BSF - Hermetia illucens

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Comment by D S Foxx on December 9, 2008 at 8:25am

Jenny--welcome!

Short answer: worms and BSFL don't make great roommates, though a couple of grubs in a bin aren't a problem. Longer reply in new discussion.

Comment by Jenny on December 8, 2008 at 11:06pm

I thought my red worm bins were becoming rather wet and then noticed lots and lots of white fluffy stuff as well as many cream coloured larvae. Last week I thought I saw them moving but today they seem dormant. When I prod them, they are soft and seem to move very slightly. From what I have read, they have their advantages but please can someone tell me all the advantages (and disadvantages) of having them in my worm bin. At this stage, my worms are my priority so I don't want an over abundance of BSF to adversely affect my worms. If I keep them in my bins, are there any extra precautions I have to take to protect my worms?
Many thanks

Comment by D S Foxx on December 1, 2008 at 3:54pm

Last adult BSF sighting here in Austin: Nov. 30. My colony's been moved to winter quarters, styrofoam coolers with leaching pads.

Comment by Dwayne on August 31, 2008 at 5:40am

Its been wet lately with tropical rain and I am seeing more BSF. All sizes.

Comment by RJ_Hythloday on August 19, 2008 at 1:36am

I'm still seeing plenty in the wb, for the transplant I just grabbed gloved handfuls of bedding that contained bsf. I thought it would've kept them happy but I think the conditions just weren't right.

I hope I didn't have too many cocoons in the handfuls of bedding. I'm finally starting to see some in the wb.

Comment by Dwayne on August 18, 2008 at 1:52pm

The BSF, like the worms, are hard to figure out sometimes. Right now I am not seeing as many BSF as before. Seems like it goes in cycyles.

Comment by RJ_Hythloday on August 18, 2008 at 12:31pm

Thanks Dwayne,

Update, the dog doo seems to just be sitting. I've poked around w/ a stick a bit. All the food I gave them the first day is gone, I don't see any left. I don't want to dig around too much. Perhaps w/ the new digs they decided to hatch and fly away. There's no smell so I'll let it sit for a while and not add any more to see if they come back or bury it if it becomes infested w/ houseflies.

I fed the wb today and there's still a ton of bsf in there. Another adult was waiting to be released. They really can't fly at first I just grabbed it and placed it near the doo, hopefully it'll lay some eggs there.

I wonder if the open bottom was a problem in the new bsf bin or I just didn't simulate the conditions close enough. I might harvest some more bsf out of wb and see if they stick around. Maybe a closed container from the dollar store w/ a few air holes would make conditions closer to the wb.

Comment by Dwayne on August 17, 2008 at 7:25am

Nice garden. Dwayne

Comment by RJ_Hythloday on August 17, 2008 at 4:49am

The bin behind the bale is planted. My worms are back left corner just in front of the firewood. The bit of wood panel coming out from under the drift wood is the self cleaning greenpooper scooper. The logs on the wall get pulled out for seats by the fire pit. In front are sunflowers to provide shade for the salad planted in the bale.

Comment by RJ_Hythloday on August 17, 2008 at 4:46am

Here's some pics of the bin. I'll add another later when there's taking care of the dogdoo.

The bins here under the drift wood.

Just for comparison, here's the waste after 10 minutes

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