In mid June 2021, I’ve begun works to setup a 12′ x 12′ black soldier fly larvarium/insectarium. For digesters, I will be using second hand baking plastic trays stacked up in shelves inside this space. Not the best location but pretty ideal, given the lack of flat land at the farm.
More importantly, this structure needs to be positioned at a place with ample lighting, away from big trees casting shade. Unfortunately, the durian tree next to this BSFL structure is unavoidable.
The BSFL structure was completed around early Oct 2021 after much delay and a number of other issues. Despite labour and time issues, I’m slowly carving up a routine and process in the cultivation and harvesting of black soldier fly larvae in this small roughly 140 sqf space. Unfortunately, I’m only able to work on this alone, one day in a week. That’s awful but that’s how it’s going to be for now. That’s why it’s important to streamline the process and maximise yield for the shortest time possible spent here.
After awhile, I realised that the skylight was letting in too much heat, resulting in the digesters drying out. The online purchased aluminium insect screen was too thin, something that I overlooked and was not surprised it occurred as it was an online purchase anyway without the physical verification of products. I had to end up putting double layers of insect screen and add another outer layer of hard wire mesh to safeguard against rodents. There were also a few other operational issues that were identified but still remain to be properly looked into.
There’s a certain level of technical finesse required to ensure the efficient operation of the BSFL workflow processes and maximised use of the facility. I’m currently unable to do this and I hope I will be able to do soon, when the workers come onboard full time.
