My sister has always had a habit of bringing home unusual things she finds at work. Most of the time, it’s something harmless—a misplaced trinket, an odd piece of packaging, or a gadget nobody can identify.

The result: One forgotten piece of meat or overripe fruit can lead to hundreds of maggots within days.

How to Prevent Maggots (Before They Appear)
1. Take out the trash frequently. Don’t let garbage sit for more than 2-3 days, especially in warm weather.

2. Bag your food waste. Double-bag meat, fish, and dairy scraps. Tie bags tightly.

3. Freeze smelly scraps. Keep a bag of meat, fish, and bones in your freezer until trash day.

4. Rinse food containers. Cans, jars, and takeout containers should be rinsed before tossing.