Black Soldier Fly Larvae – Revisited

You may recall the interesting slew of comments that erupted after I innocently posted a ‘Share Board’ article about a DIY Black Soldier Fly larvae bin. Aside from including some much-needed drama (just trying to keep everyone on their toes – haha!), the thread also contained lots of great information. I started communicating with Dr. Paul Oliver (who left some great comments) via email and he shared some documents/presentations he has put together re: BSF larvae. He suggested I make them available here on the site for anyone interested in this stuff (I realize this is not vermicomposting, but hey it’s nice to change things up once in awhile!).

Taking things one step further, I offered to convert one of his presentations into a video – which as you can see, has been included above. Unfortunately I needed to go fairly quicky at times in order to ensure that I stayed under 10 min – I learned the hard way that anything over would be rejected (my first attempt was 13 min).

If you want the PDF version of the video you can find it >>HERE<<. If you want something a bit smaller, below I have included a link to a nice short summary (4 pages) of this info. I mentioned above that this is “not vermicomposting”, but interestingly enough, Dr. Oliver feels that BSFL and composting worms can work together to process wastes extremely effectively (as you’ll see in the presentation an document below).

>> Bioconversion of Putrescent Wastes <<

In an effort to really live on the edge, I’ve decided to add a new BSFL category to the blog. Not sure how often I’ll write about this topic, but I figured even the posts so far have been worthy of their own category.
8)

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Comments

    • Bob Packard
    • October 27, 2008

    Bentley, Amazing stuff! Seems to me that almost every landfill could be converted to useful product if more governments would look at true recycling with open minds. Keep up the good work. You may not ever win a Nobel prize, but keep trying anyway.

  1. Amazing indeed. It makes me just a little humble when we hear about what nature c
    do for us!

    Request please. The article talks about ‘anywhere in America’.. then
    goes on to say something about Argentina to Seattle? I’m Euro based
    so I’m interested if (this idea) would work in …. New York equivalent, say.

    Perhaps if you come across ideas that need Southern US climate it would
    be worth pointing out that?

    What next I ask!

    Thanks.

    DaveP

  2. Hi to answer DaveP’s questiion in part…..

    Circle3 is located in Australia and currently ship Biopods (both residential and commercial sizes) to Australia and New Zealand. Australia has a very robust population of Black Soldier Flies (BSF) and we have a standing order for 40 ton a month of the larvae. The majority of the larvae is currently being utilised for fish feed on a blended basis with other fillers, with remainder being used for poultry feed

    The BSF in most locations self populate the BioPods within a a two week period and come to full production capacity within about 90 days. We do note the protein intake of the units need to be monitored a s too much seems to attract other species of flies.

    I am happy to speak to anyone about BSF and BioPods, for either residential or commercial use. In some states of Australia the purchaser receives a cash rebate from the government for the purchase and use of the BioPod as a composting unit, the same as for a vermiculture unit.

    David Watson
    CEO
    Circle Three Group Pty Ltd
    +61733744188
    Australia: 1300-76-77-78

  3. Obvious questions for David:

    URL to read more about this.
    Remaining questions:
    What range of input ‘foods’ for the system.
    How to process the outputs?
    Cost of a domestic version of the kit?

    Offline if you prefer, as comments if Bentley is OK!

    regards

    • DSF
    • November 22, 2008

    Great info, thanks! The sawdust in the collection bucket’s one I’ll have to remember come spring, since I seem to have (reluctantly!) adopted a colony of BSFL that showed up in a poorly lidded bokashi bucket I was trialing out of doors.

    For the DIYers, BTW, a bokashi bucket with mesh over the drainholes makes a decent starter bucket, something I learned at a site your browser may not like: https://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/showthread.php?t=4413

    DSF
    bokashi for the apartment-dweller

    • Jeff O
    • October 17, 2009

    Awesome, Informative!

    I think I have a new project!

    Also, I read your previous posts on BSF’s from Oct ’08. Vermiman’s post of Q&A, did the trick.

    Found a pretty good website for more BSF info:
    http://www.blacksoldierflyblog.com

    Am looking forward to your next Newsletter on Diptera.

    PS. My worms are thriving, since I became a vericomposter, 8mos ago.

    • Bentley
    • October 19, 2009

    Glad you liked it Jeff – Dr. Oliver definitely gets the credit though. His presentation is fantastic.
    You are right about the “Black Soldier Fly Blog”, and as I’ve already teased you about, I DID in fact link to it in my last newsletter.
    8)

  4. Here is my father’s presentation as a google docs powerpoint.

    http://thebiopod.com/pages/pages/keynotes.html

    • MUTAHI
    • November 21, 2011

    AM in Kenya and am interested in BSF and BioPods .How can i get them.i look forward to hear from you.

    Regards
    william mutahi

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