Breeding Black Soldier Flies...

[BeardedDrake]

OK guys… I did some research and put together a composter for breeding these guys… I am looking forward to harvesting these grubs for my dragons. THIS IS NOT A THIS IS HOW IT’S DONE POST. It’s more of a let’s get together and put all the information in one place kind of thing.

From what I understand most people use 5 gallon buckets for their composters and it seems to work well. I went with a larger trash can for my colony. Making one of these things is not at all that difficult or expensive… it’s even less expensive if you don’t plan on collecting the tea from the composting.

Here are some pictures of what I did.
The Composter...

The inside... Sorry I didn't take a lot of pics while making this.
Basically I followed the steps from this guy on the self harvest and containing part. http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bsf-bucket-composter-version-2-1/

http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bsf-bucket-composter-version-2-1/

The top is kind of the same but I added more egg laying space and they are using it.

Already egg clusters on day two.

For the drainage I simply drilled hundreds of small holes in the bottom of the can and used small but heavy gravel as the filter (I know you lose some this way but there are hundreds of them so who cares). Next I put a layer of shavings over the gravel to help with moisture control at the beginning.

Shavings under the greens.

Next since i already had them around my garden compost I just added a mixture of veggies that I feed my dragons plus some cabbage and the bin started to take off.

Here it is three weeks later to the day and I have hundreds of grubs.

Now I would love for the people who have been doing this for awhile to chime in and give advice for all of us who are just starting or have been wanting too.

One huge question that needs answering is... Is it safe to feed your dragons home grown BSFL? I can't really find anything suggesting that it is not safe to feed them but are there any methods that you are using to make sure that these guys don't hurt your herps?

 

[foolsgold]

From what I've researched they purge their stomach and shed their skin as they climb out of the compost. I don't think the companies that sell them do anything other then grow them on high calcium foods. Don't quote me, I'm just taking a guess here. I wouldn't have a problem feeding from them as I also plan on doing it too once we get out of he city.

 

[tgolden]

How bad its the smell?

 

[BeardedDrake]

It's not bad at all... But mine is in the back yard... They are here naturally so I don't need to contain them. I haven't noticed a smell from it that would make me not be ok with it being in the sun room. That being said there are enough worms in there to eat everything pretty fast so it doesn't really have time to stink.

 

[BeardedDrake]

Let me add that the nasty stuff in the photo is from my other insects cages... that's why it looks nasty. I let the BSFL finish off their scraps.

 

[tgolden]

I've been thinking about building one. Buying worms is getting expensive. I was wondering about how to control the calcium?

 

[ashleyelsha]

how do you keep other bugs from infesting your compost?

also, did you start by using some phoenix worms or reptiworms? Do you just scoop some out to feed every day? Can you add any leftover food scraps to it?

 

[foolsgold]

Here are two links that give a lot of information on raising your own BSF....
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/black-soldier-fly-white-magic/#5
http://www.microponics.net.au/?p=175

They are really cool imo.

 

[tgolden]

Thanks ford the links, lots of good info!

 

[BeardedDrake]

I just made the compost and waited for the flies to come... I didn't worry about other insects because over time the BSFL tend to put off a smell that lets other flies know that its already controlled by them. After a month I don't really have any other flies in it but I did at first.

As far as calcium control... I couldn't really find a good source to let me know what to feed the worms so I just feed them the high calcium vegies that I feed my dragons.

I have been feeding...
Mustard greens
Collard Greens
Kale
Cactus Pads
and then just for some meat...
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
Cabbage
Then I throw in...
The potatoes that my other feeders get their moisture from and the left over greens that my dragons don't eat.

I try not to add anything else since this is still an experiment for me.

On a side note the 5 gallon bucket seems to be the way to go for this since the depth and length of the harvest tube going into the trash can seems to be causing a problem for me at the moment. I think that once my compost gets to be a bit deeper it will be easier for them to crawl out with no problem.

Hope this helped.

 

[foolsgold]

could you put a lower hole for the outlet tube to come out until you get more compost in there? Just an idea. When the compost gets high enough that you would need the upper hole again you could just put a plug/cap in the lower hole. Then when you empty out the compost and start over you will still be able to use the lower hole.

 

[BeardedDrake]

I hadn't thought about that... I think that would work nicely!

Thank you Gold.

 

[foolsgold]

I get a good idea every once in a while... count yourself lucky that I used my one good idea for the month on you :lol: :lol:

 

[ynevar]

I couldn't do that here... The bears would tear that up if I had it outside... And it would be too cold most of the year. Interesting though!!