Best Materials for Black Soldier Fly Composting
What can you feed black soldier fly larvae? Learn which food scraps they process fastest.
Best Food Sources for BSF Larvae
Black soldier fly larvae are voracious eaters and can process almost any organic waste. Here are my top choices:
Fruit Scraps (Overripe)
Overripe bananas, melon rinds, apple cores — the sweeter and softer, the faster larvae consume them.
Veggie Trimmings
Cabbage leaves, carrot tops, potato peels. Chop into small pieces for easier consumption.
Meat and Fish Waste
BSF larvae handle meat better than most composting methods — they produce no odor even with protein-rich waste.
Dairy Products
Cheese rinds, yogurt cups. Larvae process these quickly without creating foul smells.
Protein-Rich Materials
- Cooked grains and pasta — excellent larval food source
- Bread and baked goods (moldy is fine)
- Fish scraps and shellfish waste
Materials to Avoid
- Oily or greasy foods in excess — can create anaerobic pockets
- Pet waste (dog/cat) — contains pathogens not killed by BSF processing
- Diseased plant material — may harbor competing fungi
Feeding Rate Guidelines
A healthy colony of 1,000 larvae can consume approximately 1 pound of food waste per day. Start with smaller amounts and increase as the colony grows.