Why Farmers Love Dung Beetles

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Dung beetles work around the clock, delivering a wide range of environmental and farming benefits, naturally.

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Improve soil health
Buried dung adds organic matter to the soil, improving soil structure and supporting healthy biological activity.

 

Recycle valuable nutrients
Instead of nutrients being lost from the soil surface, dung beetles bury them where pasture plants can make better use of them.

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Improve water infiltration and reduce runoff
Tunnels created by dung beetles allow rainfall to soak into the soil more easily, helping to reduce surface runoff and erosion.

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Increase earthworms and beneficial soil microbes
Dung beetle activity creates healthier soil conditions that support a thriving underground ecosystem.

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Help reduce parasite reinfection
By burying dung quickly, dung beetles can interrupt the lifecycle of some livestock parasites and reduce opportunities for reinfection.

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Improve pasture productivity
Healthier soils, improved nutrient cycling and better water movement all contribute to more productive pastures over time.

 

Nature's Underground Workforce

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Dung beetles are remarkably efficient.

• Fresh dung can be buried within 24 to 48 hours when healthy beetle populations are established.

• Environmental and farming benefits typically become noticeable after 4 to 6 years as colonies grow and spread.

• Once established, beetles continue working year after year with little ongoing management.

 

How Dung Beetles Work

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1. Adult beetles locate fresh dung.

2. They dig tunnels beneath the dung pat.

3. Dung is carried underground into nesting chambers.

4. Eggs are laid in brood balls made from the buried dung.

5. Larvae develop safely underground while valuable nutrients are returned to the soil.

6. The tunnels improve soil aeration and water infiltration, leaving healthier soil behind.