Do Garbage Cans Without Lids Attract More Flies Than Those With A Lid?

With approximately 17 million flies for each human on the planet, it's not surprising that finding a few flies in your garbage bin seems to be inevitable. But there are simple steps you can take to cut down on these persistent pests, like using a trash can with a lid and regularly cleaning and maintaining the bin.

While a couple of flies may be no big deal, fly infestations can quickly get out of hand. Flies are attracted to moist, decaying, or fermenting organic matter, which is abundant in your trash, from rotten vegetables to old beer. A single fly can lay hundreds of eggs in just a few days, leading to unexpected maggots in your home and then a bigger influx of adult flies.

While lidless trash cans can be convenient for other uses (like throwing out yardwork debris), it's worth sticking to a lidded trash can for your household trash. A lid helps contain odors, making the trash less likely to attract a swarm of flies outside your house. This is especially important for bins that sit for days in between pickups. A lid also prevents adult flies from flying into the can as easily. That said, to truly get rid of flies, you'll have to take additional steps beyond just using a trash can with a lid.

A lid is only as useful as it is secure. To guard against flies, keep lightweight lids in place by placing something heavy on top, such as a brick. If your trash can has any cracks or gaps, seal them or replace it with a new bin as soon as possible. Don't overflow the trash bin past the lid.

Tight-fitting lids have the downside of reducing ventilation in the trash bin, which can lead to more moisture, quicker decay, and stinkier trash. That's why it's also important that the trash bin is emptied frequently to prevent flies. If you live in a city or town, the trash pickup schedule is not in your control — but you can make sure that the trash goes to the curb on time each trash day.

It's also important to keep the trash can clean; this prevents leftover odors and stops flies from breeding in it. Remember to clean the inside of the lid as well. Rinse out food, drink, and cosmetics containers before throwing them away, and consider composting to decrease the amount of food waste in your outdoor trash bin. Use sturdy trash bags and tie them securely. When you take out the trash, be careful not to let any debris spill into the can itself. Regularly scrub down your trash can with a hose and soapy water or vinegar. Alternatively, you can use trash can liners and replace them each week.