DIY black soldier fly bucket composter - part 1
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- I don't recommend building this unit as I have released a more efficient design based on a 6 gallon (23 liter) storage box. The forum thread describing it can be found here: blacksoldierfly..., and a video of a similar unit can be found here: • experimental storage b...
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Please see the updated version of this unit at blacksoldierfly...
This is a do-it-yourself composter designed to use black soldier fly larvae to rapidly break down kitchen scraps and food waste. BSF are a harmless non-disease carrying species of soldier fly that are native to the U.S. They consume almost anything that can rot except for high cellulose items like paper, leaves, grass, etc.
I designed this unit to be easy and cheap to construct, and also to be convenient and efficient. At the time of this video some of the systems have not been tested but I feel pretty confident they will perform well. As upgrades are made I will post them on my blog on the page dedicated to this unit: blacksoldierfly...
Part 2 of this video: • DIY black soldier fly ...
BSF forum: blacksoldierfly...
You're the man for this. I am really grateful for the knowledge you passed onto me. Thank you respectfully Sir.
Just WOW! I've seen so many designs and this one is hands down the most well thought out! I look forward to checking out your latest version (mentioned in the comments below). Can't imagine it could get any better!
I've watched about 30 videos trying to find the best one and so far yours is the best ..I don't think I would use a catch box I would let them fall straight to the chickens
@MrGreenbudha I just finished publishing an updated version of this composter on my blog. You really don't need land to operate a BSF unit. I know a person that lives in an eight floor apartment in Houston and he keeps a BSF unit on his balcony. If you operate it properly there are no offensive odors and since the adult BSF only come to lay eggs and then disappear they don't bother neighbors, they're rarely even seen.
I'm about to make my first one and I got an old vacuum hose for mine. I'll keep y'all posted if it works.
TY. An elegant solution for wannabe fly wranglers. I 'll be implementing something similar for my aquaponics system. I love free fish food and sustainability.
@MachinaApotheosis It's coming along pretty well. I'm just now beginning to harvest a good number of mature larvae. I shot a few videos of the progress and I'll be uploading them soon. Thanks.
@Venominme I've had good luck with velcro sticking. Be sure not to stretch it while you apply it and clean the bucket with alcohol first. After placing the velcro take the back of a spoon and press the velcro with good pressure. The velcro and the bucket should be the same temp when you apply it. I used velcro "ultra thin" which seems more rigid. Velcro cures for 24 hrs so its best to keep it dry for a day. If you have a section that fails you can cut it out, clean it well, and fill it with new.
The water we collect from the bin is good for plant but in water ratio we need to provide it for plants....pls assist
Hi, could I use in stead of the green filter material and practise golfballs a layer of (river) gravel to create an area which fluids can collect and be drained ? Best regards, Sander Tel.
One possible problem with that approach would be that the voids in between the rocks would soon fill up with the fine particles that are a byproduct of the larvae digesting the waste. Picture pudding. Drainage is one of the more problematic issues with designing a BSF composter. You might consider joining our forum to discuss this and other techniques. I'll put a link in the description.
Thanks.
How is this design less efficient? I was going to build this one and replace my bin. Wondering the downsides.
Only difference is this one has a drainage pad and the other doesnt. If this bucket design was used without the drainage pad would it not be equally as efficient? thanks for your consideration please keep up the great work.
I simply put a pan under the bucket so they can self harvest through the breathing holes as well ;)
Do you have a brew video?blog is 404 unavailable.
Thanks. If you look at the video description you'll see that I've abandoned this design. The new composter is easier to build and is more efficient.
House flies and blow flies have very different life cycles from that of BSF. They also carry diseases if you don't maintain a closed system which is more complicated. There are established methods for rearing these other pest flies, but I'm not familiar with them. They definitely won't work in a BSF unit like this one. If you're not sure if there are BSF in your area we have a BSF locator map on our blog that might help.
A study found North American blow flies circle clockwise in a bucket composter, but in South America they go counter clock wise.So you have the pick up correctly oriented.
A recent study found when you say, " a recent study" 95% of the population believe whatever comes after.
Sorry, just joking, I like your video and am considering this for chickens.
@xpsyclonex2002 It depends on temperature mostly. In south Georgia mating stops in October and resumes in mid April. The adults emerging in April spent the winter pupating. In contrast; in warm weather BSF spend about two weeks as mature larvae and another two weeks pupating.
@xpsyclonex2002 You can keep them in a few inches of sawdust but if ambient humidity is too low they can dry out and die. If released in nature I guess they burrow into the ground or under loose debris. They need to be able to climb up and out of the material when they emerge as adults and compacted soil seems like it would be too difficult for them.
Yeah, it's best to get started as early in the season as possible.
Is this design meant for attracting local BSFs without buying larvae? I live in Vancouver Canada, will this work for our climate?
How do you prevent houseflies from going inside and laying eggs?
Can you only do black soldier fly composting in the summer months? Does the composter work outside in the winter months? I live in Utah which I think is about zone 4 and feels chilly temps and snow in the winter. Is it still possible to do this?
Would u not need some air pockets though the top of tube? Ja
@BlackSoldierFly when you release BSF larva to help re-populate the composter, where do they turn to adults? Do they burrow in the ground? Climb up it trees? etc? I ask because I am interested in creating a closed loop system to contain a system. I would allow a small amount of larva to go free within an enclosed space that way they can only go back to the compost bin to lay eggs. I just want to make sure that the enclosed space has what they need to convert to adults.
Thanks! I have a new design that I think is better though. You'll find a link in the description or just go my blog. I sell them, but they aren't hard to build if you're handy. There are detailed photos on our forum.
great easy simple. all the best from the uk
Hello im going to build this to breed feeders for my juvenile beardies, any advice?
can I feed green grasses and leaves and will BSF larva turn it into manure fast?
Good one congrats
is there a mite occuring because of humidity and spoiled vegetables ? thank you
Very good video ❤❤❤
i will be building that when i get my own land!
@BlackSoldierFly Sweet. I was worried that they needed to hang from something. I couldn't think of a way they could do that without legs. Do you have a time frame from when they burrow to when the adults emerge?
Great video thanks for uploading. I plan to farm maggots for fish food. Maybe next year because it's late in the year and it's getting cold
So nice video
why maggot goes up to the top?
Very nice video
@BlackSoldierFly do you know of anyone that is doing it in canada? ontario even?
do we have these flies every where? I live in northern Indiana.
How do the larvae get there in the first place?
Awesome video man! Im stealing that magnet tech
you are a genius!!
How many can you harvest in a season?
wow great job! So how successful has this model been for you?
Jokes welcomed.
You might also want to consider building my larger unit based on a storage tote. A link is in the description of this video.
Thanks for the answer
@BlackSoldierFly I used to live in Jesup. Small world.
i like it
i want to use that in blowing weed