Guide to getting rid of mites in the bin | ReGuide

Having mites in the bin is something that we will all most likely experience. A rubbish bin offers good conditions for the brood of the small, white larva, at the same time as organic material is a mite's preferred food source.
However, it is neither impossible nor difficult to get rid of mites in the bin - nor to prevent them from becoming returning guests. Read along here and learn more about how to get rid of the mites, how they occur in general and how you can prevent them from coming back.

This is how you get rid of mites in the bin

There are several ways in which you can get rid of the white mites in the bin, but overall, it's just a matter of giving your bin a little cleaning.

Such a main cleaning primarily consists of removing all the waste from your waste container. Once the bin is empty, you can kill the mites by pouring boiling water over them. It is important that you pour the boiling water down the sides of the bin, so that you remove both fly larvae, blowfly eggs and other embedded material.

You then close the waste bin, after which you pour out the water when it has cooled down. You can advantageously repeat this a few times with either a little water and soap - or with vinegar, deer salt, tea tree oil or lemon in the water. It is both an easy and simple remedy against mites in the bin - and it is the most environmentally friendly solution. Mites are not dangerous, so do not use poison to combat mites in the bin.

When you have finished your main cleaning, it is also important that you let the bin dry completely before putting a new bag in it.

Why are there mites in my bin?

The eggs of blowflies are the ones that turn into mites, also called maggots. When houseflies are looking for a place to lay their eggs, they look for a place that offers both warmth, protection and food - and that's what makes a trash can the perfect breeding ground for flies. They usually lay the eggs on the edge of the bin, after which the hatched mites will make a good living on the contents of the bin.

In addition, a bin becomes extra warm and humid when the warmer climes begin to announce its arrival - and this, in itself, makes the bin an even more attractive place for flies and maggots. In addition, the smell from the food waste will also be enhanced, which also makes it attractive to the flies when they have to lay their eggs.

When the flies have laid their eggs, these eggs will, within a short time, hatch and turn into mites, which later turn into flies, which in turn can lay new fly eggs.

Prevent the appearance of mites in your bin

Fortunately, there are simple measures and good advice you can follow to avoid having to remove mites in the bin countless times, but make it a habit to give your bin a little head cleaning at regular intervals. Therefore, get yourself a waste bin that is easy to wash off, so that it does not become too unmanageable a task.

It's a good idea to drain your waste well before you put it in your waste bin. That way, you don't add extra moisture to it, which will make it even more attractive to the flies.

Remember to empty your bin often , especially if you have put meat or fish in it. Mites, or maggots, need, among other things, a protein source, such as meat or fish, to live. Also, make sure your trash bag is completely sealed before you throw it out, so you don't get maggots in the trash can outside either.

Avoid overfilling the bag with rubbish so that it cannot be closed completely. Better several less filled garbage bags than an outdoor garbage can that both smells and attracts flies.

To reduce moisture and heat in the bin , you can also ensure that it is not in direct sunlight. You can also counteract the smell by spraying the bin with essential oils of, for example, lavender, tea tree or mint. You can do this by mixing water with a few drops of the oil in a spray bottle, after which you can spray the outside of your bins with the mixture.

A tightly closed waste bin is also advantageous if you want to prevent mites in the waste bin. A bin that closes completely ensures that the smell does not spread - and thus that the flies are not attracted.

If your bin won't close completely , a good place to start when dealing with mites is to get a new bin. To make it as easy for yourself as possible, you might as well go for one that both closes completely, is easy to clean, and perhaps on top of that is elegant and functional in its design. For that, the Danish-designed Recollector is a really good proposition.

FAQ:

How to avoid mites in the bin?

To avoid mites getting into the bin, it is important to have a bin that closes completely and thus does not smell.

It is also important to empty the bin often, especially if it contains meat or fish. It is also a good idea to drain your food waste before you put it in the bin - and it is also a good idea to clean your bin regularly.

How to remove mites in the trash?

You remove mites in the bin by giving it a thorough cleaning. Such cleaning consists of first of all emptying the waste bin of rubbish. Then you pour boiling water along the sides of it, close the lid and let the water cool.

When the water has cooled down, you can empty the waste bin and repeat the process with advantage, possibly with a little soap, vinegar, lemon, hickory salt or tea tree oil in the water. Remember to dry the bin well before putting a bag in.