Here’s how it happened. For decades I have composted using plastic garbage cans, drilling one inch holes in the bottom and sides for drainage and aeration. Kitchen wasted gets added every day and yard waste whenever I work in the yard. The compost gets turned vigorously nearly every day. This method works smoothly, cleanly and fast. When we are away from home, it doesn’t get turned, but no problem.

However, recently I was I’ll for about three weeks and lacked energy to do yard work or turn the compost, although kitchen scraps were added daily. Upon recovering, I went to check out the bin and saw a heaving mass, literally, and upon turning the compost I saw the maggots. Never had maggots before and was at first appalled. I expected to find a gooey stinky, yet the compost was as finished as if it had been turned regularly and there was no odor. Amazed at this, I decided to do some research and thus learned about black soldier flies. Saw one today and took a photo.

One of my concerns was would the maggots kill plants if the compost was used as is. From what I’ve read, that won’t be the case. Is there any other downside to just letting the maggots be?

For the record, we have racoons and squirrels, none of whom have displayed any interest in the compost bins. I’ve not yet seen maggots escaping from the bins. I kind of like the idea of the possibility of song birds coming around to pick the maggots out of the ground around plants where we put the compost.

My composting method is simple, straightforward, costs nothing except for the cheap trash cans, and works like a charm. Employing BSF is new to me and seems like a viable alternative with similar results while requiring even less effort on my part. If so, it would give me more time to domother things in the garden and around the house. We recycle EVERYTHING, use the cuttings from 44 trees as firewood, stripping the leaves from every branch to be used as mulch. Absolutely nothing goes to waste.

btw, we live in suburban North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley area of the city of Los Angeles. Hot summers, sometimes cool wet winters. Compost decomposition slows down somewhat in winter but still works well. This year I decided to get an electric dipstick to keep the compost hot during winter.

What are your thoughts on this

Thanks for the comment. I’ll give my best answer and invite you to join our forum for more in-depth discussions in the future.

I would not hesitate to operate a bottomless unit. In an established unit I don’t think there is enough fresh waste to create a significant rodent issue due to the fact it is consumed so quickly. I haven’t operated a bottomless unit personally, but I’ve had open-top units where surely rodents could have accessed the waste but did not.

I also like the design from earthfarms.org and if you build one I would love to see you share your experience on our forum.