SWELTERINGLY hot weather has brought complaints from East Hampshire householders about maggots in their refuse bins.
Residents expressed deep concern over the problem last year when the new alternate weekly collection system of refuse and recyclables was introduced in East Hampshire.
They pointed out that the life cycle of the blow fly, whose eggs hatch into maggots, was 10 days and their bins were to be emptied only every 14 days.
Last summer East Hampshire District Council received several complaints about maggots in bins and a Headley Down pensioner called for a complete review of the system.
Wendela Clarke of Fairview Road suggested that refuse should be collected weekly in the hotter summer months.
This week the council said that its customer services team had been closely monitoring reports of maggots, flies and smells from waste bins and admitted: "Since the beginning of this month we have received some reports of maggots."
Sarah Incher, EHDC's waste reduction officer issued advice to householders to prevent problems with flies and maggots. But she warned that those who continued to leave their bin lids open would no longer have them emptied.
She said meat and other food scraps should be wrapped twice before being binned. Tins should be washed out and green bins should be kept in the shade if possible, with the bin lid firmly closed.
"If maggots are found, spray inside the bin with a long lasting insecticide or use tape fly strip, Rentokil slow release citronella cassette or Lakeland Plastics fly deterrent capsules," she said.
Disposable nappies, said Ms Incher, should be wrapped tightly in nappy sacks or carrier bags before putting them in the bin. Another option was to try real or alternative nappies.
She also asked residents to help reduce accidents and injury and prevent the contamination of recyclables by following 'bin etiquette.'
This includes keeping bin lids closed, not stacking them with too many heavy materials, making sure bin contents were loose enough to be emptied out and not putting rubble, soil, oil or paint in any bins.
Ms Incher warned that refuse crews would be putting stickers on bins which were a health and safety hazard or contained contaminating material: "Residents who continue to leave their bin lids open will be advised that their bins can no longer be emptied," she said.