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

Ragtimers Lunch And Show Crestwood Village 6

WHITING – The Women’s Club of Deerfield Hall is again presenting the Ragtimers on April 22 at the clubhouse Deerfield Hall 6 Congasia Road, Whiting.

Lunch is from 12 to 1 p.m.; Show from 1 to 2 p.m. Cost is $17. Sandwich of your choice: roast beef, ham & cheese, turkey or Italian; tossed salad; dessert and coffee or tea. Sandwich choice to be made when tickets are purchased. Reservations for tables of eight or more taken. Tickets on sale now call Rosie at 732-503-3043 or pick up at Deerfield Hall on Monday between 10 and 11 a.m.

2023 Power In e Pines Air Force Base Open House

LAKEHURT – The 2023 Power in the Pines Air & Space Open House will be hosted at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst from May 20 to 21. This event is free and open to the public. Check back for more details.

The USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration will headline the event along with other performers.

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 gath- ered 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.