How to Start a Black Soldier Fly Compost Bin

Black Soldier Fly Composting: Turn Waste into Premium Animal Feed

Black soldier fly composting is one of the most efficient waste-processing systems available to homesteaders, gardeners, and animal keepers. BSF larvae consume food scraps at an extraordinary rate — a bin of larvae can process several pounds of food waste per day — converting it into high-protein, high-calcium grubs that you can feed directly to your reptiles, chickens, fish, or other animals.

How BSF Composting Works

The concept is simple: you provide food waste, BSF larvae eat it, and you harvest the grown larvae as animal feed. The process is faster than traditional composting, produces less odor (BSF larvae suppress harmful bacteria), and yields a valuable end product instead of just compost.

What You Need

• A BSF composting bin: Commercial options are available, or build one from a 5-gallon bucket or storage tote with drainage, ventilation, and a ramp for mature larvae to self-harvest
• BSF larvae or eggs: Start with purchased larvae or attract wild BSF (in warm climates) by leaving food scraps exposed
• Food waste: Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, grains, bread, and even meat and dairy (BSF can handle what traditional compost cannot)
• Warm location: BSF need temperatures above 70°F to be active. In temperate climates, this works spring through fall outdoors.

What BSF Larvae Eat

BSF larvae are remarkably unfussy compared to red wiggler composting worms. They process:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps (their favorite)
• Cooked grains, rice, bread
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Meat and fish scraps (unlike traditional composting)
• Dairy products
• Pet food

The only items to avoid: large bones, excessive oils/grease, and plastic/non-organic materials.

Harvesting

When larvae reach the prepupal stage (darkening, climbing), they naturally crawl up ramps built into well-designed BSF bins — effectively self-harvesting into a collection bucket. You can then feed these directly to your animals or refrigerate them for later use.

Benefits of BSF Composting

• Waste reduction: BSF larvae reduce food waste volume by up to 95%
• Free animal feed: Harvested larvae are nutritionally identical to purchased BSFL — 17% protein, 9,340 mg/kg calcium
• Odor reduction: BSF larvae actually suppress the bacteria that cause composting odors
• Speed: BSF composting is much faster than traditional composting — days, not months
• Versatility: BSF handle meat and dairy that traditional composting cannot

Climate Considerations

BSF composting works best in warm climates (Florida, Texas, California, the Southeast). In cooler climates, it is a seasonal activity — spring through fall when temperatures consistently exceed 70°F. Some dedicated composters use insulated indoor bins with supplemental heating for year-round operation.

Not Ready to Compost? Buy BSFL Instead

BSF composting is rewarding but requires space, warm weather, and patience to set up. If you just want high-calcium feeder insects for your reptiles or chickens without the DIY commitment, shop our BSFL collection for premium, ready-to-feed larvae shipped with our live arrival guarantee.

— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures