Bin changes lead to maggot advice

Shrewsbury residents are to be given advice on how to deal with maggots amid fears from council bosses that they could be faced with a surge of calls blaming the controversial new fortnightly bin collections.

All members of the borough council have been e-mailed a factsheet which provides advice on understanding maggots and how to kill them.

It has been issued in a bid to stave off criticism of the new alternate weekly collection system (AWC), which is facing its biggest test this summer following its introduction in October last year.

The factsheet, which was sent to councillors by Helen Ridler, the council's education and enforcement officer, says maggots and fly eggs can be killed by using boiling water.

An e-mail accompanying the factsheet says: "With the advent of this lovely warm weather you may find that you receive calls regarding maggots.

"The attached factsheet explains exactly how maggots occur and the simple measures that can be taken to prevent them. Please remember that AWC does not cause maggots - poor kitchen or bin hygiene does."

The advice contains guidelines to help prevent people getting maggots in their waste including ensuring that the lid to their wheeled bin is kept closed, tying up any bags of rubbish tightly and wrapping all perishable items such as food waste particularly meat.

It also says householders should be careful to never leave any food, including pet food, uncovered and that they should store their wheeled bins out of direct sunlight.

The factsheet adds: "Good hygiene in the home is the best way of preventing the spread of disease and infection.

"Flies are all around and have the potential to spread disease no matter what type of refuse collection service is in operation. Maggots in a wheeled bin do not cause any health problems."