Insect Frass 101: The Aussie Gardener’s Secret Weapon 🌱

“Another great product from the Dr.Greenthumbs team.” – Jason Smith
“…noticed a massive decrease in gnat numbers! Happy days!” – Josh Van Limbeek 

What Exactly Is Insect Frass?

Insect frass is the nutrient-rich castings of black soldier fly larvae. Pack it full of beneficial microbes, a naturally high chitin content and a balanced N-P-K profile, and you’ve got an organic powerhouse that out-classes ordinary compost or worm castings for microbial diversity and plant-available nutrition. 

Why Gardeners Swear By Frass

  • Explosive microbial life – up to 20 × more biology than worm castings means faster nutrient cycling and healthier soil.

  • Chitin triggers plant immunity – roots detect chitin fragments and switch on natural defence pathways against pests and pathogens.

  • Improved soil structure & water-holding – frass feeds the fungi and bacteria that create fluffy, well-aggregated soil.

  • Eco-friendly & odour-free – produced from food-waste-fed larvae, it turns trash into garden treasure.

Pro Tip: Pair frass with a quality living-soil mix like TurboDirt for an instant biology boost.

How to Use Dr Greenthumbs Insect Frass

Setting

Rate

Frequency

Potted plants

1–2 Tbsp over the surface, water in

Every 4-6 weeks

Garden beds

50–100 g / m², mix into top 5 cm

Each season

Fruiting trees

250–500 g around drip line

Spring & Autumn

Potting mixes / hydro media

15–30 g per 30 L

At pot-up

(1 heaped Tablespoon ≈ 3-4 g) 

Frass vs Worm Castings: The Quick Low-Down


Insect Frass

Worm Castings

Microbial density

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐

Chitin content

High

Nil

Application rate

Low (economical)

Moderate

Odour

Neutral

Earthy

Pest-control boost

Yes

Minimal

Step-by-Step Application

  1. Top-dress & water – Sprinkle the recommended rate and water immediately to activate microbes.

  2. Brew a frass tea – Soak 1 cup of frass in 10 L of de-chlorinated water for 24 h, then drench soil or foliar-spray.

  3. Charge your compost – Add a handful per 20 L of compost to accelerate decomposition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is insect frass safe for edibles?

Absolutely. It’s an organic input and leaves no harmful residues.

Q. Will frass attract pests?

No. In fact, the chitin helps plants deter sap-sucking insects.

Q. Can I overdo it?

It’s pretty forgiving, but stick to the rates above—less is more thanks to the dense biology.

Ready to Super-Charge Your Soil?

Grab a bag of Dr Greenthumbs Insect Frass (High Calcium & Chitin) today and see the difference for yourself. Your tomatoes, chilies and citrus will thank you!

Happy growing from the team at Dr Greenthumbs—proudly helping Aussie gardeners cultivate thriving, chemical-free gardens since 2012.

About the Author

Scott Cheney - Dr Greenthumbs
Scott Cheney is the Director and Founder of Dr Greenthumbs, with over a decade of hands-on experience in organic gardening. Growing up in rural NSW, Scott’s passion for unusual plants – from cacti to entheogens – evolved into a full-blown commitment to chemical-free gardening when he bought his first property in Wollongong. For the past 8 years running Dr Greenthumbs, Scott has developed unique, first-to-market products like TurboDirt Water Only soil and 100% dry amendment fertiliser blends. When he’s not testing new mixes, you’ll find him swapping gardening tips like your local mate, not giving the hard sell.