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Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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Posted by
leira 6 MA (
My Page) on
Thu, Sep 6, 12 at 20:42
| My compost bin is absolutely teeming with black soldier fly larvae...and the volume has been really seriously reduced. Wow! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| Congratulations - I think!? A little too early in the morning for that visual, at least for me. :-D |
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| Nice.. that's like a halloween movie scene.. |
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| Some think fly larva in compost piles is acceptable. Your local Public Haelth people will not since ot is knwon that flies pof many species are carriers of numerous diseases and they consider maggots in a compost pile a health hazard. |
Here is a link that might be useful: fly larva in compost
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| Here's a previous thread with lots of info about Black Soldier Flies. They are not a pest fly. |
Here is a link that might be useful: All about Black Soldier Fly
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| Help please! I just discovered I have hundreds of these things in my small compost bin. I live in a townhouse with only a small fenced patio area in the back, and I more or less winged a small compost bin (a round 2'x2' black storage bin). Right now it's covered with a plastic white garbage back, and an old white sheet. I want to prevent these things growing into adult flies and somehow escaping because of the small area I have. How do I ensure that they die? I'm so grossed out that I can't even bear to lift the cover off!!! |
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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Get a dessicant, something like Blood Meal, and sprinkle it on those maggots and then take appropriate steps to prevent further hatches. These maggots are present mostly because a food source, your compost, is available and the moisture level is close to right which is too wet for proper composting.
Maggots, contrary to what many people think, are not a good addition to the composting process. |
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| I feel to urge to touch them....weird.... |
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| As you can see, some people love them and some hate them. The flies are not a problem as they live a few days, breed and lay eggs then die. They do not even eat. I have had thousands of the larva and have never seen an adult fly other than at the compost bin. I think they are a part of the compost process and enjoy them being there, others disagree. ps...They are great fish food or bait, also good chicken feed. Good luck. |
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| How easy is it to tell whether you have House Fly Larva or Black Soldier Fly Larva? The ones I have seen are so close to look alikes that unless yo have both together yuou cannot really tell which you have. |
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| Soldier fly larva is distinctly segmented with a tough skin. I have many in my worm bin kept in the garage. They break down food scraps quickly and I enjoy watching the adults fly around. I know it means my bin is on the wet side but I have plenty of worms that are thriving. I see many BSF adults but not house flies in my garage. |
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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| Size - Housefly larvae reach a length of approx. 12mm and BSF larvae grow to 19mm (3/4 inches) or more. BSF larvae are much thicker than housefly larvae. Appearance - Housefly larvae are smooth and BSF larvae have distinct ridges. Development - If you're regularly observing the waste material and larvae you might get clues there. Housefly larvae mature in as little as 4 days under ideal conditions and BSF take a few weeks. Housefly eggs hatch in about a day and BSF eggs require 4. |
RE: Black Soldier Fly Larvae in compost bin
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- Posted by LKZZ 7b (My Page) on
Mon, May 13, 13 at 11:20
| The larvae develop in animal waste, decaying fruits and vegetables, compost and mulch, and other plant matter. They feed, in part, on other insect larvae. Not a bad thing. |
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