If you're into keeping ants, setting up a fruit fly culture is one of the best things you can do for your colony. Fruit flies are pretty much the gold standard when it comes to providing protein for ants. They’re small, easy to catch, and packed with all the nutrients your ants need to grow strong and healthy. Fruit flies are also a game-changer for feeding your small or young reptiles, like dart frogs, baby chameleons, and geckos. They're the perfect size for tiny mouths and provide a natural way for your reptile to hunt, promoting healthy activity and stimulating their natural instincts.
Having a fruit fly culture at home means you’ve always got a low-cost, steady, reliable supply of food. This way, you don’t have to keep running to the store or worrying about running out of feeders. Plus, watching your ants hunt down fruit flies brings out their natural foraging behaviors, which is not only fascinating to watch but also great for keeping them active and healthy.
So, if you want to keep your ants happy and growing, setting up a fruit fly culture is definitely worth the effort. Here's how:
Materials Needed
Alternatively, you can get everything you need in our fruit fly culture kit here
1. Fruit Fly Starter Culture: A small population of fruit flies to begin the culture.
2. Culture Container: A plastic or glass container with a breathable lid (such as foam or cotton).
3. Fly Medium (Food Source): The medium serves as both a food source and an egg-laying substrate. You can buy commercial fruit fly medium or make your own using the recipe below.
4. Breathable Lid or Ventilation: Foam plug, cotton ball, or fabric-covered lid to ensure airflow while preventing flies from escaping.
5. Coffee Strainers or Excelsior: Surface area for the fruit flies to live on
Homemade Fly Medium Recipe
This recipe matures flies slightly slower than typical, but has the advantage of lasting longer.
Ingredients:
- Half a banana (ripe or overripe is best)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- Oat bran
- Active baker’s yeast
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 sprinkle of cinammon
Method:
1. Mash the Banana and Sugar:In a bowl, mash the banana and sugar together until it forms a runny mixture.
2. Add Oat Bran: Mix in small amounts of oat bran gradually until the mixture becomes firm but still moist. If the mixture appears too dry, add a little water until the texture is right.
3. Add Apple Cider Vinegar: Stir in the apple cider vinegar to help with fermentation.
4. Sprinkle Yeast and Cinnamon: Sprinkle a tiny amount of active baker’s yeast (only a fraction of a pinch) on top of the mixture to start the fermentation.
5. Ready for Use: The mix can be placed into the culture container immediately. Add it in a layer about 1-2 inches deep.
Preparing a Fruit Fly Culture with Repashy Superfly
1. Prepare the Mixture: In a 32 oz. deli container, add 1/4 cup of Superfly media. Then, pour in 2/3 cup of HOT water (use distilled or bottled water if possible). Stir thoroughly until the mixture is well blended.
2. Set the Mixture and Adjust: The mixture should be thin enough to spread out and flatten when you tap the container on a table. Let the mixture sit for a few hours to fully absorb the water. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more water. If it’s too thin, add more media.
Steps to Make the Fruit Fly Culture
1. Prepare the Culture Container: Place the prepared fly medium in the bottom of the culture container.
2. Add Fruit Flies: Gently transfer 30-40 adult fruit flies from the starter culture into the container.
3. Secure the Lid: Use a breathable lid to ensure airflow while keeping flies inside.
4. Store at Room Temperature: Keep the culture at around 21-25°C (70-77°F), away from direct sunlight.
5. Monitor the Culture: You’ll see eggs and larvae in a few days. The life cycle will progress a bit slower with this recipe, but it will last longer.
Maintenance and Tips
- Transfer Flies Every 4-5 Weeks: Move adult flies to a fresh container with new medium every few weeks.
- Control Humidity: If the medium dries out, add a few drops of water. If it’s too wet, mold may grow—reduce moisture or add more dry material like oat bran.