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Insect Frass Fertilizer

Insect Frass Fertilizer

$8.00 CAD
$8.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Size

Back in stock, new and improved: Now a Granulate, not a Powder 

As far as unusual and innovative products go, this could be the next big thing. Introducing Fly-Tech, an exciting new organic fertilizer product with impressive marks for effectiveness and sustainability. OMRI listed (US) and allowed under the Canadian National Organic Standard.

Particularly well suited for seed starting, cuttings, and early plant growth, Fly-Tech excels in containers, hanging baskets, and raised beds. Seedling love it!

It can also be applied to gardens and lawns. When mixed with water, the resulting liquid can be used as a root drench, a foliar spray, and in hydroponics. Contains 3-1-3 NPK plus a bit of added gypsum for calcium and sulfur, and a natural range of micronutrients and amino acids, some plant-available chitin, and natural beneficial microbes.

Fly-Tech is the dried, ground, and granularized manure (“frass”) of Black Soldier Fly larvae (Hermetia illucens), raised at an enclosed facility in Alberta. Fly-Tech does not contain any actual flies or larvae – just their waste products. The frass is easy to handle, appearing as a dry, dark brown granulate with a pleasant smell. It will keep for at least one year.

The back story is as fascinating as it is satisfying. Insects, especially insect larvae, are being discovered by animal feed manufacturers for their high protein and fat content. The processed larvae feed poultry, wild and pet birds, pets, reptiles, and fish, providing a natural alternative to unsustainable or resource-intensive ingredients like fishmeal, fish oil, soybean meal, palm kernel oil and coconut oil.

As the larvae go through their growth stages, both their “frass” or manure and the exoskeletons they shed, make an excellent natural fertilizer product. They are voracious eaters and prolific metabolizers. The German saying, “even small livestock produces manure”, never rang more true… And here’s the best part: The larvae are fed an exclusive diet of pre-consumer food waste (think stale bread, mushy strawberries, and wilted lettuce), closing the waste-to-food loop!

The Black Soldier Fly is a harmless, short-lived species that is at home around the world. It is very different from the common housefly and is not a pest, nor a vector for disease. The adult flies do not eat, sting or bite. All they do is mate and reproduce. The females lay eggs that hatch into larvae which naturally feed on decaying organic matter.

Fly-Tech was sustainably produced in Calgary, AB by Enterra Feed, and is distributed by Bio Crop Solutions.

Application

Generally, apply 5 lbs per 100 sq ft twice in the growing season. Two pounds cover an 8’x4’ raised bed.

One pinch per seedling, one teaspoon per small container.

In container mixes and hanging baskets, use 3 tbsp per gallon of soil.

To topdress monthly, 1 tbsp per gallon of soil is enough.

To make a root drench or foliar spray, mix 1-2 tsp into one gallon of water. Apply monthly to weekly. Strain the liquid before spraying.

Use/spray within two hours of mixing; discard leftover liquid as a root drench or refrigerate for one week max.

Testimonials

Even David Suzuki approves! (read it here)

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FAQ

Shipping & Local Pick Up

FLAT RATE SHIPPING + LOCAL PICK UP

Flat Rate Shipping across Canada with either Canada Post, Purolator or UPS

Purchase ($) Shipping ($)
<55 15
55-74 20
75-124 25
125-199 30
200-399 40
400-699 55
700+ 70

 

LOCAL PICK UP, VICTORIA BC

If you prefer to pick up your order in Victoria, BC, just choose the ‘Pick Up’ option during checkout.

Online order pickups are now at Gardener’s Kit at 169 Langford Street — very close to my old shop in Vic West!

You will receive a pick up confirmation when your order is ready. Click Here for driving directions + Gardener's Kit store hours

Ideally, please allow one business day for order processing. If you need something the same day, or you’d like to meet and chat, give me a quick call or send a text before coming over (250-216-3733) and I will try my best to be ready for you.

What’s the difference between EM and Activated EM? Can I keep re-activating my Activated EM?

I wish! Sadly EM is a bit different from yogurt or sourdough making. The first activation will turn out very closely similar to the mother culture, but with subsequent activations the intricate balance of microbe species and numbers will start to shift, and the effectiveness will decrease. I only ever use fresh mother culture when activating.

EM mother culture can be used the same way as Activated EM, but for economic reasons most people buy it to make their own activation. If you’re new to gardening with EM and you just want to try it out, or if you don’t want to spend the time and effort of activating, then go for the already activated product.

What’s the difference between EM/AEM and Compost Tea?

While EM, AEM, and Compost Tea are made differently, they have similar benefits and compliment each other beautifully. For a comparative summary of these products, see the March 2011 Newsletter.

Can I combine products for easy, all-in-one application?

Yes, almost all products are compatible. The only exception is with fish and sea minerals, which are better applied separately. Keep in mind that dilution rates are different for each product, and try to apply right away after mixing.

Do I need a sprayer?

For soil and compost application, or treating small lawns, a watering can is just fine. For application to foliage, finer droplets are advantageous. You can use a spray bottle, a hose-end sprayer, or a hand-held or backpack sprayer. The wand of a sprayer will help greatly with getting to the underside of leaves. Whatever container you use, be sure it never held any pesticides or liquid synthetic fertilizer.

How do I store the products, and how long do they keep?

Store all products at a cool room temperature, with the lid on tight, and out of direct light. Store pure and undiluted – once products are mixed or diluted with water, they go off quickly. EM mother culture keeps up to two years, activated EM six months or longer. Mycorrhizal fungi, liquid fish, liquid kelp, and sea minerals are good for about a year. Humic acids and molasses can be stored almost indefinitely.

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