Black Soldier Flies

[DanSB]

In my infinite wisdom I purchased 150 lot of BSF larvae (insert brand name here). Didn't keep them in the fridge, and only feed about 4 a day... I'm starting to get flies and nobody in the house right now will eat the flies.

I really can't find info about feeding, breeding in a controlled environment. All the info im finding is about using them for mulching.

Does anyone have experience with these flies? Any how to or tips on care?

Worst case I'll let em go outside, they will hopefully at least keep down the pest flies...

 

[CNorton]

Hey Dan!

I just hopped on the forums real quick and saw your post, hope you're doing well.


I found this site http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/home/faq which was really helpful and should answer most of your questions. I actually didn't know even half of what's on there. Goes to show you...there are experts on just about EVERY single thing out there. We've just gotta find the right people to learn from.

So those adult flies you've got roaming around don't actually even eat anything. I've tried to feed mine but they don't care one bit. If your chams aren't eating them then you're best off giving them away to those that can use them. Try to slow the hatch rate of the larvae so your chams get hungry enough to eat them at the same rate they are ready to hatch! Anyways, that's what I would do!

 

[DanSB]

Thanks for the link Chad, it looks like I'll find everything I need there.

Things are going well, looking to finally get more chams very soon. Right now my frogs are eating the grubs but the flies are a little bigger than I'm comfortable feeding. The flies will make a great enrichment feeder for chams so this won't be an issue in few weeks.

If I start getting a lot of flies I can't use I'd be happy to give them to you or anyone else in town. This is why we need to get meetings going!

 

[Yak]

Thanks for the link Chad, it looks like I'll find everything I need there.

Things are going well, looking to finally get more chams very soon. Right now my frogs are eating the grubs but the flies are a little bigger than I'm comfortable feeding. The flies will make a great enrichment feeder for chams so this won't be an issue in few weeks.

If I start getting a lot of flies I can't use I'd be happy to give them to you or anyone else in town. This is why we need to get meetings going!

i'll grab 'em from you!

 

[bbprinting]

The flys only live about 5 or so days so you will not have a problem very long. Mine go nuts for the flys, I mean crazy! They have no way to eat so they only survive on what they have stored up.

 

[DanSB]

i'll grab 'em from you!

Do you live near Sacramento?

The flys only live about 5 or so days so you will not have a problem very long. Mine go nuts for the flys, I mean crazy! They have no way to eat so they only survive on what they have stored up.

Yeah they don't keep well!

I just wish there was some way to get them to breed...

 

[bbprinting]

You can, I have a full setup that produces 1000's a month, just check out the setups they have on http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/. This is the one I built
http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/bsf-marketplace/3-bsf-composting-units/5-bsf-bio-composter

 

[DanSB]

You can, I have a full setup that produces 1000's a month, just check out the setups they have on http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/. This is the one I built
http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/bsf-marketplace/3-bsf-composting-units/5-bsf-bio-composter

This is going to be fun. Awesome site. I think I'm going to set up a breeding bin and give it a go.

My wife asked what I was looking at so I acted embarrassed and said I was looking at an adult website, she told me I was a liar and probably reading about roaches... Ha guess I'm a terrible liar.

 

[ChamLady]

LMAO with morning coffee. Thank you!

 

[bbprinting]

lol, my wife gives me grief all the time. "Are you on another bug site, what possibly more could learn about bugs?"

Just a warning it can get pretty nasty considering it is composting rotting fruits and vegetables. It is by far the main thing I try to keep hidden on the side of the house from my wife. Once you get it built I would seed it without about 500 phoenix worms which you can usually get for about $20 off of ebay. Each composter is built with a ramp that the Phoenix worms when they are ready to turn into flys will climb and then when they reach the top they fall off into a collection box or bowl. That part I would remove so that the just fall to the ground . Then they will move to comfortable place to transform into the flys. The more worms you have the better chance of getting a female and male hatching at the same time.

 

[DanSB]

lol, my wife gives me grief all the time. "Are you on another bug site, what possibly more could learn about bugs?"

Just a warning it can get pretty nasty considering it is composting rotting fruits and vegetables. It is by far the main thing I try to keep hidden on the side of the house from my wife. Once you get it built I would seed it without about 500 phoenix worms which you can usually get for about $20 off of ebay. Each composter is built with a ramp that the Phoenix worms when they are ready to turn into flys will climb and then when they reach the top they fall off into a collection box or bowl. That part I would remove so that the just fall to the ground . Then they will move to comfortable place to transform into the flys. The more worms you have the better chance of getting a female and male hatching at the same time.

I'm going to try some "food grade" ones first and set up an outdoor composter next spring. I have a 16x16x30 screen cage im not using right now. I suspect this might work and if I use small amounts of standard gutload foods with bug burger and other supplements my guess is it won't get stinky. What do you think, does that sound like it might work?

 

[bbprinting]

They key at first is providing enough "smell" that makes the females want to come in a lay, they will only lay above an area that they know is a food source, how much "smell" is anyone's guess. I tried a screen enclosure at first and I just could not get it to go, but I probably gave up to soon. I only use the same fruits and vegetables I gutload with to feed mine, but mine are exposed to the 105 degree Texas sun which causes rotting much faster. The key is figuring out how much they eat a day "sort of like Dubias" and only putting that amount in so that none rots.

 

[Yak]

Do you live near Sacramento?




Yeah they don't keep well!

I just wish there was some way to get them to breed...

HI Dan
there is a way
it requires patience, but they are relatively easy.

I was kidding by the way... I do have a few left
from a couple of months I bought in larvae state.

im in the bay area, unfortunately one of my four just loves them

 

[Norcal55]

Ok Im hooked and going to try this. I put some larger Phoenix worms in a cup for one of my guys last week and the ones that were not eaten turned into flies. He was hooked on them. It was fun to watch and it was nice to see him more active. He stalked those flies for hours

 

[junglefries]

porn

You might be the only male admit to looking for porn, & you weren't even looking for it. how's that for being a cham owner. we have such issues.