Keeping BSFL

[Overbearing_ChameleoGod]

BSFL are commonly used in composting bins as the flies avoid humans and the larvae are very effective composters that"self harvest". I get young larvae and put them in a compost bin where they grow. I collect the grubs that self harvest and store at 55 deg F (small refrigerator with thermostat). Every few days, place grubs into a cup with small 0.25 holes and the flies will randomly pop out over time. At normal room temps the flies are slow and can be caught by hand.

The big downside is the compost bins, they can get nasty.

 

[Chameleomom]

I don't feed my BSFL because I want to pupate faster into fly. When you feed them they stay larvae longer

 

[Overbearing_ChameleoGod]

I have noticed that the size and longevity of the fly is directly tied to the size and health of the pupae. This may seem obvious but the trigger to pupate isnt well understood. Small underfed pupae will change to much smaller, weak flies. Large well fed pupae change into flies resembling small wasps that are much more rigorous. I have no scientific evidence to back but I think bsf make a great feeder as they can be time released and controlled, are plentiful and cheap, and keep the chameleon very active for small nutritious snacks. I think it would be hard to overfeed a cham on bsf. IMO, the flies are much less of a nuisance than crickets, house flies, etc. but they cannot be gutloaded as we traditionally think of it so variety is very important.

 

[NashansCamos]

I have noticed that the size and longevity of the fly is directly tied to the size and health of the pupae. This may seem obvious but the trigger to pupate isnt well understood. Small underfed pupae will change to much smaller, weak flies. Large well fed pupae change into flies resembling small wasps that are much more rigorous. I have no scientific evidence to back but I think bsf make a great feeder as they can be time released and controlled, are plentiful and cheap, and keep the chameleon very active for small nutritious snacks. I think it would be hard to overfeed a cham on bsf. IMO, the flies are much less of a nuisance than crickets, house flies, etc. but they cannot be gutloaded as we traditionally think of it so variety is very important.

I've fed them before and all of my chams snap both larvae and adults instantly. the only problem I have is sometimes they're too small and they fly. Letting them loose in the cage is a fun idea. I've also heard that bsfl has amazing calcium. It was something like 30-60 times more calcium than a cricket. Is this true?