Comments on: Vermiman’s DIY BSFL BIN http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:15:28 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Paul Olivier http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-2/#comment-22927 Paul Olivier Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:15:28 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22927 Do not try to make a homemade bin like the round bin that I am marketing. Work with a square or rectangle, and have at least one side come out at a 45 degree angle. The larvae will crawl up this ramp when they reach maturity. Do not try to make a homemade bin like the round bin that I am marketing.
Work with a square or rectangle, and have at least one side come out at a 45 degree angle. The larvae will crawl up this ramp when they reach maturity.

]]> By: Mark in Santa Barbara http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-1/#comment-22921 Mark in Santa Barbara Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:07:42 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22921 I've got to make my own bin, at least for the short term, as my wife has just about had it with the worms and bees. How to increase crawl-off efficiency in a homemade bin? How to keep 'em working over the winter (not just working, but reproducing)? I've read that even with supplemental heat the bugs somehow know it's not breeding time. I haven't found much info on the web, I guess it's a pretty new concept, and thus fun to be involved with. - Mark in Santa Barbara I’ve got to make my own bin, at least for the short term, as my wife has just about had it with the worms and bees.

How to increase crawl-off efficiency in a homemade bin?

How to keep ‘em working over the winter (not just working, but reproducing)? I’ve read that even with supplemental heat the bugs somehow know it’s not breeding time.

I haven’t found much info on the web, I guess it’s a pretty new concept, and thus fun to be involved with.

- Mark in Santa Barbara

]]> By: Paul Olivier http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-1/#comment-22794 Paul Olivier Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:20:40 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22794 Rosie, The larvae turn black when they mature, and these mature prepupal larvae must find a way out of the waste, otherwise they will die. If you see black larvae in your bin, try to take them out. Put them in some dry sawdust or rice hulls and a few weeks later they will mature. Please see: http://www.esrla.com/pdf/ait.pdf Rosie,

The larvae turn black when they mature, and these mature prepupal larvae must find a way out of the waste, otherwise they will die.

If you see black larvae in your bin, try to take them out. Put them in some dry sawdust or rice hulls and a few weeks later they will mature.

Please see: http://www.esrla.com/pdf/ait.pdf

]]> By: Rosie http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-1/#comment-22793 Rosie Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:26:04 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22793 Dear All, It's been great reading you. I discovered BSF just a week ago, when a friend was horrified by what she found in her compost heap. A little research later, and I'm in love! I've set up a container on my apartment building rooftop in Goa, India. The perfect climate - about a constant 30 degrees celcius year round (with great variations in humidity). There are adults BSF living locally (seemingly abundant) and already laying in my bin. My main use for BSF is waste management. I don't as of today have a specific need for harvesting the pre-pupal larvae or compost (that will come once I'm out of the apartment and into a house). If the pre-pupae are unable to leave my bucket, I imagine some will manage to pupate in the drier edges of the bucket, but others will die. Will this create problems? I would eventually like a harvesting system so that the larvae can do what nature intended, but in the meantime, while I'm building my colony, is it necessary for the pre-pupae to be able to leave the bucket? Thanks kindly, in advance, to all. Rosie Dear All, It’s been great reading you. I discovered BSF just a week ago, when a friend was horrified by what she found in her compost heap. A little research later, and I’m in love! I’ve set up a container on my apartment building rooftop in Goa, India. The perfect climate – about a constant 30 degrees celcius year round (with great variations in humidity). There are adults BSF living locally (seemingly abundant) and already laying in my bin. My main use for BSF is waste management. I don’t as of today have a specific need for harvesting the pre-pupal larvae or compost (that will come once I’m out of the apartment and into a house). If the pre-pupae are unable to leave my bucket, I imagine some will manage to pupate in the drier edges of the bucket, but others will die. Will this create problems? I would eventually like a harvesting system so that the larvae can do what nature intended, but in the meantime, while I’m building my colony, is it necessary for the pre-pupae to be able to leave the bucket? Thanks kindly, in advance, to all. Rosie

]]> By: Richard Civil http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-1/#comment-22613 Richard Civil Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:50:29 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22613 Thanks again. I will get a bipod, but I may wait until closer to spring to get it. Drop me an email rcivil at comcast dot net. Thanks again. I will get a bipod, but I may wait until closer to spring to get it. Drop me an email rcivil at comcast dot net.

]]> By: Paul Olivier http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-1/#comment-22609 Paul Olivier Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:19:23 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22609 Richard, I think that it is best to wait until spring when adult females will be around to lay eggs. When BSF females are present, you do not have to do anything. They will lay eggs and assure a healthy population of grubs. Joe, I can give you a lot of free advice. But you will need a biopod. Richard,

I think that it is best to wait until spring when adult females will be around to lay eggs. When BSF females are present, you do not have to do anything.
They will lay eggs and assure a healthy population of grubs.

Joe,

I can give you a lot of free advice. But you will need a biopod.

]]> By: Joe Ferrone http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-1/#comment-22605 Joe Ferrone Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:28:27 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22605 Man I wish we had BSF in Colorado!! Hey Dr. Oliver, I am going to Brazil for the month of November. Any interest in helping me set up a biopod near the Fortaleza area? Joe Ferrone qualitytrent at gmail.com Man I wish we had BSF in Colorado!! Hey Dr. Oliver, I am going to Brazil for the month of November. Any interest in helping me set up a biopod near the Fortaleza area?

Joe Ferrone
qualitytrent at gmail.com

]]> By: Richard Civil http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-1/#comment-22604 Richard Civil Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:19:56 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22604 Thanks Paul. Is this something I should wait for the spring to start? How do I start the colony, add grubs to the biopad? Thanks Paul. Is this something I should wait for the spring to start? How do I start the colony, add grubs to the biopad?

]]> By: Paul Olivier http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-1/#comment-22603 Paul Olivier Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:14:34 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22603 Yes, BSF are found in Portland. If you want to harvest larvae efficiently, I suggest that you buy a biopod. Yes, BSF are found in Portland.
If you want to harvest larvae efficiently, I suggest that you buy a biopod.

]]> By: Richard Civil http://www.redwormcomposting.com/the-share-board/vermimans-diy-bsfl-bin/comment-page-1/#comment-22588 Richard Civil Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:12:37 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=240#comment-22588 I live in the Portland Oregon area. Do these flies live here and if not how can I sustain this system? Looks like something I would like to do. I raise reptiles and the grubs are a perfect food. Thanks I live in the Portland Oregon area. Do these flies live here and if not how can I sustain this system? Looks like something I would like to do. I raise reptiles and the grubs are a perfect food.

Thanks

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