Comments on: Collecting the immature larvae http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/collecting-immature-larvae/ Bio-Composting with Black Soldier Fly Larvae - Responsible, Fascinating and Simple Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:58:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jerry http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/collecting-immature-larvae/#comment-56 Jerry Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:18:20 +0000 http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/?p=234#comment-56 One thing to keep in mind is that the larvae in my unit are all in a mass within 2-3 inches of the surface. Turing the compost in your traditional unit disperses the food, and therefore the larvae, throughout the unit. That's not the case in a device specifically designed for BSFL. Even so, I think the only real difference would be that it will take longer to attract the larvae in your compost bin to the collection cup. My active colony is still in my old homemade unit because I'm starting my BioPod from scratch. My old box lets in quite a bit of light compared to a BioPod and I can't be sure what kind of difference that might make. Even with the top off I can entice the larvae to the surface with new food. BSFL like almost all food. :) One thing to keep in mind is that the larvae in my unit are all in a mass within 2-3 inches of the surface. Turing the compost in your traditional unit disperses the food, and therefore the larvae, throughout the unit. That’s not the case in a device specifically designed for BSFL. Even so, I think the only real difference would be that it will take longer to attract the larvae in your compost bin to the collection cup.

My active colony is still in my old homemade unit because I’m starting my BioPod from scratch. My old box lets in quite a bit of light compared to a BioPod and I can’t be sure what kind of difference that might make. Even with the top off I can entice the larvae to the surface with new food.

BSFL like almost all food. :)

]]> By: Nifty-Chicken http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/collecting-immature-larvae/#comment-55 Nifty-Chicken Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:43:54 +0000 http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/?p=234#comment-55 Jerry, I put out two containers, one with 1/2 side rice and 1/2 side mac-n-cheese. The other one has damp "wet cob" that is for sheep and has mashed corn, oats, and molasses? If I turn the soil I see a TON of BSFL but none are venturing into the container. My bin allows a tiny bit of light inside, is that the problem (they won't venture to the surface). Does your container keep all light out? Maybe the holes in the bottom allow them to go into the container from under the ground? Maybe they just don't like the food I'm providing. Looking forward to your list of best baits for BSFL! Jerry, I put out two containers, one with 1/2 side rice and 1/2 side mac-n-cheese. The other one has damp “wet cob” that is for sheep and has mashed corn, oats, and molasses?

If I turn the soil I see a TON of BSFL but none are venturing into the container. My bin allows a tiny bit of light inside, is that the problem (they won’t venture to the surface). Does your container keep all light out? Maybe the holes in the bottom allow them to go into the container from under the ground? Maybe they just don’t like the food I’m providing.

Looking forward to your list of best baits for BSFL!

]]> By: Jerry http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/collecting-immature-larvae/#comment-53 Jerry Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:56:21 +0000 http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/?p=234#comment-53 I'm trying to think of something they WON'T flock to! At this very moment I'm testing plain steamed broccoli and french toast with maple syrup. So far the french toast is winning. :) I plan on running a series of tests to see what they're preferences might be, but I think this method would work fairly well with most foods. The main reason I used fish pellets in this case is because I'm using the larvae to feed train my fish. The fish love to eat the larvae so I feed the larvae some fish pellets and also coat them with a mash made from it. That way the fish get a taste of the fish food every time they eat a larvae. I'm not sure if it will work but it seems reasonable. I’m trying to think of something they WON’T flock to! At this very moment I’m testing plain steamed broccoli and french toast with maple syrup. So far the french toast is winning. :)

I plan on running a series of tests to see what they’re preferences might be, but I think this method would work fairly well with most foods.

The main reason I used fish pellets in this case is because I’m using the larvae to feed train my fish. The fish love to eat the larvae so I feed the larvae some fish pellets and also coat them with a mash made from it. That way the fish get a taste of the fish food every time they eat a larvae. I’m not sure if it will work but it seems reasonable.

]]> By: Nifty-Chicken http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/collecting-immature-larvae/#comment-52 Nifty-Chicken Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:34:23 +0000 http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/?p=234#comment-52 I'll experiment! Jerry, I don't have any fish meal around. What is your top 10 list of food stuffs to tempt these guys? I think dog food is atop your list, but I don't have this either. I’ll experiment!

Jerry, I don’t have any fish meal around. What is your top 10 list of food stuffs to tempt these guys? I think dog food is atop your list, but I don’t have this either.

]]> By: Jerry http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/collecting-immature-larvae/#comment-51 Jerry Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:31:53 +0000 http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/?p=234#comment-51 Hey Nifty! The larvae come into the collector like the tide rises and lowers. Once they're all in there it takes a while to find the exits. :) I think the yogurt container would work but I don't know if it would be worth the extra steps. I literally just put some food in the tub and set in on the compost. 5 seconds total. I haven't tried to sort the larvae for size yet. One thing to watch for is that large larvae will try to wiggle into an opening that's too small and get stuck. (I said they were fascinating, not bright :) ) Hey Nifty!

The larvae come into the collector like the tide rises and lowers. Once they’re all in there it takes a while to find the exits. :)

I think the yogurt container would work but I don’t know if it would be worth the extra steps. I literally just put some food in the tub and set in on the compost. 5 seconds total.

I haven’t tried to sort the larvae for size yet. One thing to watch for is that large larvae will try to wiggle into an opening that’s too small and get stuck. (I said they were fascinating, not bright :) )

]]> By: Nifty-Chicken http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/collecting-immature-larvae/#comment-50 Nifty-Chicken Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:22:46 +0000 http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/?p=234#comment-50 Follow up on my question: I'm wondering if you could simply dig a little hole into the compost and take a container (say a large empty container of yogurt) and place it so the top/rim is at the level of the compost. Put in some food and let the larvae crawl in but they can't crawl out? Would that work for catching the younger ones? I'm also wondering if you could add small holes, say 1/6 inch, that would allow the really small ones out, but keep the bigger ones in? Follow up on my question: I’m wondering if you could simply dig a little hole into the compost and take a container (say a large empty container of yogurt) and place it so the top/rim is at the level of the compost. Put in some food and let the larvae crawl in but they can’t crawl out? Would that work for catching the younger ones?

I’m also wondering if you could add small holes, say 1/6 inch, that would allow the really small ones out, but keep the bigger ones in?

]]> By: Nifty-Chicken http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/collecting-immature-larvae/#comment-49 Nifty-Chicken Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:16:36 +0000 http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/?p=234#comment-49 Wow, that's great!!! You could use this to test which foods they like best by timing how long / how may come to the food. Question: Why did they stay in the container and not leave as soon as the food was gone? Looks pretty crowded in there like they couldn't get out (which would be good if actually trying to catch them). Wow, that’s great!!! You could use this to test which foods they like best by timing how long / how may come to the food.

Question: Why did they stay in the container and not leave as soon as the food was gone? Looks pretty crowded in there like they couldn’t get out (which would be good if actually trying to catch them).

]]>