Jack....you're crazy but it works. Just skimmed through this thread and it only make me want some of those little guys hanging around my deal. Cool thread.
-
ICMag with help from Phlizon, Landrace Warden and The Vault is running a NEW contest for Christmas! You can check it here. Prizes are: full spectrum led light, seeds & forum premium access. Come join in!
I went to considerable lengths to eliminate them. In November or early December I spread two partially composted piles loaded with BSF onto my garden beds. The birds were fat and lazy this winter.
I've got two piles going again right now, each about one cubic yard, and none yet. About to start a third. I'm monitoring the moisture levels carefully. It's not that I'm opposed to them, only that the population got so out of control last season. Some days there would be a black cloud in my backyard from all the BSF hovering and zooming around. And the piles tended to become a soggy mess.
I've got two piles going again right now, each about one cubic yard, and none yet. About to start a third. I'm monitoring the moisture levels carefully. It's not that I'm opposed to them, only that the population got so out of control last season. Some days there would be a black cloud in my backyard from all the BSF hovering and zooming around. And the piles tended to become a soggy mess.
Wow!
J
JackTheGrower
Well this is somewhat on the anaerobic side of composting. The BSF will keep the oxygen on the down-low as they control the medium. There is much more to learn about these guys!
I will be testing some of this "compost" this year and I figure I will make a Tea from it to water with at first.
It just shows us that Organic Soil is way more than the "Two Scoops" Style of "Organic Growing."
Oh and Capt.Cheeze1 did you see the Youtube video ? I should make a better one with some non-copyright music..
It looks like the weather has gone warm finally here so it's all good and green now.. I expect these to turn into flies and venture out! I'm glad to help them through a cold winter!
I will be testing some of this "compost" this year and I figure I will make a Tea from it to water with at first.
It just shows us that Organic Soil is way more than the "Two Scoops" Style of "Organic Growing."
Oh and Capt.Cheeze1 did you see the Youtube video ? I should make a better one with some non-copyright music..
It looks like the weather has gone warm finally here so it's all good and green now.. I expect these to turn into flies and venture out! I'm glad to help them through a cold winter!
One thing is for sure: should I ever have the opportunity, I'd get a waste management system for my house that uses BSF larva, becauuse they will eat anything, really fast. I'd like to learn more about adding the leachate to a worm bin to enrich castings. I suspect that my piles are a little too attractive to them.
J
JackTheGrower
I have several 2L soda bottles of last years brew.. If mixed with a kelp and coffee seep it seemed to feed very well.
I couldn't say what all I added to that brew.. It was a Stoners mix.
J
JackTheGrower
Today I turned the material the Black Soldier Flies made home last year and there look to be some that are still moving around indeed.
So I will leave it at one gentle turn of part of the bed.
The question is will oxygen cause the remaining wiggling larvae to turn into adults?
I wonder just how many made it. I had several Dozen crawl out when I left the lid off and it rained a little so they made it all the winter and hopefully transformed wherever they went to hide. I will be more careful next time.
It looks like I must dry this material out as it is wet as muck and just as smelly.
What I wonder is should I make a worm bin? I wonder what they would make of it..
I haven't done a worm bin project yet and what is the point of studying Organics if I don't try new things.
Well here are two shots of the state of the material that will be plant food soon one way or the other.
Anaerobic decomposing is what the BSF manage as their home material. They were able to keep their "Home" warm when the temperatures drop because anaerobic decay can heat up rapidly with the introduction of oxygen. Aerobic life thrives with oxygen I do believe and an anaerobic pile can heat up quickly when oxygen is introduced as the aerobic life bursts into action. Very clever "heating system" for the BSF indeed. I was less than respectful by removing from the tumbler but I know now to make a system that is just for them.
So I have more I can post about in time but we see that our BSF "composting" spans the seasons.
You gotta love compost!
This stuff should be an excellent additive to any soil mix once dry.
Has anyone done further processing of their BSF piles with Earthworms?
So I will leave it at one gentle turn of part of the bed.
The question is will oxygen cause the remaining wiggling larvae to turn into adults?
I wonder just how many made it. I had several Dozen crawl out when I left the lid off and it rained a little so they made it all the winter and hopefully transformed wherever they went to hide. I will be more careful next time.
It looks like I must dry this material out as it is wet as muck and just as smelly.
What I wonder is should I make a worm bin? I wonder what they would make of it..
I haven't done a worm bin project yet and what is the point of studying Organics if I don't try new things.
Well here are two shots of the state of the material that will be plant food soon one way or the other.
Anaerobic decomposing is what the BSF manage as their home material. They were able to keep their "Home" warm when the temperatures drop because anaerobic decay can heat up rapidly with the introduction of oxygen. Aerobic life thrives with oxygen I do believe and an anaerobic pile can heat up quickly when oxygen is introduced as the aerobic life bursts into action. Very clever "heating system" for the BSF indeed. I was less than respectful by removing from the tumbler but I know now to make a system that is just for them.
So I have more I can post about in time but we see that our BSF "composting" spans the seasons.
You gotta love compost!
This stuff should be an excellent additive to any soil mix once dry.
Has anyone done further processing of their BSF piles with Earthworms?
J
JackTheGrower
I just spoke with Paul of Cosmo's Red Worms and he said his product is even better than 14 years ago!
I'll order some worms.
We shall see how they do.. I could dry and grind this batch up for a soil mix but lets see what worms do.
I'll order some worms.
We shall see how they do.. I could dry and grind this batch up for a soil mix but lets see what worms do.
master shake
Active member
Hey Jack, tis the season!
The adults have been buzzing around the tumbler the last few weeks and finally, literally over night, babies everywhere...especially the banana peels, I'll post up some pics when they really get going!
The adults have been buzzing around the tumbler the last few weeks and finally, literally over night, babies everywhere...especially the banana peels, I'll post up some pics when they really get going!
J
JackTheGrower
I know I bittered the soup with blended bananas' peal and all for these guys once. 5 Gal size in a big bin 3x3 ft bag.. Sent them crawling.. So my advice is keep banana in check for them.
master shake
Active member
lol ok, only a couple per day, along with a bunch of other goodies! Today is rainy and they move so damn slow on days like this...well pretty much any day that it's less that 90degrees in that tumbler they are slugs! Funny creatures
J
JackTheGrower
The Jasmine is blooming here and that signal Spring for the area. There are no adults around yet that I see.
I should score a separate tub soon as I bet they will come.
I should score a separate tub soon as I bet they will come.
J
JackTheGrower
I am turning the muck to dry it and there are still grubs going to town on the decay. It's amazing to see these guys manage such a long life of the whole winter and now into the spring!
I'm debating a delay in introducing worms to this muck. Here is what I am thinking. I could separate the material and place new coffee and materials in one end and maybe the grubs will will migrate or I can just wait and leave them alone.
There isn't any hurry for the compost so this is all about learning something new.
Anyone else working with last year's muck and an over wintered population?
I'm debating a delay in introducing worms to this muck. Here is what I am thinking. I could separate the material and place new coffee and materials in one end and maybe the grubs will will migrate or I can just wait and leave them alone.
There isn't any hurry for the compost so this is all about learning something new.
Anyone else working with last year's muck and an over wintered population?
J
JackTheGrower
Update 7-18-2010
Update 7-18-2010
I have been feeding the returning BSF in a "Tough Boy" tub. The Tub was the place I put the "BSF" of last year, to over winter, and so far they are back in force.
So here is my tub. A ordinary heavy duty tub works fine if you are considering working with the BSF.
This is a second season effort. This is what they over-wintered in and the materials they processed last year being scavenged and consumed once again with a little good new food thrown in.
Yes they like Orange and Lemon. Anything that is nitrogenous. I'm guessing they can't taste things like we do.. It would be helpful for them.
Also. I had White Flies in my main box. Well a stray BSF female made it to the box. She was a wild girl and loved the metal halide light but she left me some grub friends in the soil and they made quick work of the White Fly in the soil. So combine the Yellow Sticky Traps to snag flying adults and the BSF grubs on seek and consume missions and I didn't have to use any chemicals!
BSF isn't a quick way to "compost" things and it qualifies as anaerobic composting with friends in my book but it is another organic tool for us.
Another of natures wonders if I may be so bold! The BSF is a wonder for me. One I am happy to learn more about.
Here are the rewards for my box BSFers
They do love cantaloupe..
Update 7-18-2010
I have been feeding the returning BSF in a "Tough Boy" tub. The Tub was the place I put the "BSF" of last year, to over winter, and so far they are back in force.
So here is my tub. A ordinary heavy duty tub works fine if you are considering working with the BSF.
This is a second season effort. This is what they over-wintered in and the materials they processed last year being scavenged and consumed once again with a little good new food thrown in.
Yes they like Orange and Lemon. Anything that is nitrogenous. I'm guessing they can't taste things like we do.. It would be helpful for them.
Also. I had White Flies in my main box. Well a stray BSF female made it to the box. She was a wild girl and loved the metal halide light but she left me some grub friends in the soil and they made quick work of the White Fly in the soil. So combine the Yellow Sticky Traps to snag flying adults and the BSF grubs on seek and consume missions and I didn't have to use any chemicals!
BSF isn't a quick way to "compost" things and it qualifies as anaerobic composting with friends in my book but it is another organic tool for us.
Another of natures wonders if I may be so bold! The BSF is a wonder for me. One I am happy to learn more about.
Here are the rewards for my box BSFers
They do love cantaloupe..
J
JackTheGrower
I wanted to update since I utilized the BSF grubs in the main box this year that they might eat White Fly larvae.
I had some success with that but I also have adults hanging out in the box. They like it in there as well as the Lady Bugs.
I had some success with that but I also have adults hanging out in the box. They like it in there as well as the Lady Bugs.
J
JackTheGrower
Yep!
They eat and they play. They seem to have a social hierarchy and they fight for dominance.
They compete for food too but when I see them locked in a wrestling match I figure that is a social hierarchy happening like males fighting for dominance.
I can't tell the boys from the girls so I am just speculating.
What are you feeding there?
Lots of peaches and Starbucks coffee here.
They eat and they play. They seem to have a social hierarchy and they fight for dominance.
They compete for food too but when I see them locked in a wrestling match I figure that is a social hierarchy happening like males fighting for dominance.
I can't tell the boys from the girls so I am just speculating.
What are you feeding there?
Lots of peaches and Starbucks coffee here.
Just made a large BSF bin. I have them in the worm bin and they are coexisting fine but have to stay on top of feeding them they sure can eat.
What to check off if building a bin.
Drainage: Holes in base so water gets out but larva don't. Lots of holes. Then add a layer of drainage material (scoria/rocks). On top of this a mesh layer is good so you can easily seperate the biomass above the drainage if need be for maintenance.
Ventilation: Very important. A lot of slits around the top for adults to access the bin for laying, a vent shaft built into the lid and aimed so prevailing winds blow into it. I used a 4 inch elbow with shade cloth mesh over it (got to keep out rats and lizards).
Harvesting: A gutter with the high side cut off so it's even. A few cuts in the bin so this slides into place at a ~40 degree angle. You might need to do some trig to get your angle etc how you want it. The gutter pokes out a bit outside the bin and this allows me to slip a harvesting container over it (correct cuts in side of harvesting container). This is a nice wide highway with high sides for larva to crawl out of bin easily.
Things you didn't think of: BSF can climb vertically in dew as water provides surface tension. Put a velcro strip around the top but below your entry slits so the lil suckers don't escape via anything but your harvesting chute. Easy maintenance: Don't glue everything together if you have to take it apart. The pieces slot together, and when maintenance comes just dump the bulk into another container, upend the biomass for your worm bin, hose out the mesh/drainage rocks and replace.
Hope some of this makes sense, a lot of designs are overly complicated, you must take aeration drainage and harvesting into account. you must allow adult flies in, larva out, while simultaneously keeping out predators and trapping other flies in the bin. This design meets all requirements, and it's quite big if you plan on feeding animals.
As for keeping them fed, I have a household of 4 organic eaters give me a bucket of scraps several times a week. These guys need a lot of rubbish.
I've seen hog shit trials - successful. Don't be shy to feed these guys shit if you feel so inclined. Even dog and cat shit gets processed. Yes it's gross, yes, it works.
ps: the design is 2/3 of a plastic barrel, with holes and slits cut in it, a lid on top with an elbow in it, and a gutter slid through the side for a ramp. EASY.
What to check off if building a bin.
Drainage: Holes in base so water gets out but larva don't. Lots of holes. Then add a layer of drainage material (scoria/rocks). On top of this a mesh layer is good so you can easily seperate the biomass above the drainage if need be for maintenance.
Ventilation: Very important. A lot of slits around the top for adults to access the bin for laying, a vent shaft built into the lid and aimed so prevailing winds blow into it. I used a 4 inch elbow with shade cloth mesh over it (got to keep out rats and lizards).
Harvesting: A gutter with the high side cut off so it's even. A few cuts in the bin so this slides into place at a ~40 degree angle. You might need to do some trig to get your angle etc how you want it. The gutter pokes out a bit outside the bin and this allows me to slip a harvesting container over it (correct cuts in side of harvesting container). This is a nice wide highway with high sides for larva to crawl out of bin easily.
Things you didn't think of: BSF can climb vertically in dew as water provides surface tension. Put a velcro strip around the top but below your entry slits so the lil suckers don't escape via anything but your harvesting chute. Easy maintenance: Don't glue everything together if you have to take it apart. The pieces slot together, and when maintenance comes just dump the bulk into another container, upend the biomass for your worm bin, hose out the mesh/drainage rocks and replace.
Hope some of this makes sense, a lot of designs are overly complicated, you must take aeration drainage and harvesting into account. you must allow adult flies in, larva out, while simultaneously keeping out predators and trapping other flies in the bin. This design meets all requirements, and it's quite big if you plan on feeding animals.
As for keeping them fed, I have a household of 4 organic eaters give me a bucket of scraps several times a week. These guys need a lot of rubbish.
I've seen hog shit trials - successful. Don't be shy to feed these guys shit if you feel so inclined. Even dog and cat shit gets processed. Yes it's gross, yes, it works.
ps: the design is 2/3 of a plastic barrel, with holes and slits cut in it, a lid on top with an elbow in it, and a gutter slid through the side for a ramp. EASY.
