Fruit flies part 6: Troubleshooting common problems

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

32oz Flightless Fruit Fly Culture

Wichita, Kansas, 672**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$12

32oz Flightless Fruit Fly Culture.
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Fruit Fly Culture Flightless Melongaster 6 Pack Reptile And Dart Frog Food LIVE

Dover, Pennsylvania, 173**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$57

6 pack Melongaster Flightless Fruit Flies
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 accurately
Regular fruit flies should be... more

Fruit Flies Flightless Drosophila Hydei

Lehigh Acres, Florida, 339**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$20

Flightless fruit fly feeders for your chameleons, spiders, fly trap plants etc??
32oz cup that produces for multiple weeks
We only ship priority mail, usually 2-3 days
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Flightless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Hydei)

Ogden, Utah, 844**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15

Flightless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Hydei). Condition is New. These flightless fruit fly cultures come in a 32oz cup with a ventilated lid, excelsior wool and culture mix. It will come with 100 adult flys that will already be laying new generations upon arrival. For best practices, do not use flys until 5 days after first generation hatches to ensure new generation. These cultures will last you several weeks. Do not be alarmed if flies do not make it in transportation. They only live up to ... more

Fruit Fly Culture Kit - Makes 6 cultures - with or without flies (retail)

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$24

This kit contains the following items: 
6 - 32oz deli cups and waffle lids
6 - bags of media
6 - portions of excelsior
6 - labels for identification
1 - choice of starter kit with flies of your choice
 
If you choose the "no fly" option, you get quantity 8 of everything
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