How to Make Flake Soil for Beetles & Isopods – A Complete Guide

How to Make Flake Soil for Beetles & Isopods – A Complete Guide

Flake Soil: Easy Nutrition for Isopods & Beetle Larvae

Flake soil is fermented hardwood material that’s pre-broken down—making it a clean, reliable food source for isopods and a premium substrate for many beetle larvae. It boosts growth, breeding, and overall health without turning your enclosure swampy when used correctly.

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Quick answer at a glance

  • What it is: Pre-decomposed hardwood substrate that animals can eat.
  • Best for: Isopods (as a mix or pocket) and beetle larvae (stag, flower, rhino) as a primary or layered medium.
  • How much: Isopods 10–25% mixed in or small pockets; beetle larvae 60–100% packed, sometimes layered with decayed wood.
  • Moisture: Evenly moist—never wet or anaerobic. Let surfaces dry slightly between waterings.

How to use it (by setup)

Isopods (most species)

  • Base: Use a balanced substrate like Tropical Soil.
  • Mix: Blend in 10–25% Flake Soil through the top 3–5 cm, or bury a few fist-sized “pockets” under bark hides.
  • Moisture: Keep a moist side that just holds shape with a squeeze; leave the rest moderate/dry depending on species.
  • Refresh: Top up pockets every 4–8 weeks (or when you notice heavy grazing).

Arid-leaning isopods

  • Keep the main substrate drier; offer small covered pockets of Flake Soil so they can snack without raising enclosure humidity.

Beetle larvae (stag / flower / rhino)

  • Fill: Use Flake Soil as 60–100% of the rearing bin. Lightly compress in layers so it’s firm but airy.
  • Boost: Add chunks/shavings of well-decayed hardwood if you have them.
  • Moisture: Even, cake-crumb texture—never soupy or compacted. If water beads or you smell “sour,” air it out.
  • Maintenance: Spot-refresh high-frass zones; partial substrate changes every 1–3 months depending on species and feeding rate.

Feeding pairings

  • Daily driver: Leaf litter + decayed wood for isopods; flake soil itself feeds larvae.
  • Clean supplement (sparingly): A pinch of Pill Diet (Small) 1–2× per week to round out micronutrients for isopods.
  • Portion control: Offer amounts that disappear within 24 hours—no burying food into the substrate.

Moisture & airflow

  • Avoid “always wet”: Let the surface dry slightly between waterings; keep good ventilation.
  • Squeeze test: Substrate should hold a clump then break apart—no pooling.
  • Stale smell? Fluff and air the substrate; reduce moisture and increase airflow.

Storage & prep

  • Store bagged flake soil cool and dry; crack the bag and let it breathe for 24–48 hours before first use.
  • Never bake or microwave (you’ll damage the nutrition and beneficial microbes).
  • If very dry from storage, rehydrate gradually with dechlorinated water and mix thoroughly.

Troubleshooting

  • Mould bloom? It’s usually from over-moisture or heavy feeding. Dry the top, increase airflow, and reduce portions.
  • Fungus gnats? Let the top 1–2 cm dry, spot-refresh, and follow our gnat guide steps (dry cap + smaller feeds).
  • Animals ignoring it? Many species nibble at night; try a small pocket under a hide and give it 1–2 weeks.

Shop the gear in this guide

Questions about ratios for a specific species? Pop into our Discord or message @incoginverts on Instagram—happy to help dial it in.

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