Thousands of Grubs in Compost ( picture and video )

[Binababy]

Wow that is awesome, I definitely do that!I thank you for the tips!

 

[geedub]

BSF larvae (ok, maggots) are light in color during most of their time as larvae. The 5th time they shed their "skin" they're dark like coffee, and their skin is a little tougher. Most animals are more interested in eating the light colored younger larvae. If you can harvest the larvae when they're small, I think it would also make the birds more likely to try them.

 

[Binababy]

Eww that's gross, I thought there was a difference between them, so how do I know for sure that mine are black soldier? I googled pictures pics of them and mine look identical to the pics, but could they be some other fly larve?? Either way im still not touching them except with a stick, shovel or rake eww

 

[geedub]

Eww that's gross, I thought there was a difference between them, so how do I know for sure that mine are black soldier? I googled pictures pics of them and mine look identical to the pics, but could they be some other fly larve?? Either way im still not touching them except with a stick, shovel or rake eww

How does something go from being ok to being gross just because it's called a different name?

I understand that people have an aversion to maggots because they probably associate them with disease and death, however, this particular fly species does not spread diseases. BSF larvae are not only harmless, they're very beneficial. It makes no sense to be disgusted by a natural process carried out by a beneficial creature.

 

[Binababy]

Because like you just said about maggots disease.. Gross, you could have just kept it at at larve and I probably would have not said eww.. Also I didn't say eww or you are gross holding them because I respect that's what you like, and believe that you should respect my feelings of them being gross to me...... and them being beneficial I will keep them, but you also need to respect that regardless beneficial or not Im still not touching them without a stick rake or shovel.......

 

[geedub]

People are disgusted by maggots (in the case of BSF larvae) because of emotional reasons, not logic. We all have issues like that, including me, and I respect a person's right to keep their biases. I can respect an aversion to BSF larvae the same way I can respect someone's fear of the dark, or fear of cats, etc. That's the best I can do because all of the scientific and empirical evidence shows that BSF larvae are nothing to fear.

I'm not picking you in particular. There are people I love who feel the same way you do. However, in this thread I need to point out the facts, because this isn't just a conversation between you and me. BSF have amazing potential to solve the issue of mountains of food waste and livestock manure that result from human activity, but this aversion you share with so many people is stopping us from using them. As a society, we need to change. We need to embrace nature, and find a balanced way of living on this planet.

Life on earth would not exist as it is if there were no bacteria or insects to break down dead and decaying material. We NEED these creatures and owe our lives to them. I do understand being disgusted by natural processes, and I'm sure I have plenty myself, but I can only see this as a weakness. We all have our weaknesses, and hopefully we can eventually overcome them.

Now, let me just get down off of this soap box....

 

[Binababy]

And you are right about the bacteria and all and if they're good then great, we should get back to basics and all but I am right that I do not have to touch them regardless harmless or harmful, if you don't want to pet an animal then do not go to the petting zoo or simply go but do not touch.. and furthermore I do not fear them as I have taken in many wild animals that can bite a chunk out ya nurse them to good health and release them back into the wild, bugs simply disgust me but I can live with the beneficial ones and tolerate them without touching them.. but I can not and will not with any that do not help..

 

[AnnieSantiago]

Where do you get those black compost bins???