I just discovered maggots in my compost in Eugene, OR. I googled compost maggots and discovered the maggots are black soldier fly larva. I cover the compost pit with black plastic and add kitchen waste, garden cleanings, and coffee grounds. These creatures are devouring waste at an astonishing rate.

Today it is a bit cooler and I dumped ten pounds of coffee waste on what looks to be several cups of squirming larva. I looked a few hours later and they were either dead or dormant. Could the coffee have poisoned the larva?

How soon will they pupate? Do I need to do anything to encourage the BSF to lay eggs in the same compost pit? I have two pits, one I am building while the other is cooking? Will these BSF larva increase the speed of composting?

Thanks for any information on encouraging these larva for a garden compost project.

Bob k