BSFL and sawdust

If I were to introduce BSFL into my majority sawdust compost pile, would they thrive? or would the heat be too much?

I've never thought of using BSF to decompose some sawdust, but yesterday I read a lot about BSF and then walked by the sawmill and thought, that could make a lot of chicken feed!

Willie - Welcome to Permies, sorry we missed you in December...

I don't think, the BSFL's could handle the high-cellulose content of the sawdust, they are not able to digest that much, a little is Ok, a lot is not. I know, that some people will use ground corncobs for bedding to absorb the leachate, but that is not an intended use as a BSFL food. I didn't get that was not what you were intending the sawdust for, or was it? By comparison, the BSFL's eat along the same lines as humans do, with the exception of the excreta...

I wasn't talking straight sawdust, I was thinking of adding the BSFL to my compost pile.

If i created a pile of say sawdust, rabbit manure and grass/straw would BSFL help to compost it?

Willie Shannon wrote:I wasn't talking straight sawdust, I was thinking of adding the BSFL to my compost pile.

If i created a pile of say sawdust, rabbit manure and grass/straw would BSFL help to compost it?

Maybe this site can help you...and, consider what sawdust, rabbit manure (which is, most often, incompletely digested) and grass/straw is...

What can they eat?

Actually BSF's don't eat but their larvae can and do eat all organic material. Examples of BSFL foods are: food waste/scraps, carrion (dead animals), manure. Its interesting to note that 1 meter square of BSFL eat about 15 kgs a day. It should be added that BSFL do not eat high-cellulose items, but they do break them down enough to make it much easier for worms to eat.

http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/home/faq

Probably more newbies than me are scratching their heads about the acronyms above. PLEASE define your acronyms before using them, just like when using pronouns. Makes it easier to follow the discussion.

Steven Feil wrote:Probably more newbies than me are scratching their heads about the acronyms above. PLEASE define your acronyms before using them, just like when using pronouns. Makes it easier to follow the discussion.

black soldier fly larva

Maybe this site can help you...and, consider what sawdust, rabbit manure (which is, most often, incompletely digested) and grass/straw is...

What can they eat?

Actually BSF's don't eat but their larvae can and do eat all organic material. Examples of BSFL foods are: food waste/scraps, carrion (dead animals), manure. Its interesting to note that 1 meter square of BSFL eat about 15 kgs a day. It should be added that BSFL do not eat high-cellulose items, but they do break them down enough to make it much easier for worms to eat.

http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/home/faq

Steven Feil wrote:Probably more newbies than me are scratching their heads about the acronyms above. PLEASE define your acronyms before using them, just like when using pronouns. Makes it easier to follow the discussion.

Steven - I want to say this most respectfully and I hope you can hear me. You are right, we 'could' think to define, more common terms to us, that maybe lesser known to others. But, most of us are putting more effort into addressing a thread than wondering what the readership may or may not know. I know, when I was beginning and still do I would look up terms/things that I didn't understand and/or wanted to know more about. Taking initiative will better help your understanding and your needs rather than someone else trying to imagine what you or another needs. If you had clicked on the link provided above, it would have more than answered your question...

I am going to try to say this most respectfully as well: If a person does not even know where to begin, how can that be helpful or encouraging to the new person. This site has soooooo many jumping off points that have cross information that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to even think about where to START an investigation. Is the acronym related to sawdust or some other indiscreet thing?

And actually, in a fraction of the space it took for you to respectfully tell me I am on my own, you could have done a decent job of explaining what I needed to know.

Hi Guys

Willie Shannon wrote:If I were to introduce BSFL into my majority sawdust compost pile, would they thrive? or would the heat be too much?

I have put handfuls of sawdust in my bsf composting units to help dry it when too wet and the bsfl did ok with it. I have never tried a majority sawdust unit. I use sawdust and wood chip to get the bsf pupae to hatch.

If i created a pile of say sawdust, rabbit manure and grass/straw would BSFL help to compost it?

The bsfl would love the rabbit manure and probably help just a little with the grass/straw and sawdust. I'm not sure if they will make a meal out of the sawdust but guess they wouldn't mind it being there. You could always pass what's left through worms to finish it off.

Steven Feil wrote:PLEASE define your acronyms before using them, just like when using pronouns. Makes it easier to follow the discussion.

BSF = Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens)

BSFL = Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Source: http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/home/faq

Stay calm and Permaculture!!

Use mushroom spore to decompose sawdust the fastest.

Be aware that aromatic woods like pine and cypress are deadly to most small critters so don't use anywhere near BSF, not even for bedding.

For those who are just starting, black soldier flies are like caviar or fancy ice-cream for birds! Once they discover them, if they can get at the black soldier flies, the birds will decimate your population very quickly. So you will have to protect them vigorously. =^D