Trash bins can be a dirty, bug-filled place – but they don’t have to be! TERRO garbage guard is effective against a variety of flying & crawling insects that are commonly found inside trash cans. Here’s how it works. The compact Pod features an adhesive strip for easy & discreet attachment inside garbage cans, trash bins & dumpsters. Once inside, TERRO garbage guard releases a vapor that deeply penetrates the enclosed space to kill visible & hiding insects, as well as prevent new infestations. The specially designed Pod ensures a controlled release, allowing the product to last up to 4 months. That’s a whole summer of protection with just one TERRO garbage guard! For your convenience, TERRO garbage guard is also incredibly easy to use. Simply remove the backing from the included adhesive strip & attach the pod to the underside of your trash can lid. Then just close the lid, & let the vapor do its work! This product is designed for use in outdoor or garage trash bins & dumpsters.
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CC –
It only lasted for 2 months before we start seeing flies again. Sticker that came with the product is useless and did not hold more than couple days. I drilled couple small hole on top of the trashcan which allowed me to tie the product to the lid. That worked well. Product worked surprising well to keep flies (and maggots) away from our trashcan that’s stored outside, but that only lasted 2 months. Since it did prevent flies/maggots from developing, I would still recommend this product during summer, but plan on replacing every 2 months. This is 100 times better than dealing with maggots in your trashcan.
Kelly M –
Well, the first one I tried I used the sticker that came with it. It fell off within a day. Since I’m using this for our dog poo container, I was not going to try to retrieve it! The second time, I used duct tape (just on the back of it) and it stayed on for a few days, then fell into the dog poo. I tried once more and I have attached a pic of how I’ve gotten it to stay so far. I used duct tape on the back and a strip of duct tape across the front. I also have a moisture absorber hanging in the pail to help keep the moisture off the lid and affecting the tape. This one has stayed on for about a month so far and I’m not seeing very many flies in the pail. Normally, as soon as I open the pail, tons of flies come out. I can’t speak about it’s affect on maggots since the flies get to the poo while it’s still on the ground, but at least there aren’t a ton of flies when I open the pail anymore. The adhesive is worthless, so definitely use duct tape, but it seems to work.
Shannie –
This product works amazing! Recently moved to Texas and the bugs are something different. I would pour bleach into the container to keep the bugs away until I found this product. Immediately saw a difference after I used it. The only con I have is the little sticky tab that comes with it does not work for long term use. I think my garbage can was emptied twice before it fell off. I purchased two of them, so on the second one, I screwed it into the container. I will definitely order more!
Beaglemom –
First, it works. Second I have redone the tape to the can lid 4 times. Finally I had to gorilla glue a piece of duct tape to the lid. I tried duct tape, double sided tape, and of course the 1X1 inch piece of tape they sent. All worthless. I scrubbed the lid top to make sure it was really clean…to no avail. So, out came the gorilla glue and glued the piece of folded duct tape to the bug killer, then waited to be sure it was really dry. I think it is the plastic used in the lid that keeps it from adhering to the tab. It does work and I haven’t seen any live critters squirming and that makes me happy.
Daredevilmgm –
I love this product but you will probably need to epoxy it to your trash can to get it to stay. I used the provided tape and it fell off within a day. I used my 3M industrial two sided tape and it stuck through two trash weeks. Then disappeared with the trash and left my 3M tape stuck to the lid.
Arok5 –
This thing is amazing. I had maggots in my trash can two weeks in a row. After the first week I thoroughly cleaned and disinfected my trash bin only to have more arrive the next week. I cleaned and disinfected it again and then attached this. I did read that the double sided tape is very weak which is true. It won’t hold the item securely if the trash bin you’re using gets put on the trash arm of any trash truck or gets tossed around. I simply got a small two strips of 3m double sided tape (the one with the red backing) and it’s in secure. Hasn’t moved or loosened in 4 weeks with it being heavily knocked around when being emptied by the truck.As for it working. You can see visible dead flies in my trash can now. None fly out when I open it. And it’s remained hot and muggy where I live and ZERO maggots or alive flies. This thing is amazing. Just get the heavy duty 3m tape to secure it.
OldManRick –
I attached this device to the inside lid of one of my outdoor garbage cans with a zip tie which I ran through the small holes that surround the unit. Prior to installing this unit I was having a horrible time with maggots all over the inside of the can. I bag up the trash in the can and take out to the curb on Fridays and usually have to wear rubber gloves to keep all the maggots off my hands. Since putting this unit on two weeks ago, I haven’t seen a single live maggot. What I have seen is about 5 dead flies and 3 or 4 dead maggots laying on top of garbage in the can! This can gets the kitchen trash as well as dog “mess” from the yard. So you can imagine the amount of maggots that can build up in there in a weeks time… 1000s. I can’t say how long this device will be effective as I’ve only been using it for a couple of weeks, but when it stops being effective, I’ll come back and update this review. In the mean time, I am about to purchase a few more to make sure I get through this scorching summer we’re experiencing.**UPDATE: Just finished week 4 with this product and I’ve noticed between 10 and 20 maggots alive in the trash can. There is no way that this item will keep maggots away (or kill them) for 3 months. That said, I will continue to use this product, even if I have to change it out after only a month, because to do otherwise means that I’ll be dealing with a HUGE amount of maggots every Friday when I have to tie up the bag and set it out on the curb. I will take away a couple of stars though; one for each month short of the 3 months mentioned on the box.
Christine Nichols –
These actually work. I have one on the inside lid of my garbage can. I make sure to remove the lid when I put it out for pick up as I assume the adhesive will give way at some point. I found lots of dead flies in the bottom of the can. No “infant flies”.I also have one in a trash bag holder I use for doggie poo. For this one I attached a cord to the product and tied to the frame of the holder to prevent a loss into the bag. The adhesive did give way so I was glad to have the string, but I did try to move it after I first tried to adhere it to the holder so it may be why the adhesive didn’t work as well. I would recommend!
Nancy L. –
Used to be that a swarm would arise as soon as the garbage can lid was raised to add another bag. Now it’s quiet. Did take a about a week to take affect. We also did drill two small holes in the lid and attach this with a zip tie as we didn’t think adhesive backing would last. So working well.
nygirl –
I have struggled with maggots in my outdoor trash can, and also fruit flies in my house every summer. I first bought the Terro Garbage Guard to try on my outside trash can when the weather started to turn warm. Happy to report: Not one maggot all summer long! (Note: I did hot glue the product to the lid as I had read the reviews about how they did not stick well, fell in the can, and then got tossed out with the garbage). I then bought an indoor trash can with a lid and placed a guard on that lid using a thin strip of duct tape. Happy to report, not one single fruit fly this summer. We can finally eat and drink in peace without being attacked by those little monsters! Lasted for months. Thank you Terro!