How can I stop my refuse bin from smelling?

By following these simple guidelines, you can prevent your bin from becoming smelly during spells of warmer weather:

• Secure bin bags which contain food waste before putting them into your bin
• Uncooked vegetable and fruit waste can be composted at home
• Store your bin out of direct sunlight
• Keep the lid of your bin firmly closed to prevent animals and flies from getting in
• Store your bin away from open windows and doors.

How can I stop pests like maggots and rats from getting into my refuse?

Maggots only exist if flies have been able to access your waste. The following tips should stop them from getting in:

• Tie up any rubbish bags tightly
• Wrap all perishables, such as food waste
• Ensure that the lid of the wheeled bin is kept closed
• Make sure that you never leave any food, including pet food, uncovered inside the house. Flies can lay eggs on food before it goes in the binStore your bin out of direct sunlight as the sun will warm up the bin, increasing the smell and attracting flies.

If you do get maggots in your wheeled bin, most of them will be removed when your bin is emptied. However, maggots and fly eggs can be killed using boiling water, so it does help to wash your bin out after it has been emptied. Using a cleaning product with a fragrance will help to keep flies away from your bin.

There are also companies in the York area who offer bin cleaning services. The council does not offer this service.

Cats and rats

Care and good bin keeping will prevent problems with vermin such as cats and rats. Keeping the lid of your bins closed and cleaning out plastic bottles and cans for recycling will minimise the smells that attract pests and flies.