Some people do use them to make compost. I haven't, and I don't think most people on this board do. I think there are other sites out there that discuss them in more detail. They seem to get mixed reviews, although some people are really into them. I believe there are purpose-built bins that people make specifically for BSF composting that are somewhat different from worm bins.

""great if you are looking to recycle kitchen scraps down very quickly"" Yes, I agree. Anther thing what I remember reading, it will cause temp. to rise rather quickly and cause a wetter bin. I guess because kitchen scraps (containing mostly water) got broken down in such a short time.

Whenever I found any in my bins, I squashed them and put back in the bin. Extra protein for the worms

If you compost outside I seriously doubt you can keep BSF larva out of the compost. The adult does not feed and only breeds so I think its carcass will likely be recycled. I have read that BSF are considered the ultimate composter.

I'm not fond of them. To me, they are an indicator of over-feeding. I've been having to start my bins over, and have had a run of pockets of them, but gratefully, my DH pulls them out of the bins every morning to feed to the mockingbirds.

Because compost needs air and cannot be air tight it is hard to keep any insects out when located outdoors. Esp those insects that fly and live to recycle organic waste, that is what they do.

Indoors you might have better luck as long as you don't bring in any materials that were ever outside.

I say embrace the BSF Larva.

Embrace? Um, no. Accept that they are part of the deal, yes. We even farm out the BSF to the local bird population. But I don't feel I have to be obligated to love them.

<Embrace? Um, no. Accept that they are part of the deal, yes. We even
farm out the BSF to the local bird population. But I don't feel I have
to be obligated to love them.>

Maybe it's my accent but afaik to embrace also means to accept. To me love is something all together diff.

You may also want to "accept" that the BSFL keep other flying insects away, so there is another benefit.

As long as there are chickens in the picture, nobody else has to worry about loving BSF larvae. Chickens love them enough for all of us.

Gumby, I don't know why you feel the need to sing the praises of BSFL. I've been raising earthworms for more than 25 years. It's not like I don't understand their part in the program. Just because they're part of the package deal at times, doesn't mean I have to like them. I don't like spiders, either, but they're there, too.

I have a friend that hates earthworms. She thinks they're practically evil. LOL I think that she just doesn't like the way they wiggle, or the fact that they're naked, or something like that, but I don't keep shoving my earthworms in her face.

Yeah, some women are like that. If I just show my SIL one worm, she'll be running screaming.

nobody else has to worry about loving BSF larvae. Chickens love them enough for all of us.

I can get behind this idea. My DH was showing me a video yesterday of a chicken farmer that raises BSFL as a major food source for his chickens. Said that they were high in protein and fats. We don't have any chickens, so DH feeds them to the mockingbirds. A fitting end. Happy to close this particular food loop. LOL

<Gumby, I don't know why you feel the need to sing the praises of BSFL.>

Not sure where or why you get the singing praises theme but run with it for sure.

Maybe if you read what I wrote again you can understand what I meant is "Hey nothing you can do about it IF you compost outside so don't worry about it- embrace (accept) it because there is nothing you can do about it."

If you been raising worms for 25 yrs you should already know that.

Me I don't worry about things I have no control over. If you want to worry have at it - you can worry for me too.

Kids! Kids! Surely we can all unite against the real enemy - CENTIPEDES!

Ma! Ma! Are they not ALL part of the process?

Yes they are. Peace on earth.

I don't believe having BSF larva appear in outdoor vermicomposting bins are a given. First, in higher latitudes wild populations are sparse to non-existent... which is why I was surprised to find them in one of my bins (I live in Michigan, likely the absolute end of their natural range). Even in places where the wild population is numerous, tight lids on the bins should prevent the adult fly from access to laying its eggs. I've had several bins outside all summer long... all have lids (the bins also have dozens of 1" diameter holes with hot-glued screen covers on them). Only one of my worm bins at the end of summer had any BSF larva developing in it. It perplexed me at first until I remembered my wife had been throwing tons of garden refuse on an open compost pile when we were shutting down the raised beds in early September and the African NCs had been eating so much I was having difficulty keeping up with their appetites so I decided to supplement their normal food stream supply with rotting stuff from the open compost pile. I'm sure that was the source of the larva in that one bin.... I only have one dedicated bin for the African NCs. Since the other outside worm bins remained BSF larva free, I assume that the lid on each bin is quite effective at keeping the adult BSF from entering. Now, will a lid be as effective keeping the mature larva from getting out to pupate? My observations tell me the drive to find dry soil to pupate in is very strong and the physical characteristics of the larva themselves (soft and flexible unlike the adult fly) they thus are able slip out through tight spaces (between lid and lip) when the time is right. Bottom line: tight fitting bin lids are effective at keeping the adult fly out of the bin but apparently failed at keeping the mature larva within the bin when its time to pupate.

I love all creatures of Earth, including spiders and snakes, but centipedes in my basement get the Shop Vac, with extreme prejudice.

I don't believe having BSF larva appear in outdoor vermicomposting bins are a given.

You bring up an interesting topic. In most of the worm books I had read back when I first began, there were a lot of complaints of "pot worms" taking over the bins of these earlier worm wranchers. Evidently, pot worms are a white worm, thinner and somewhat longer than redworms, and under the right conditions, they'll push the redworms out of the picture.

I've never had a pot worm to my knowledge. A few fly maggots, many flocks of fruit flies, the larva that I love to hate ;-) : BSFL, but no pot worms. I guess we get what is "right" for our locations and bin conditions.

< Bottom line: tight fitting bin lids are effective at keeping the adult
fly out of the bin but apparently failed at keeping the mature larva
within the bin when its time to pupate.> Wonder how they got in there?

Reading monomers observations just saying it another way - it appears that one can prevent BSF from laying eggs in outdoor compost and/or worms bins IF the container is purposely and tightly sealed; else nature will take its course.

Keeping in mind that either method should have sufficient air flow (O2) for the composting process to take place.

How'd they get there?

As I explained a littler further into the posting... I surmised that when I chose to add additional food stuff (just for the ANC bin only) I took it from an already rotting pile of leftovers from our vegetable garden we were closing down for the season and likely the eggs had already been laid on the pile so when I unwittingly introduced the rotting vegetation into the worm bin I transported the eggs into the bin myself. Fortunately they only hatched into a few hundred larvae rather than the more typical thousands that form into writhing masses of larvae (at least judging from the YouTube vids I've seen a lot more eggs laid is the usual case).

I read that... So you give the BSF absolutely no credit for its ability invade your defenses?

The point is even tho you intended to keep them out you did not. So imagine someone who is not aware or has not taken the steps you have.