Fruit Fly Easy Mix

[bshmerlie]

Anyone who knows anything about me knows I always look for the easy way out. I just don't like fuss. Sorry but its true. Anyways here's what I found. Has anyone tried this stuff? All you do is add a half a cup of hot water. Supposedly everything is already mixed it. Now, I could do that. The idea of mixing potato flakes and brewers yeast and everything else in a blender is just not my cup of tea. I'd probably never clean the blender. Anyways, if this stuff works I think I would actually culture my own. Go figure. I started two cultures today so I'll let you know how it goes. The "just add water" part sounds too good to be true. Is it?

[clownonfire]

Anyone who knows anything about me knows I always look for the easy way out. I just don't like fuss. Sorry but its true. Anyways here's what I found. Has anyone tried this stuff? All you do is add a half a cup of hot water. Supposedly everything is already mixed it. Now, I could do that. The idea of mixing potato flakes and brewers yeast and everything else in a blender is just not my cup of tea. I'd probably never clean the blender. Anyways, if this stuff works I think I would actually culture my own. Go figure. I started two cultures today so I'll let you know how it goes. The "just add water" part sounds too good to be true. Is it?

Cheri, I haven't tried this... But I can give you a very easy recipe that I got from Mathieu Chouteau at Understory Enterprises. I usually prepare a "stash" that can make at least 12 cultures, if not more:

1. 6 very riped bananas
2. Two jars of apple sauce (sweet)
3. 3/4 of vinegar (this will help against the mites)
4. Only if you want: 2 tbps of brewer's yeast (I have done some with and without).

Mix it, and voilÃ*! So far, it has never failed!! Whatever I don't use, I freeze it using ziplocks in "culture portions".

Eric

[bshmerlie]

Eric I do appreciate the recipe...however....unless you're planning on sending me bananas....apple sauce....viniger....and a clean blender once a month I honestly would probably never do it. I like the "just add water" idea. I'll let you know if it works. It takes less than a minute to make and about $2 per culture if you count the product and 50 cents for the cup with the vented lid. I don't need a lot of cultures at this point considering my first one lasted about three weeks.

[DonLisk]

I am going to try my 1st setting up of cultures tomorrow. Should be interesting.

And how come I have so many fliers in my wingless fruit fly cultures anyway?
hehehehe

[clownonfire]

Cheri, I haven't tried this... But I can give you a very easy recipe that I got from Mathieu Chouteau at Understory Enterprises. I usually prepare a "stash" that can make at least 12 cultures, if not more:

1. 6 very riped bananas
2. Two jars of apple sauce (sweet)
3. 3/4 of vinegar (this will help against the mites)
4. Only if you want: 2 tbps of brewer's yeast (I have done some with and without).

Mix it, and voilÃ*! So far, it has never failed!! Whatever I don't use, I freeze it using ziplocks in "culture portions".

Eric

Like Jumper, I do add oatmeal too, for consistency. I just failed giving you the entire recipe.

[Jumper]

I have a simple mix that I have been using for over 2 years. Each one produces for 5 or so weeks and my frogs are healthy. I do not use it for hydei cultures though.

4 cups of potatoe flakes
3 cups oatmeal
2 powdered milk
1 cup powdered sugar

I mix this together (I don't put in blender). When time to make a culture I mix 1/2 cup media with 2/3 cup distilled water. Before it sets up sprinkle one pinch of active dry yeast on top. Done. Then add your excelsior or whatever you use for them to climb on.

[bshmerlie]

Wow David thats a lot of fruit flys. How many frogs do you have? Or are your frogs especially hungry.

[Jumper]

I only have 16 Dart frogs....but I want to make sure I don't run out. 1 row is M. wingless, 1 row is M. flightless and 1 is Hydei. I also give some to those who have frogs and cameleons and live nearby. And my frogs tend to be a little .........chubby.

[Alpha Pro Breeders]

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[DonLisk]

I set up my 1st cultures today and there are a lot of flies in the kitchen now :-)
That was the toughest part, getting the flies into the containers,

I did the instant potato, powdered sugar, dash of yeast and vinegar version without the brewers yeast. Couldn't find it locally at any of the markets. I did find the capsule and the versions for dogs but nothing powdered.

Hopefully they take.