Lyla Lindsey
Black soldier flies, or Hermetia illucens, are an introduced species in Australia, but they are a common sight across the country and are often found in compost piles. They are completely harmless and are often raised for their nutritional value as food for chickens. To attract black soldier flies, you can try using corrugated cardboard and assorted food scraps in a sheltered bucket, as they like to lay their eggs in spaces found in corrugated cardboard near a food supply.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food | Food scraps |
| Egg-laying location | Spaces in corrugated cardboard near food supply |
| Environment | Hotter and wetter |
| Larvae | Sold by pet stores that specialize in reptiles |
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What You'll Learn
Leave out corrugated cardboard with food scraps
To attract black soldier flies in Australia, corrugated cardboard with food scraps can be an effective method. Female black soldier flies are attracted to food with a strong smell, such as coffee grounds or soaked dog kibble. They are also drawn to certain fruits, meat, and even brewery waste. However, be aware that using these food items may also attract fruit flies or house flies.
To create an attractive habitat, take strips of corrugated cardboard and roll them up. Secure the rolls with tape and place them inside a bucket along with a variety of food scraps. Place the bucket in a sheltered location, protected from rain and mostly shaded. The corrugated cardboard provides an ideal surface for the female black soldier flies to lay their eggs, as they prefer dry materials near a food source for their newly hatched larvae.
It is important to note that black soldier flies are more prevalent in warmer weather. Their larvae are often found in compost piles, where they break down organic matter and accelerate the composting process. They are nature's super-composters, known for their large appetite and ability to consume almost any organic material.
By using corrugated cardboard with food scraps, you can create an enticing environment for female black soldier flies to lay their eggs, taking advantage of their natural composting abilities and contributing to sustainable waste management practices.
Additionally, you can enhance the attractiveness of your trap by adding actual larvae to the bucket. The female adult flies are attracted by the scent of larvae, so including some larvae in your trap can make it even more enticing for them to lay their eggs.
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Create a composting mass
To create a composting mass to attract black soldier flies, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, it is important to note that black soldier flies are attracted to food that is already decomposing, so they can lay their eggs on it. They are also more likely to occur in warmer weather. Thus, you can start by collecting food scraps, such as kitchen waste, old fruits and vegetables, or even meat and animal waste. Layer these scraps with leaves or other organic matter to begin the decomposition process.
Next, you can create a purpose-built compost bin to encourage the flies to lay their eggs. This can be done by drilling a 35mm diameter hole in the lid of a bin and building an entry point using a PVC tee, pipe, and coupling. Cut two sections of 100mm pipe and angle one end at 30 degrees to encourage the flies to enter. Attach these pipe segments to the PVC tee with screws.
To provide a surface for the female black soldier flies to lay their eggs, suspend a piece of corrugated cardboard inside the bin using wire. The flies will lay their eggs on the cardboard, and when the eggs hatch, the larvae will fall onto the food scraps below. Ensure you create an exit ramp for the larvae to leave the compost and crawl into the soil to complete their life cycle.
Additionally, you can place strips of corrugated cardboard inside a bucket with assorted food scraps. Leave the bucket in a sheltered area, protected from rain and mostly shaded. Black soldier flies will be attracted to the food source and will lay their eggs in the corrugated cardboard.
By following these steps, you can create an attractive composting mass for black soldier flies, utilizing their rapid composting abilities and contributing to waste disposal and a protein-rich food source for animals.
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Use coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are a great way to attract black soldier flies. Black soldier flies (BSF) are known as "decomposers of organic waste", so they are naturally attracted to coffee grounds. This method of attracting BSF has been researched by Dr. Agus Dana Permana and his student, N. Ramadhani Eka Putra, at the School of Life Sciences and Technology, Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia.
To attract BSF with coffee grounds, start by collecting used coffee grounds from your local coffee shop or your own coffee maker. If the coffee grounds are dry, infuse them with water until the water content is back to 60-70%. Then, place the coffee grounds in a bucket or container. You can add corrugated cardboard to the bucket, as BSF like to lay their eggs in cardboard, and the cardboard will also absorb some of the moisture from the coffee grounds. Place the bucket in a sheltered area, out of the rain, and in a mostly shaded spot.
If you want to start a BSF colony, you can purchase live larvae from pet stores that specialize in reptiles, or you may be able to mail-order them. Once you have the larvae, simply drop them into the bucket with the coffee grounds and let them do their thing. You can also add other food scraps to the bucket to provide a food source for the larvae.
It is important to note that coffee grounds alone may not provide the best growth rate for BSF larvae. A well-balanced protein/oil feed or a mixed organic feed with other coffee by-products is ideal. However, if you are simply looking to attract BSF to your garden or compost bin, coffee grounds should do the trick.
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Source larvae from pet stores
Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae can be purchased from pet stores in Australia, either in-store or online. They are commonly sold as live larvae, and sometimes as dried larvae.
Sourcing Larvae from Pet Stores
When sourcing BSF larvae from pet stores, you can typically find them in tubs containing 100 larvae. These are often marketed as food for pet reptiles, such as lizards, bearded dragons, frogs, turtles, amphibians, spiders, and scorpions. They are also suitable for fish and birds, including insectivores, magpies, finches, and chooks.
Nutritional Value
Black Soldier Fly Larvae are highly nutritious, containing high levels of protein and calcium. They are easily digestible and low in unhealthy fats, making them an excellent primary protein source for insectivorous pets.
Storage and Feeding Recommendations
It is important to store the larvae in a cool place, but not in the fridge. They should be fed within two weeks of purchase, as they may pupalate and morph into flies if kept for an extended period, especially in warmer weather. However, the morphed flies are still safe to feed to your pets.
Online Availability
Several online pet stores in Australia offer Black Soldier Fly Larvae for purchase. However, it is important to note that these are not available for delivery to Tasmania, Western Australia, or the Northern Territory due to perishable item shipping restrictions. When ordering online, consider signing up for a membership program to take advantage of discounts, rewards, and exclusive benefits.
Attracting Black Soldier Flies
To attract Black Soldier Flies, you can create a simple trap by rolling up strips of corrugated cardboard and taping them to the inner rim of a bucket. Place assorted food scraps in the bucket and leave it in a sheltered area, protected from rain and direct sunlight. Black Soldier Flies will be drawn to the bucket, as it provides a suitable egg-laying location near a food source for their larvae.
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Provide a hot and wet environment
Black Soldier Flies (BSF) are an introduced species to Australia, commonly found in the south-eastern United States. They are often mistaken for wasps but are completely harmless, neither biting nor invading human habitats.
To attract BSF, one must provide a hot and wet environment, as they are rare or non-existent in very dry or cold places. Here are some ways to create such an environment:
Firstly, BSF larvae thrive in compost piles, where they break down organic matter and speed up composting. Thus, creating a composting mass with food scraps can be attractive to BSF. Place corrugated cardboard strips rolled up and taped to the inner rim of a bucket filled with food scraps. Leave the bucket in a sheltered place, protected from the rain and mostly shaded. This setup provides a suitable egg-laying location for BSF, as they prefer to lay their eggs near but not directly in a food supply for their larvae.
Additionally, BSF larvae can be purchased from pet stores specializing in reptiles or through online mail orders. Introducing the larvae into a bin with composting materials can help establish a BSF colony.
Creating a hot and wet environment is crucial for attracting BSF, and by following these steps, you can provide an ideal habitat for these harmless flies.
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Frequently asked questions
Black soldier flies are naturally attracted to composting masses, so if they are common in your area, you can attract them to any compost pile. They are also known to like coffee grounds and corrugated cardboard.
Black soldier flies are often found in compost piles, where they break down organic matter and speed up composting. They are also a good source of protein and calcium for chickens.
You can start by creating a compost pile in a sheltered area that is mostly shaded. Add some corrugated cardboard and coffee grounds to the pile, and the black soldier flies should be attracted to the environment you've created.
