I went ahead after not hearing from anyone last night and added a few more once it cooled some and they were fine, but of course there are still a bunch of dead ones at the bottom now. I think it was just too hot. I keep the cultures I am making on a sheet of mite paper, and the ones I bought in a box that I lined with mite paper as well (not together) and none touching. Because of space issues I do have to keep the springtail container near them also on the mite paper, but again not touching.

I definitely have seen mites on the lids of the store-bought cultures, how bad is that? Is it just a nuisance, or can it cause a problem? I am not going to be able to add flies to my current order because I just can't up the shipping to express right now (need to reign in some spending) and I don't want to take the chance on regular shipping for them in this heat. If I HAVE to buy another culture from the store I will, and running out won't be an issue since it's a quick drive to the pet store.

Next time I make a culture I will definitely let it cool down before adding the yeast and finishing them up. I guess I must have just gotten lucky the first two times that the flies didn't drop to the bottom. I do pour them into a cup first and then into either the culture, or for feeding. It's the way I have always done it.