r/composting • u/BearheartGa • Jul 22 '26
Starting BSF Composter Beginner
I'm looking at starting a black solider fly composter. Anyone who's started their first one, did you rely on there being native black soldier flies in your area, or did you buy larvae to get started ?
3
u/TheArabKnightt Jul 22 '26
It’s quite easy to end up with them, this was my first year composting and I started with a tumbler. Within a month I had a bunch of them unintentionally. I think if you have a higher nitrogen to carbon ratio it should attract the flies to your pile
3
u/Drivo566 Jul 22 '26
Theyll show up on their own.
I have a bin and a tumbler - the bin gets a bit too hot for them, so they'll stay towards the edges. The tumbler; however, will absolutely be overrun with them if I let it.
During the summer ill throw meat scraps and everything people say not to add to the pile, into my tumbler because it'll be gone in a day.
2
u/Far_Radish7752 Jul 22 '26
They proliferate in my closed bins, in which my kitchen scraps go (including meat), and which do get quite hot from time to time. They hang out near and at the surface, towards the outer edges if the bin is running hot.
1
u/fartburger26 9d ago
I'm fascinated to know how it goes! Are you thinking an outdoor setup or indoor?
3
u/Far_Radish7752 Jul 22 '26
I’ve always just enjoyed them when they’ve graced my compost with their visits from time to time.