Is this an ok set up for breeding fruit flies ?

[Lalapink]

I plan to breed fruit flies here. Do you think my set up will be ok ? Or do I need to change anything ? I fail once. My flies food mixture become a dry dough. And I spray water in the bottle to try to make the dough more moist. But that just kill all the flies in there. So, I want to ask at here this time to make sure my set up is ok. Thanks in advance  

 

[Introvertebrate]

It looks like you may have overcompensated with the moisture.  That medium looks downright watery.

 

[Lalapink]

It looks like you may have overcompensated with the moisture.  That medium looks downright watery.

I can add more oatmeal. How solid should it be ? And does the cardboard substrate looks ok like that ? 

 

[Introvertebrate]

According the reptilesmagazine:

"If you live in a humid area, make the culture about as dry as an uncooked meat ball. It will absorb humidity from the air. If you live where it is very dry, like I do, mix culture to resemble runny applesauce."

 

[Lalapink]

According the reptilesmagazine:

"If you live in a humid area, make the culture about as dry as an uncooked meat ball. It will absorb humidity from the air. If you live where it is very dry, like I do, mix culture to resemble runny applesauce."

How dry your area is ? Mine stay around 55% to 65% indoor humidity. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

What are you using for that medium? I don't think that setup will work. 

- MantisGirl13 

 

[Lalapink]

What are you using for that medium? I don't think that setup will work. 

- MantisGirl13 

I mix banana , sugar and oatmeal. I think that’s a classic recipe for fruit flies 

 

[MantisGirl13]

That recipe would work, yes, but it will get moldy easily and your mixture is too watery. I use potato flakes, banana, water, and yeast. Also, the top to that container is going to be very difficult when you have to open the container to get fruit flies. 

- MantisGirl13

 

[The Mantis Menagerie]

That recipe would work, yes, but it will get moldy easily and your mixture is too watery. I use potato flakes, banana, water, and yeast. Also, the top to that container is going to be very difficult when you have to open the container to get fruit flies. 

- MantisGirl13

I think citric acid and vinegar can both inhibit mold. Unless you have pure methyl paraben laying around (like me), those are probably the best for improving the longevity of the culture. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

Vinegar won't inhibit mold in the least. I know from experience...

 - MantisGirl13

 

[The Mantis Menagerie]

Vinegar won't inhibit mold in the least. I know from experience...

 - MantisGirl13

It has helped in my cultures, as has yeast. 

 

[hysteresis]

Repashy Superfly, or bust!

 

[MantisGirl13]

It has helped in my cultures, as has yeast. 

I used to make my cultures with yeast and vinegar and they got moldy in days. I switched to a commercial brand. 

- MantisGirl13

 

[The Mantis Menagerie]

I used to make my cultures with yeast and vinegar and they got moldy in days. I switched to a commercial brand. 

- MantisGirl13

The commercial mixes have methyl paraben, which will definitely outperform a homemade mix with vinegar and yeast. 

 

[hibiscusmile]

i use the calcium  propionate https://www.mantisplace.com/product-page/8-oz-calcium-propionate.  Somewhere in these pages is a fruit fly recipe I use.

http://mantidforum.net/forums/topic/43792-folded/?tab=comments#comment-334264