Fruit fly cultures - vinegar or no?

[RevWillie]

I have made fruit fly cultures for probably 40 years and whenever I start back up after a long hiatus, I read up on how others are making their cultures. When I got back into it a couple of years ago I read up on everything and started using a dash of vinegar in the water when making the culture. I may have even gotten carried away and used several dashes...

So, do you guys add vinegar when making fruit fly cultures? Or do you just use mix + water + yeast?

 

[Bug Trader]

Half water hal vinegar, its a mold deterent. There are many medias and FF culturing has advanced greatly just in the 15 yrs Ive cultured them. Always something new to try.

 

[Malakyoma]

I mix oats and fruit juice as the base media, and then use honey as a deterent. I havent had mold in any of my cultures in the last 2 months. I used to use vinegar, but it didn't help the strong smell any and once was strong enough to knock out the flies lol. May have gone overboard on that one.

 

[twolfe]

When I mix my own media, I do use vinegar. I've found that adding lots of flies and some vinegar does prevent mold. I also add oats and a little orange juice or banana. I recently tried Repashy based on a conversation with Bug Trader (I think), and I'm loving that. It's so quick, too, and my flies are huge.

 

[SilentDeviL]

When I mix my own media, I do use vinegar. I've found that adding lots of flies and some vinegar does prevent mold. I also add oats and a little orange juice or banana. I recently tried Repashy based on a conversation with Bug Trader (I think), and I'm loving that. It's so quick, too, and my flies are huge.

Repashy is the way to go ... been using it for over a year . One of the store I buy stuff got Josy Frog Media I'm trying them out .. the Price is 50% cheaper then Repashy for then same size bag.... I also buy the 64Oz bag witch Repashy sell for $34 cnd per bag ... But Josy frog is $16.99 for the same size 64oz bag lol ... trying them out for 1 mth no mold seems fine .

 

[agent A]

I use a shredded apple, vinegar, oats and OJ and it works sufficiently

 

[Bug Trader]

I pay 25.99 for the 128oz bag, thats 8lbs and they make roughly 150 ff cultures so its well worth it. Repashy is without a doubt the best ready made marketed ff media.

As for the vinegar there are many other mold inhibitors such as Calcium proprionate, honey and methyl paraben and even cinnamin. They key is using an ingredient that compliments the smell of your media so they are more tolerable.

 

[SilentDeviL]

I pay 25.99 for the 128oz bag, thats 8lbs and they make roughly 150 ff cultures so its well worth it. Repashy is without a doubt the best ready made marketed ff media.

As for the vinegar there are many other mold inhibitors such as Calcium proprionate, honey and methyl paraben and even cinnamin. They key is using an ingredient that compliments the smell of your media so they are more tolerable.

OMG 128OZ bag for

$25.99....... 64Oz Bag already $34.99 in Canada.. with out shipping..

 

[agent A]

I pay 25.99 for the 128oz bag, thats 8lbs and they make roughly 150 ff cultures so its well worth it. Repashy is without a doubt the best ready made marketed ff media.As for the vinegar there are many other mold inhibitors such as Calcium proprionate, honey and methyl paraben and even cinnamin. They key is using an ingredient that compliments the smell of your media so they are more tolerable.

Does it have beta carotene in it?

 

[Bug Trader]

Its the most nutrient rich complete diet out there..........

INGREDIENTS: Potato Granules, Brewers Dried Yeast, Fructose, Nixtamal, Dried Nopal, Dried Kelp, Alfalfa Leaf, Cinnamon, Dried Krill, RoseHips, Calendula Flower, Marigold Flower Extract, Phaffia Rhodozyma Yeast, Paprika Extract, Spirulina Algae, Turmeric, Salt, Potassium Citrate, Magnesium Gluconate, Canthaxanthin, Malic Acid, Guar Gum, Calcium Propionate, Methylparaben and Potassium Sorbate (as mold inhibitors), Lecithin, Rosemary Extract and Mixed Tocopherols (as preservatives), Vitamins (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Choline Chloride, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Beta Carotene, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement).

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Crude Protein min. 5%, Crude Fat min. 0.2%, Crude Fat max. 0.6%, Crude Fiber max. 1%, Moisture max. 8%, Ash max. 10%, Calcium min. 0.5%, Calcium max. 1%, Phosphorus min. 0.2%.

 

[patrickfraser]

It's nice they list all the ingredients it contains, but I know that the first ingredient listed accounts for the most prevalent ingredient. It's basically potato flakes probably 90-95% and a dash of "the good stuff". I just use 1/4 cup instant potatoes, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of brewers yeast (oops...I forgot the sprinkle of regular yeast on top of the medium before I add excelsior) :blush: .

Granted the brewers yeast is $22-$25, but my flies do so much better with it. This is what I use and the breakdown of what's in it.

 

[RevWillie]

Wow - tons of info here, thanks!

I had forgotten that the vinegar was a mold inhibitor - I didn't use any in the culture I made this morning so it will be interesting to see if it molds like crazy or not.

Repashy: which one and where do I buy it?? I looked at their website and it looks like they have several products for sale, not sure which one to use for fruit flies.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I use Calcium proprionate in mine and vinegar, tried many times to lose the vinegar, if you go to the Bugatorium post I have the formula there for the mix, without the vinegar the flies are not happy, with it they all smile! Trust me, when u see the blooms in my cultures you will want to use vinegar, ask Rich, he buys fruit flies from me and when I stopped a couple months ago with the vinegar, I ran out of extra, now all is well. Also check out my site for brewers yeast and cal proprionate, I sell it the least expensive as I have found at a few places, Josh's being one of them, also my water crystals are cheaper too. ps, your right about the list of ingredients, it is that way on any label.

 

[Rick]

I just buy the commercial stuff which takes the guesswork out of it. A pinch of yeast and some water and done.

 

[twolfe]

Wow - tons of info here, thanks!

I had forgotten that the vinegar was a mold inhibitor - I didn't use any in the culture I made this morning so it will be interesting to see if it molds like crazy or not.

Repashy: which one and where do I buy it?? I looked at their website and it looks like they have several products for sale, not sure which one to use for fruit flies.

It's Repashy SuperFly Fruit Fly Media. I purchased mine from lllreptile. But I didn't really compare pricing. I was buying some heat packs and decided to try it since adding additonal items wasn't increasing the shipping costs. I've used other commerical mixes. Josh Frogs media is nice, too. The thing I like about Repashy is that you only add water.

 

[Mvalenz]

Instant potatoes+water+vinegar+sugar+yeast. Works great every time.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

That's a great price on the Repashy SuperFly! I've been getting the Joshsfrog mix, 3lbs(basically a gallon) for $15.99 and I love it, it's a just add water mix but I add a teaspoon of vinegar and a splash of honey which has given me virtually mold free booming cultures from the same single ff culture I bought over 2 years ago with out a hitch, but I would switch to the Repashy SuperFly to save money if Michael says it's good as well, once he gives me his source that is. ^_^

So yes vinegar (and honey) are good to add to any culture mix, homemade or store bought. Both inhibit mold and help with healthy ff growth/reproduction.