Chelle in MO Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I found a little insect-type thing squirming on my garage floor today. It was very tiny--maybe 3/4 of an inch long. It had no eyes, antennae, feet, or legs that I could see; and it was a creamy, pale yellow color w/a smooth body--no segments or ridges. It was tapered in shape, like a tadpole. Any ideas on what it was? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 A larvae of some sort? Maggot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 A larvae of some sort? Maggot? I had a feeling you were going to say that...ewww. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Sounds like a maggot to me, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 I'd say maggot... *shiver*... They are usually in groups though. There may be MORE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted September 10, 2013 Author Share Posted September 10, 2013 I haven't had the nerve to look all day! Eeekkk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Just don't be tempted to google maggot images. I am serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted September 10, 2013 Author Share Posted September 10, 2013 Just don't be tempted to google maggot images. I am serious. Believe me, I won't! I don't need those pictures in my mind! I told dh about our little visitor and he said to leave the trash can outside after the trash gets picked up tomorrow and he'll see if the problem is coming from there. I feel sorry for the trash collectors. Blech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violamama Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 I would look up. If you see one on the floor, they did not crawl there. Sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 I'm wondering if this is really a maggot now I've re-read your post. You said it was about 3/4 inch long--I missed that first time around. Maggots I've seen are usually less than 1/2 inch long and there is never just one. Maybe it's some other kind of larva but I have no idea what kind it might be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2bee Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Sounds like a maggot of some sort... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted September 10, 2013 Author Share Posted September 10, 2013 I would look up. If you see one on the floor, they did not crawl there. Sorry! Can you please come do it for me??? :scared: I'm wondering if this is really a maggot now I've re-read your post. You said it was about 3/4 inch long--I missed that first time around. Maggots I've seen are usually less than 1/2 inch long and there is never just one. Maybe it's some other kind of larva but I have no idea what kind it might be. I just got out a ruler...it was probably closer to half an inch, but not shorter than that. I didn't look around yesterday for any buddies it might've been with. There at least weren't any real close by. Sounds like a maggot of some sort... I think it's just about unanimous now! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 oh yuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Do you have root veggies stored in there? The length and tapering make me think of carrot rust flies. The maggots tunnel into carrots, celery etc. They ar creamy white, smooth and tapered So yes a maggot but may not be from your garbage can. Then again it could be just your run of the mill maggot :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted September 10, 2013 Author Share Posted September 10, 2013 oh yuck. My thoughts exactly! Do you have root veggies stored in there? The length and tapering make me think of carrot rust flies. The maggots tunnel into carrots, celery etc. They ar creamy white, smooth and tapered So yes a maggot but may not be from your garbage can. Then again it could be just your run of the mill maggot :p No, I don't. I'm guessing run-of-the-mill, too, which doesn't make me feel any better than if it was a carrot rust fly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 Ds11 checked the can for squirmy things today and confirmed our suspicions. Dh cleaned out the can tonight. There was no evidence of any others outside the can. Now how do I keep them from coming back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Do your best to ensure all your trash is in sealed up bags before they go into the bin. No unbagged trash goes in there. That's what has worked best for us. We've only had maggots once in the last 8 years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 Do your best to ensure all your trash is in sealed up bags before they go into the bin. No unbagged trash goes in there. That's what has worked best for us. We've only had maggots once in the last 8 years or so. I do that...nothing organic goes in w/out a bag. The kids know it, too. I even freeze meat scraps until the day before pick up. :confused1: Now that I think of it, I do use plastic grocery bags in a little garage trash can. Maybe the holes that are sometimes in the bottoms of those are what's causing the trouble. The trash from inside the house is tied up in drawstring bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StartingOver Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 A silver fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I wait till the night before trash pick up to put in any food scraps if I can help it. In the FL heat, a chicken bone or leftover pizza can be maggots before trash day if we don't. Yuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liberty Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I wonder if spraying ammonia on the garbage would also work? (or does that only keep out raccoons?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 A silver fish? I don't think so...I'm pretty sure I know what those look like. But I'm not going to Google to be sure! ;) I wait till the night before trash pick up to put in any food scraps if I can help it. In the FL heat, a chicken bone or leftover pizza can be maggots before trash day if we don't. Yuck. That's probably a good idea. Thanks. I wonder if spraying ammonia on the garbage would also work? (or does that only keep out raccoons?) I haven't heard of that, but maybe I should try it--I don't want any raccoons in there either! :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I do that...nothing organic goes in w/out a bag. The kids know it, too. I even freeze meat scraps until the day before pick up. :confused1: Now that I think of it, I do use plastic grocery bags in a little garage trash can. Maybe the holes that are sometimes in the bottoms of those are what's causing the trouble. The trash from inside the house is tied up in drawstring bags. This is pretty much what we do too--even freezing the meat scraps. Your maggots might have been just a random thing. You know, one bag got a tiny tear in it and the flies were particularly busy that day and there was a small space between the lid and the bin or a small hole in the bottom of the bin . . . I wouldn't sweat it. The last time we had maggots in our bin we just cleaned it out well and haven't had them again yet. And we haven't changed how we deal with the trash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 This is pretty much what we do too--even freezing the meat scraps. Your maggots might have been just a random thing. You know, one bag got a tiny tear in it and the flies were particularly busy that day and there was a small space between the lid and the bin or a small hole in the bottom of the bin . . . I wouldn't sweat it. The last time we had maggots in our bin we just cleaned it out well and haven't had them again yet. And we haven't changed how we deal with the trash. Good plan! We've had unseasonably hot weather, so I'll just deal w/it and it'll be over soon. This is going to be me now: :chillpill: :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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