✽ Subjects ▪ Black Soldier Flies

Black Soldier Flies

A black insect with wings and antennae walking on a white surface, reflected on the surface.

Black Soldier Flies are beneficial insects that greatly speed up the composting of biomatter. Their larvae are fed to pets and livestock for protein and calcium.

A person's open hand holding two small black soil-dwelling insects.

A pair of BSF larvae in their final stage before starting their transformation to flies

Did you know?

Chickens love them! Many commercial chicken feeds use BSFs to provide a high-protein diet for egg laying. Also, homesteaders and backyard chicken owners can farm them to convert food waste and animal manure into free food for their birds.

Cartoon illustration of a duck with a pink comb on its head.
BSF larvae on a banana peel

BSF larvae eating household waste

BSFs often appear in compost bins and cause confusion to homeowners who wonder why they are suddenly growing “maggots.” Rest assured, they are not dirty or a pest and the frass (droppings) they leave behind is compost gold!

Black and white illustration of a leafless tree inside a pentagon shape with a black background.