Insect frass is a popular soil fertilizer that’s often used by gardeners today. It is excrement that’s left behind by any type of insect. If you are wondering what is insect frass, it’s a completely natural solution which can be used as fertilizer, and many different sources of this frass can be used for this purpose. Mealworm frass and cricket frass are most commonly used for this purpose and can be obtained from breeders of these insects, who often have an excess of this available. The reason it’s such a useful material is that it offers a good dose of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus for soil. Here we look at how to make insect frass and what benefits it has.
Cricket frass | How to make insect frass | How to use insect frass | Insect frass benefits
Cricket Frass
Cricket frass is one of the most popular options when it comes to insect frass fertilizer. It naturally contains chitin, which triggers a natural defense in your plants. It’s a completely organic solution that is safe for your plants and a sustainable fertilizer option. You’ll find that by using insect frass, you notice increased growth for your vegetables, plants, and trees. It’s a 100% natural solution that has a slow-release natural coating to provide maximum benefits to your plants.
While you will often find cricket frass to be one of the easier to attain options, black soldier fly frass is another good option for your plants. This is a great natural solution that offers plenty of nutrients for your plants. Mealworm frass fertilizer can also be used for the same purpose. You’ll generally find that you purchase this in a very concentrated form. To enjoy all of the benefits of this frass, you’ll only need to use one or two teaspoons of this product.
How To Make Insect Frass
Although you can purchase insect frass from breeders, you may want to also learn how to make it yourself. Depending on the number of bugs you have in your garden, you may be able to just gather the frass from your vegetable or herb garden. This by searching underneath leaves and around the ground. However, you will likely find this isn’t enough for your whole garden. So it’s often easier to purchase in bulk from a garden center or breeder. There is also something that’s described as insect frass tea, but this isn’t something humans will consume. You’ll use the liquid form of the frass to drench your plant’s roots and enjoy all of this frass benefits.
How To Use Insect Frass
It’s generally best to pre-mix your insect frass with your soil or compost. But you can also apply this once your plants are growing. To create the tea, you’ll need to use half a cup of this frass with a gallon of water. Within two hours of mixing the liquid, water the roots of the plants or sprinkle the liquid over your plants and into the soil surrounding them. If you find you make more than you need, you can then store this in a fridge for up to one week. It’s important to keep this mixture out of room temperature or hot environments, as you’ll find it will go rotten very quickly.
Alternatively, it can be purchased as a dried product and mixed throughout your topsoil. Make sure you still use compost where needed. As it doesn’t offer all of the nutrients that are required for plants today.
Insect Frass Benefits
There are many advantages of insecticide fertilizer, which is why it is increasingly used by private gardeners. As we mentioned earlier, frass contains chitin. Which is found in the shells of crustaceans or in the exoskeletons of insects. Chitin offers many benefits to plants and helps to improve their immune system and defend themselves from predators. The plants will build up their cell walls and also naturally release insect toxins to protect themselves. Insect frass offers a good dose of phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium for soil and your crops. You’ll find it to be full of nutrients that plants need to grow big and strong.
Organic nutrients insect frass can be beneficial to your soil’s pH level. It works to make it more acidic, as chitin’s pH level is three. It is a natural solution for your plants. It’s ideal for anyone looking for a sustainable solution without any additives. It won’t be harmful to any water you may have near your garden, such as streams or lakes, as it doesn’t contain any chemical ingredients.
Dry frass
When you purchase dry insect frass, try to find a product that’s pre-sifted. Which can make it easier for your plants to absorb. You’ll be able to use this solution on vegetables, trees, and plants, and it offers growth and yield benefits to almost anything in your garden. The pest resistance of your plants is significantly increased, thanks to the slow-release natural coating. At the same time, they won’t experience any root burn as it’s a 100% natural solution. Many gardeners and farmers find this to be a good solution. As so little is required to experience all of these benefits.
Insect frass is well worth looking into if you are experiencing any issues with your plants or vegetables. You’ll find you can purchase this solution in various gardening stores or with insect breeders, who will often have plenty of excess frass on offer. Ensure you know how to apply frass correctly to your plants before using it for the first time, and you’ll offer your plants and trees a good dose of nutrients with only just a small amount of this sustainable solution.
