Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Harvester - Compost Bucket

I have been looking at BSF compost buckets and wanted to try to make one. I know this one is small, but it's really more about just trying it. If it works... I'll probably make a larger, more improved version.

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• BSF
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• harvester
• aquaponics
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• composting
• larvae
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• maggots

[cubaniton74]

For ventilation, you can cut square or round windows on the top side of the walls of the bucket and cover it with screen and silicone on the outside, and if you want to go high tech, then install a pc fan on the side with a solar panel on the top.

[daddykirbs]

@cubaniton74 Great suggestions, Thanks! I'll have to keep this in mind with my new one.

[Takuan66]

Does it works?

[daddykirbs]

@Takuan66 Yes and no. Read the rest of the comments for the updates. I made a larger container... I'll post a video soon :) Thanks for looking!

[daddykirbs]

Update: I definitely have Black Soldier Flies now. I've witnessed the females laying eggs... but here's the problem.  I drilled a bunch of holes in the bottom of the bucket to take care of my lack of drainage. The fluids that are coming out of the bottom are attracting the flies to lay their eggs outside of the bucket. I'm sure I'm missing out on a bunch of larvae in the harvester. Lucky for me, my compost pile is right there so a lot of the misplaced larvae are finding their way there.

[daddykirbs]

Update: I definitely have Black Soldier Flies now. I've witnessed the females laying eggs... but here's the problem. I drilled a bunch of holes in the bottom of the bucket to take care of my lack of drainage. The fluids that are coming out of the bottom are attracting the flies to lay their eggs outside of the bucket. I'm sure I'm missing out on a bunch of larvae in the harvester. Lucky for me, my compost pile is right there so a lot of the misplaced larvae are finding their way there.

[cubaniton74]

@daddykirbs To force flies to lay the eggs inside: 1 burry bottom of bucket into ground 2", make sure the bottom of the bucket has pently holes for drainage, and you might want to include in the bottom of the bucket a thick plastic filter material or dirt, to have the larvae above ground level. 2. Drill the bottom of the bucket for drainage and place that bucket on top of another bucket with no holes on the bottom, the liquid will stay inside the lower bucket and you can use it as fertilizer

[daddykirbs]

I believe I now have BSF maggots in the bucket! I'll post a video soon to show them. I have only seen BSF larva online so it's possible that I have something else and just don't know the difference.

[BlackSoldierFly]

@daddykirbs Drainage becomes more of a problem when you have a dense colony of larvae and you're processing a lot of material relative to container size. The residue is very fine and tends to clog holes. Both drainage and ventilation are more of an issue if you're operating the unit somewhere near the maximum. If you're careful about how much waste you add there is more room for error.

Where are you located? Have you worked with BSF in another area?

[daddykirbs]

@BlackSoldierFly I have been looking at other designs and have come to the conclusion that my ramps are inadequate. I have also drilled a bunch of holes in the bottom the bucket. It looks like it's draining fine. I put some tiny holes in the lid as well for ventilation. If I do find that I have BSFs, I will build a better, bigger tub. For now, I just want to see if there are any around here. I appreciate the comments.