A home-made fly trap thats very effective
Media consistancy problems
When preparing food for the flies, it is easy to make it too hard or too soft. This is an advantage of the Sussex media mentioned in Fruit fly food which is right every time. Too wet media can be countered by inserting twisted or screwed kitchen roll or newspaper - both absorbing some moisture and creating walkways for the flies. This can be done in any case, and can increase fly yields if there is often a shortage of pupation sites.
Mold
Mold is scarcely a problem if mold inhibitors are used, but also moldy cultures are usually lightly populated. The flies (and larvae) prevent mold when present in great enough numbers. Using narrow vials with a small surface area certainly helps. When reusing old vials ensure they are cleaned efficiently - failure to do so will also increase the likelihood of mold. A soak in weak bleach can help, but make sure they are rinsed thoroughly afterwards.
Mites
Can destroy a culture. Some merely feed on the media with the flies, but some are parasitic or egg eating. Mites can be treated with Benzyl benzoate soaked bungs, but it is probably easier to discard all cultures and get clean fly stocks. Mite prevention is probably more appropriate, and flies should be housed away from possible contamination, such as in a larger closeable cabinet.
Flightless flies starting to fly
This does happen. Flies can breed with wild flies through thin vial tops (netting for example), or mix with them during handling. Where possible use foam bungs, and try to keep your flies in a closed space away from potential contamination. Once this happens, you really need to replace your stocks and start again.
Fly explosions
Yes they will get out. I use a vinegar trap; vial of vinegar with a perforated tin foil lid. The flies head straight for it.
Fruit fly cultures for sale
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Dover, Pennsylvania, 173**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$57
6 Pack of 2 different Cultures
Golden Fruit Flies x3
Hydei Fruit Flies x3
Live fruit flies are a great option for feeding small lizards and many species of frogs, especially because of their reproduction cycle. Each culture of flightless fruit flies has a lifespan of about one month, and even after they die, they will continually pupate from eggs laid by the adults in the culture! This will allow you to keep fruit flies for a while, as long as they are taken care of ...
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Chula Vista, California, 919**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$25
One fresh and one producing fruit fly culture
With your choice of melangaster(smaller) or hydei(larger) 32oz size...
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Genoa, Ohio, 434**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$23
This is a listing for one Golden Hydei fruit flies (Drosophila hydei) Culture. They are made to order so you will need to give them a little time to be fed out of.
We use cinnamon to keep smell down, our cultures have little smell! We also use filter floss as a cling on substrate with great success!
Live Arrival Guarentee within 1 hour of delivery. (Shortened due to winter conditions ) You must message within an hour of delivery to cover any DOA, this is non-negotiable due to it ...
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Anaheim, California, 928**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$39
SuperFoods SuperFly 17 6 oz (1 1 Lb) Jar FRUIT FLY CULTURE MEDIA
FRUIT FLY CULTURE MEDIA Our Instant Formula for Drosophila Culture. This Premium Mixture is fortified with Minerals, Trace Elements, Vitamins, and Carotenoids in order to Maximize the Nutritional Value of Fruit Flies when they are Used as Feeders....
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Dover, Pennsylvania, 173**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$30
Live fruit flies are a great option for feeding small lizards and many species of frogs, especially because of their reproduction cycle. Each culture of Flightless Fruit Flies, Wingless Fruit Flies and Turkish Gliders has a lifespan of about one month, and even after they die, they will continually pupate from eggs laid by the adults in the culture! This will allow you to keep fruit flies for a while, as long as they are taken care of accurately. Our Cultures been known to last 3 ...
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