Small, fast flies in cricket enclosure?

[Ratmosphere]

Usually normal fruit flies will be seen in my house. Lately, I've been finding small and super fast fruit fly like creatures in my cricket container. They seem to like to run around and dart in different directions before taking flight. I never seen them before until now. Any idea on what these are called?

 

[TylerFishman5675]

Fungus gnats most likely, if you have any source of moist soil that's what's attracting them, Let the soil dry out completely between mistings, try snd keep dirted areas sealed tight

 

[Aquarimax]

Fungus gnats are definitely a possibility. They may Also be phorid flies, the movement patterns you describe sound like phorids.

 

[Ratmosphere]

I never seen a fungus gnat move that fast. Then again, maybe there could be different species that do? Thank you!

 

[myrmecophile]

I would say Phorids.

 

[elportoed]

Sounds like phorid flies. If you start seeing a few, you need to get rid of them as quickly as you can as they can grow out of control quickly. The link discuss how to do so, http://arachnoboards.com/threads/flies-flies-flies.297144/

 

[EulersK]

Phorid flies are much, much larger that fungus gnats. I trust that you know what fungus gnats are and wouldn't say that phorid flies are smaller, so that rules out phorid flies.

I'm not sure what type of fly you have, but here's a post I recently made about catching/killing small flies. I've battled with them for years, and I've come up with a combination that works fairly well.

I've been dealing with flies on and off for years. Plenty of trial and error have finally led me to a solution.

First, the liquid. Bring about 1/2 cup of water to a boil, and then add plenty of sugar. I don't measure it, but probably close to 1/4 cup. Of course get it to dissolve completely. While it's still hot, add in a tablespoon of honey and let that dissolve. Feel free to make this in bulk, it keeps in the fridge for months. When the time comes to use it, add in a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar - note that you should not use the more expensive organic stuff. Oddly enough, they seem to prefer the cheap variety. Then put in just a couple drops of dishwashing soap. Too much will actually deter flies, so be sparing with it. To reiterate: add the vinegar and soap just before you're about to use it.

Second, the container. This is just as important as the liquid, if not more. Make something similar to this trap. It's pretty easy to make. Get a typical mason jar, drill four large holes (~1/2") forming a square in the lid, then drill another much smaller hole in the middle. Put a screw and bolt through the middle hole, resulting in basically a flag pole sticking out of your mason jar. The get something to mimic the white roof that you see in the link I posted. Personally, I just use a piece of paper that I made into a cone and stapled. This white roof is imperative, but I couldn't tell you why. If you want to make life easier on yourself, just buy the trap... but do not use it! The smell that their bait emits is just rancid.

And that's it. You'll start catching them almost immediately. Remember that vinegar evaporates, meaning that it will lose efficiency as times goes on. I have to replace my liquid once every month or so. As @boina brought up, you'll never get rid of them 100%. But even a single trap will make it difficult for you to find a fly again.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Thanks man.

 

[The Snark]

If it's fungus gnats they are very short lived. Hydrogen Peroxide kills the larvae instantly on contact and leaves no harmful residue.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Thanks for the information!