Your Food Waste & System

Daily food waste (lbs per day)

Waste type

Avg temperature (°F — optimal 75–95°F)

Harvest larvae for

Larvae Needed

—

active larvae in bin

Waste Eliminated

—

% reduction in 10–14 days

Protein Harvest

—

lbs of larvae per week

Frass Produced

—

lbs of fertilizer per week

Bin Size

—

sq ft minimum

Chickens Fed

—

hens supplemented (10% of diet)

System tip:

How the BSF Calculator Works

Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) are one of the most efficient composting organisms on Earth. Here's the science behind the numbers:

Processing rate: 10,000 mature BSFL consume approximately 4 lbs of food waste per day under ideal conditions (80–90°F).
Waste reduction: BSFL reduce organic waste by 50–75% depending on waste type — wet/fatty waste gets the best reduction.
Protein content: Harvested larvae are 40–45% crude protein and 25–35% fat on a dry matter basis — superior to soybeans.
Frass: The remaining material (frass) is an excellent nitrogen-rich fertilizer, with NPK around 3-3-2.
Temperature matters: Below 65°F, larvae become sluggish and eat little. Above 95°F, mortality increases. 75–90°F is the sweet spot.
Chickens: Larvae should make up no more than 30% of a chicken's diet — they're calorie-dense. Use as a supplement, not a sole feed.