{
  "id": 2544713,
  "title": "I tried this bizarre freezer hack and my trash has been maggot-free all summer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/i-tried-this-bizarre-freezer-hack-and-my-trash-has-been-maggot-free",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/home/outdoors/i-tried-this-bizarre-freezer-hack-and-my-trash-has-been-maggot-free-all-summer"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The article highlights a controversial yet effective method to keep trash bins maggot-free during summer using a freezer hack. Instead of disposing of food waste in the regular trash, which can quickly rot and become a breeding ground for flies, this method involves storing leftovers, peelings, or perishable food scraps in a sealed bag and placing it in the freezer. When collection day arrives, the frozen food block is then placed directly into the outdoor bin just before the waste collectors arrive. By keeping the waste frozen until collection, it avoids producing any odors that would attract flies, effectively stopping maggots from ever hatching.\n\nAdditional tips for pest prevention include moving trash cans to shaded areas to prevent heat-induced decomposition and odor intensification, double-bagging unfrozen waste to further suppress smells, and employing a salt solution as a natural dehydrator if an infestation occurs. The article concludes by inviting feedback on whether readers would consider implementing this freezer waste disposal method or proposing alternative solutions.",
  "summary": "Stop maggots before they hatch. Discover the freezer trick that keeps your outdoor trash cans odor- and pest-free.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}