Questions about Syntects,
answered.

Calci Worms are the common name for live black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) — the larvae of Hermetia illucens. They are also sometimes called Phoenix Worms or CalciWorms. They are a nutritious live insect feed used for chickens, reptiles, wild birds and other animals.

At Syntects, every Calci Worm is raised on our own British farm in Yoxall, Staffordshire — never imported.

Live Calci Worms are exceptionally rich in calcium — approximately 37 times more calcium than dried mealworms. On a dry weight basis they contain roughly 42% protein and 29% fat. They are also high in essential amino acids, beneficial fats, and natural moisture that supports hydration.

Their calcium content makes them particularly valuable for laying hens (stronger eggshells), reptiles (bone health) and wild birds (especially during breeding season).

No — they are completely different insects. Calci Worms are the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). Mealworms are the larvae of the darkling beetle (Tenebrio molitor). The key differences:

• Calci Worms have approximately 37× more calcium than mealworms
• Dried mealworms are illegal to feed to poultry in the UK — live Calci Worms are DEFRA compliant
• Calci Worms have a better calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for bone and eggshell health

Waxworms are the larvae of the wax moth and are substantially higher in fat and lower in protein than Calci Worms. They are often used as an occasional treat but are not nutritionally balanced for regular feeding. Calci Worms are nutritionally far superior — higher calcium, better protein profile, and suitable for regular feeding as part of a balanced diet.

Stored correctly, your Calci Worms will stay lively for 7–10 days after arrival. They are most active in the first few days.

How to store them: Keep cool (10–15°C) in a ventilated container — a garage, shed or cool kitchen shelf works well. Never refrigerate or freeze them. Never seal them in an airtight container. The easy-pour tube they arrive in is designed for ventilation — just keep the lid slightly ajar or use the ventilation tab.

Yes, completely. Live BSFL do not bite, sting or carry disease. They are safe to handle directly. We recommend washing your hands before and after, as you would with any animal feed product.

Calci Worms can be fed regularly, but should be given as a supplement alongside — not a replacement for — a complete, balanced diet. For chickens, a small handful 3–5 times per week is ideal. For reptiles and other pets, consult your vet for species-specific guidance, as nutritional requirements vary widely.

Our Calci Worms are late-instar larvae, typically ranging from 14–20mm in length. They are plump, active and a good size for chickens to forage for naturally. For smaller animals such as baby reptiles, smaller sizes may be more appropriate — contact us to discuss your specific needs.

The BSF life cycle has four stages: egg → larva → pupa → adult fly. The larval stage (what we sell as Calci Worms) lasts approximately 14–18 days under optimal conditions. After harvesting, the remaining larvae are allowed to pupate and the adults mate and lay eggs to continue the colony. Our colony is entirely self-sustaining — no external stock is brought in.

Yes — BSF larvae are among nature’s most efficient composters, processing organic material rapidly and producing frass (which is essentially what Flytiliser is). However, home BSF composting requires maintaining specific temperature and humidity conditions to keep the colony active. We’d recommend using our Calci Worms as animal feed and buying Flytiliser separately rather than trying to extract the frass yourself.

Yes — live Calci Worms are fully DEFRA compliant and legal to feed to poultry in the UK. This is one of the most important things a chicken keeper should know.

Dried insects — including dried mealworms, dried Calci Worms, and any other dried insect feed — are not legal to feed to poultry under UK animal feed regulations (they fall under the category of processed animal protein). Live insects are specifically exempt from this restriction. If you have been feeding dried mealworms to your hens, switching to live Calci Worms is both the nutritional upgrade and the legally correct choice.

A small handful per hen, 3–5 times a week is a good guide for most flocks. Calci Worms should complement your hens’ regular layers’ pellets or mash — not replace them. One 500g tube typically lasts a week for a flock of around 6 hens fed every other day.

As a quick guide by flock size: 1–3 hens → 1 tube monthly; 4–6 hens → 1 tube fortnightly; 7–10 hens → 1–2 tubes weekly.

Some hens are cautious the first time. This is normal — backyard chickens that haven’t encountered live insects before can take a day or two to work out what they are. Try introducing them gradually: scatter a small handful on the ground and walk away. Most hens will investigate once they see the movement. After the first taste, they typically run to you when they hear the tube.

Many of our customers report visible improvements in eggshell quality within a few weeks of regular Calci Worm feeding. The high calcium content of live BSFL directly supports eggshell formation — soft-shell eggs and thin shells are often a sign of insufficient dietary calcium. That said, eggshell quality is also affected by age, breed, stress and overall diet, so Calci Worms work best as part of a well-rounded feeding regime.

Yes — live Calci Worms are one of the most effective tools for taming nervous hens or integrating new birds. Hand-feeding a few worms daily quickly builds positive association between you and the treat. Many keepers use them to train hens to come when called, to handle difficult birds, or to introduce new flock members. The high palatability (hens find them irresistible) makes them more effective than dry treats for training purposes.

Flytiliser is our brand of insect frass fertiliser — a natural by-product of our black soldier fly farm. As our larvae process UK surplus food, they produce frass (castings and shed exoskeletons) that is exceptionally rich in plant-available nutrients.

Flytiliser contains: NPK 3-1-2 (slow-release nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), chitin (a natural plant immune stimulant), and a diverse community of beneficial soil microorganisms. No synthetic inputs. No additives. Made entirely from BSF frass.

Application rates by use:

• Raised beds and borders: 50–100g per m², raked in lightly
• Containers and pots: 1–2 teaspoons per litre of compost, mixed in before planting
• Houseplants: ½ teaspoon top-dressed monthly during growing season
• Lawns: 30–50g per m², scattered and watered in

Repeat every 4–6 weeks during the growing season (March–October). One 500g bag treats approximately 5–10m².

Chitin is a natural biopolymer found in insect exoskeletons. When applied to soil, plants detect it as a signal that insects are present and activate their natural defence systems in response — thickening cell walls, producing protective compounds and stimulating beneficial soil fungi. This makes plants more disease-resistant without any chemical input.

Chitin is found only in insect-derived and crustacean-derived products. It is one of the key reasons insect frass outperforms conventional organic fertilisers like compost or worm castings.

Most insect frass fertilisers on the UK market — including Ecothrive Charge — are made from beetle or mealworm frass. A peer-reviewed study in Scientific Reports (2022) found that black soldier fly frass has significantly higher nitrogen and potassium than frass from other insect species — up to 130% more nitrogen and 193% more potassium.

Flytiliser is made from BSF frass, giving it a genuinely superior NPK profile compared to beetle and mealworm alternatives. It is also priced at £8.50 per 500g — substantially lower than most equivalents.

Yes on both counts. Flytiliser is gentle enough for even the most sensitive plants and will not burn roots at recommended rates. It contains no synthetic chemicals, pesticides or additives.

As a dried insect by-product, it is safe to handle and poses no risk to children or pets when used as directed. If ingested accidentally in small amounts it is not harmful, though we’d recommend storing it out of reach as you would any garden product.

Yes — Flytiliser works well alongside other organic inputs and liquid feeds. It is a slow-release background feed that builds soil biology over time. Many growers use it as a base soil amendment and add a liquid feed during peak fruiting or flowering periods for additional short-term boost. It is compatible with compost, worm castings, seaweed extracts and most other organic inputs.

Choose your frequency — weekly, fortnightly or monthly — and we dispatch a fresh 500g tube of live Calci Worms on your chosen schedule. Orders are packed and dispatched from our Staffordshire farm the same week. You manage your subscription through your customer account on our website.

Subscriptions start from £10 per delivery. Free delivery is included.

Yes — completely. You can pause your subscription, skip an individual delivery, change your frequency or cancel at any time through your account. There is no notice period and no cancellation fee. We designed the subscription to work around your life — going on holiday, changing flock size, whatever the reason, you are in control.

Yes — we sell one-off tubes at £14 each. If you’d like to try them before committing to a subscription, a single tube is the best starting point. You can order a one-off from our Calci Worms page or directly from the shop.

Flytiliser is currently available as a one-off purchase at £8.50 per 500g bag. We are working on adding subscription options for Flytiliser — if you’d like to be notified when that’s available, drop us an email at hello@syntects.co.uk.

We occasionally run promotional codes and bundle offers — the best way to hear about these is to subscribe to our email list. For trade and wholesale enquiries involving larger volumes, please visit our trade page or email hello@syntects.co.uk directly.

Orders are packed and dispatched from our Staffordshire farm the same week. Standard delivery is 1–2 business days. We dispatch live larvae in ventilated packaging to ensure they arrive active. You’ll receive a dispatch notification when your order leaves us.

Yes — we deliver to mainland UK addresses. For remote areas including the Scottish Highlands, islands and Northern Ireland, delivery times may be slightly longer. If you are unsure whether we can deliver to your address, email us at hello@syntects.co.uk before ordering.

Free delivery on all orders over £20. For orders under £20, a standard delivery charge applies — the exact amount is shown at checkout before you complete your order.

This is rare — we dispatch fresh, active larvae with every order. If your larvae arrive inactive, try moving them to a slightly warmer spot (15–20°C) for 15–20 minutes — they sometimes go into a torpor during transit in cold weather and revive quickly once warm.

If a significant proportion have arrived dead, please email us at hello@syntects.co.uk with a photo and your order number. We will sort it out.

Yes — live Calci Worms are popular with a wide range of insectivorous reptiles including bearded dragons, leopard geckos, crested geckos and chameleons. Their high calcium content and excellent calcium-to-phosphorus ratio makes them particularly valuable for reptiles, which are prone to metabolic bone disease from calcium deficiency. They can be fed without dusting as they are naturally calcium-rich. Feed as part of a varied diet alongside other appropriate feeders.

Yes — live Calci Worms are enjoyed by many garden bird species, particularly robins, blackbirds, starlings and thrushes. They are especially valuable during spring breeding season and autumn moult when birds need extra protein and calcium. Offer them in a shallow dish or purpose-made live food feeder on your bird table. Note that live BSF larvae move slowly and are easy for birds to catch.

Yes — Calci Worms are a good supplementary food for hedgehogs. Unlike mealworms (which are high in phosphorus and can cause bone disease in hedgehogs when fed in large amounts), Calci Worms have a better mineral balance. Feed in moderation as a supplement rather than a main food source, and always provide fresh water alongside.

Yes — hamsters can eat Calci Worms in small amounts as a protein-rich treat. They should be fed sparingly alongside a balanced hamster diet. A couple of larvae once or twice a week is a reasonable supplement for most hamsters.

Live BSFL are used in aquaculture and are readily accepted by many fish species, including koi, goldfish, cichlids and predatory fish. They are a natural prey item for many species and provide excellent nutrition. Feed as a supplement to your usual fish diet rather than as a replacement.

We are based in Yoxall, Staffordshire, DE13 — a small market town in the heart of the English countryside. Our BSF grow rooms are on site. Every product we sell is raised and dispatched from this one location. We do not import stock from abroad and do not use third-party rearing facilities.

Our larvae are raised on a diet of UK surplus food and spent grain — organic material that would otherwise go to landfill or anaerobic digestion. We source our substrate from UK food producers. This is what makes our operation genuinely circular: we take food waste and convert it into two valuable products (live Calci Worms and Flytiliser) with nothing going to waste.

Black soldier fly farming uses approximately 99% less land and 80% less water than conventional livestock farming. Our larvae produce no meaningful greenhouse gas emissions during their growth phase. They require no antibiotics, no growth hormones and no pesticides.

Compared to imported insect products, our British-farmed larvae eliminate the carbon footprint of long-distance shipping. And because our substrate is food waste rather than purpose-grown crops, we add no additional agricultural land pressure to the supply chain.

We do not offer public walk-in visits to the grow rooms (biosecurity and operational reasons). However, we occasionally host visits for trade buyers, researchers and journalists who want to see the operation first-hand. If you’d like to arrange a visit, please email hello@syntects.co.uk and we’ll see what we can arrange.