Prota™Culture & The BioPod™ - Advanced Composting Using Black Soldier Fly: The Future of Food Waste Diversion & Recycling. Do-it-yourself BSF bucket bio-composter » Black Soldier Fly Blog. I have released a new version which has many more features than this design.
To see the BSF Bucket Bio-Composter version 2.0 please navigate to that page by clicking HERE. Please note that there are several very good and informative comments at the bottom of this post. A no-frills approach Introducing the Black Soldier Fly Bucket Bio-composter v1.1, a minimalistic approach to black soldier fly composting. Despite it’s limitations I hope this simple DIY composter will inspire people to try their hand at attracting and culturing BSF grubs.
Each bucket will vary but the basic concept is the same. Vent Holes I used a 1/2 inch flat drill bit for the vents, but a larger hole is acceptable. Go slowly when drilling or you may tear up the overhang. On my particular bucket the reinforced rim was 3 to 4 inches below the top of the bucket, but it’s higher up on some buckets. Drainage This composter doesn’t utilize a continuous drain system. Coconut Coir Liner (The photos above are from version 1.0. BSF bucket composter v2.1 » Black Soldier Fly Blog. Bioconversion – Dr. Paul Olivier » Black Soldier Fly Blog. BSF questions and answers » Black Soldier Fly Blog. Update: Since we now have a discussion forum we will be disabling comments here on the blog.
Anyone can read the forum, but to join in on the conversation you will need to register. This is an easy and painless process, and it’s necessary to keep spammers from, well, spamming up the place. The forum can be accessed here (forum) and you will see a link for registration in the upper left corner of the forum. The legal language on the registration form is very basic and is what came with the forum software. In short, we won’t share your information, and please don’t be vulgar or break the law. Here are selected emails I’ve received and my best shot at the answers. BioPod & Black Soldier Fly Community Forum - Index.
ProtaCulture - How to Raise, Grow & Harvest Black Soldier Flies. The residential BioPod™ is a self-contained unit that houses the living colony of Soldier Grubs, which are the primary decomposer that inhabits the pod.
It is related in size and scale to a home compost bin or vermiculture system, and like worm bins, must be placed in full shade. It is critical that the sun is not able to heat the pile to temperatures that exceed the functioning range of this species (approx. 60-100˚F). Excessively high temps may cause premature crawl-off, while low temps could result in dormancy. Made from durable polyethylene and powder-coated steel, the BioPod™ can be exposed to the elements year-round and will not fade, crack, or peel with age. The unit comes with everything you need to start your active pile, except for the Soldier Grubs and food scraps. Start up is a simple process that can be approached in one of two ways. If using the natural method, please wait until weather conditions in the spring are favorable enough to support a wild population of BSF.
Hermetia illucens. The black soldier fly, or Hermetia illucens is a common and widespread fly of the family Stratiomyidae, whose larvae are common detritivores in compost heaps.
Larvae are also sometimes found in association with carrion, and have significant potential for use in forensic entomology.[1] Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), also known as "phoenix worms", may be used in manure management, for house fly control and for the bioconversion of organic waste material. Mature larvae and prepupae raised in manure management and waste bioconversion operations may also be used to supplement animal feeds.[2] Larvae are sold as feeders for owners of herptiles and tropical fish, or as composting grubs.
They store high levels of calcium for future pupation which is beneficial to herptiles.[3] Black soldier fly - Hermetia illucens. Common name: black soldier fly scientific name: Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Introduction - Synonymy - Distribution - Description and Life Cycle - Economic Importance - Selected References Introduction (Back to Top) The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus), is a sleek looking fly that many confuse with a wasp.
However, like most flies, the black soldier flies only have two wings (wasps have four) and does not possess a stinger. Although the loud buzzing they create when flying is enough to concern many people, adult soldier flies pose no danger. Figure 1. The black soldier fly is often associated with the outdoors and livestock, usually around decaying organic matter such as animal waste or plant material. Window Fly or Black Soldier Fly Larvae. Follow-up on bug question Hi there – I’m following up on a message (and photos) I sent on 6-22.
I know you guys are extremely busy and can’t post online responses to every inquiry; but if you could just send me a quick reply as to what I’m dealing with, I sure would appreciate it. We’re desperate to make sure we’re not dealing with a harmful situation. By way of reminder, I’m attaching one of the photos that I sent before. Thanks. Sincerely, Fred Watt Owner, TC Concepts Hi Fred, We are very happy you resent your images, though there might have been helpful information in your previous email that we are currently lacking. Update: (06/28/2008) follow-up on bug question Hi Daniel Thank you for your response. Hi again Fred, Thanks for the additional information and the new photo. Black Soldier Fly, White Magic. This article was first published in the Oct/Nov 2009 issue of Backyard Poultry Magazine.
Note that I have duplicated this article in the Poultry: Feeding section under the title “Cultivating Soldier Grubs to Feed the Flock.” ©Photos copyright Bonnie Long, 2009, except as noted. Trash to Treasure I have always been fascinated by the transformation of something “yucky” into something prized. When my father brought home a bushel basket of manure from my grandmother’s chicken coop in the trunk of our car, and worked it into our garden beds, I was filled with wonder: That stuff they warn us barefoot boys not to step in, it’s going to make our vegetables grow?
Black Soldier Fly Research Complete Bibliography « BioSystems Design Blog. To complement the article on Compiled Black Soldier Fly cultivation techniques, I’ve added the bibliography of Black Soldier Fly research articles in the hopes that you fine people will help me add articles I may have missed.
Where possible, I will be adding links to the free or purchasable articles. If you fine individuals find online links of the pay or free variety, please post in the comments section so I can post them. In order by year and by alphabetical Article Title: Black Soldier Fly Manure Treatment. USING THE BLACK SOLDIER FLY, Hermetia illucens, AS A VALUE-ADDED TOOL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SWINE MANURE. Fly Prepupae as a Feedstuff for Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss. Black Soldier Fly project - Pond Boss Forum. More info: "While actively feeding, the larvae secrete a chemical, more precisely an infochemical, that permits them to communicate with other species of flies.
This infochemical or synomone allows them to tell other flies to stay away, that it makes little sense to lay their eggs within an area full of actively feeding BSF larvae. This interspecies communication is indeed very effective. In the vicinity of the disposal unit, we note the near absence of houseflies and all other flies that are a pest to humans. Black Soldier Fly Blog.