AroUnD the JerSeY Shore Maggots – Another Of Nature’s Unsung Heroes

Renee A. Thomaier

Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

If you’ve ever seen maggots writhing through decomposing animals or rotting food, it is nothing short of repulsive. Maggots are the insect version of cleaning up. That’s not to say some maggots will not destroy crops. Currently being treated, birds in the Galapagos are bothered by a parasitic fly affecting living birds.

When flies locate appropriate food sources, which can be anything from food, to rotting flesh, even poop, they will begin laying eggs. This article may surprise you when you learn, aside from the obvious cleaning up they do, some things you might never imagine.

Saving lives - Maggots have a voracious appetite and have been effectively helping wounds heal, even inhibiting infection. Soldiers who were injured in battle would heal faster when maggot therapy was used. Maggots who were grown in completely sterile conditions were applied to wounds.

Crime solvers – Forensic entomologists have used the lifecycle of maggots in assessing a person’s time of death.

FDA-Approved Debridement therapy –Medical maggots feed only on rotting flesh and can clear out the bacteria-infested tissue of a wound, which curbs inflammation, and allows healthy tissue to thrive, and the wound to close. Children with bone infections were successfully treated with maggot therapy. With diabetic patients and the rise of antibiotic resistance, non-healing wounds are treated with maggot therapy.

Composting – During the summer, trash that has been out too long, lifting the lid, you would likely see maggots everywhere devouring food. In fact, they are useful in creating nutrient-laden, rich compost. The black soldier flies consume organic animal waste and organic food so quickly, that the smelly bacteria that would otherwise be present in your compost, is lessened.

Overfishing – The protein in most feed for commercial pork, chickens, and fish farms comes from ocean fisheries, taking food from other marine life. Farming maggots consuming food waste – harvested, crushed, dried and turned into animal feed. This benefits marine life, limits food waste in landfills and decreases water pollution and methane emissions.

The information for this article was gathered through multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732-244-2768.

It is illegal to possess or relocate wildlife for any reason without the proper state and/or federal permits. Violating New Jersey laws protecting wildlife, which includes harm inflicted upon any animal, are punishable by law.

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Postponed To April 1

By Bob Vosseller

SEASIDE

HEIGHTS

– More than a wee bit of bad weather in the forecast caused the postponement of the March 11 Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade to next month.

This is not a prank; the parade has been rescheduled for April Fool’s Day - Saturday, April 1.

Traditionally, the parade is held on the second Saturday of March allowing for the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade (which began before Ocean County’s parade) to kick off the holiday season. The event was plagued by bad weather last year as well and pushed back to April. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the parade from taking place in 2021.

It had taken place on March 7, 2020 and a few days later the state and much of the country was in lockdown.

Emmanuel Community Church Presents: “Pete”

BAYVILLE – in

331

RSVP required by March 26. Contact the church office 732-269-5690 to make reservations. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free Grief Share Meetings

BAYVLLE – Free Grief Share Meetings are every Tuesday at 7 p.m. All materials and workbooks are free. They offer support, encouragement and hope to those who have suffered a loss. Meetings held at Emmanuel Community Church 331 Wheaton Avenue, Bayville.