its life as a type of worm-like creature. Fly larva – or maggots as they are more commonly known – will almost always be white. They might have a tan, brown or black head but most people just see white. This is due to the sheer numbers that most people will happen upon when they first find any in or around the home. Since many insects will start out in this form, there is no common size nor location where they may be found. Maggots are generally associated with either garbage or a dead animal. However, they can readily feed on almost anything organic. This list includes but is not limited to carpeting, wallpaper, pet food, bird seed, pets, couches, clothing, furniture, pet hair, people hair, live animals, plants, fruit, vegetables, cooked meat or food, compost piles and just about anywhere in the home or immediately adjacent to it. Though maggots serve to "recycle" most any type of garbage or other decaying matter, most people don't want them in and/or around the house!

If you have a maggot infestation and need to do treat, read our MAGGOT CONTROL article which highlights everything you'll need to know about this pest and how to control them in and around the home.