How to Attract Black Soldier Flies

Most flies aren't worth attracting, but for some, the black soldier fly is an exception. Black soldier fly larvae benefit compost piles -- especially grub composting units -- by breaking down waste more quickly than decomposition alone. To obtain grubs for your compost unit, it is necessary to attract egg-laying adults. Black soldier flies are common throughout the U.S. and are not known to bite or transmit diseases.

Things You'll Need

• Corrugated cardboard

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Instructions

• 1

  Establish a compost bin outside in late winter or early spring. Add paper, fruit and vegetable scraps, clean eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags and plant clippings to the compost, but no oil, dairy, meat or fish products. Starting a pile early will make it more attractive to black soldier flies during warmer months, when they start to fly.

• 2

  Cut up corrugated cardboard pieces and stick them in the inside of the compost bin lid with the wavy edge out. This provides a place for female flies to lay eggs. The flies typically won't lay eggs directly into the compost.

• 3

  Place food bait in the compost bin or in a bucket near the compost bin early in April or when warm weather starts. Any rotten organic matter will work, especially fermented corn cobs soaked in water or bread soaked in milk.