Courtesy jbtutt13 ~ Subscribe. Texas Land Office and Texas Water Commission successfully used oil-eating microbes to clean up large spills in weeks. Microbes hunt down and eat the oil and leave only biodegradeable waste that is non-toxic to humans and marine life. Marshlands and beaches were pristine within weeks. Why isn't the news media convering this? Why isn't BP using something that isn't toxic to the environment ? (BP) Beyond Petroleum ? you would think oil eating microbes is right up BP's ally, I think they would rather use toxic dispersants, much be cheaper to their bottom line.