Substrate and Fruit Flies

[IHeartTs]

Thank you for the information. Is there a type of biological cleanup that would be a little more generalized in it's target without harming Ts?

I'm experimenting with springtails in my humid enclosures to eat mold, boluses etc. Some people use isopods. As far as mites not sure besides the predatory mites people usually use.

 

[samatwwe]

No problem, I am pretty sure that Hypoaspis are your best bet as a generalist pest predator. I would give Evergreen a call and see if they would have more insight. They may have different suggestions that would suit you better.

I've been having real issues with phorids in my 4 roach colonies. I pick out all dead roaches daily and still have them, not too terrible anymore though. I did have them in the roach bins bad but I got rid of most of them. Just ordered and electric flyswatter for the wanderers that I always clap out of the air lol. Figured I'd have some fun killing them. I don't have maggots in my roach bins but would H. miles survive in my colonies off of roach molts and frass so that they are always there to kill any infesting maggots that may be introduced?

 

[-=}GA']['OR{=-]

I've been having real issues with phorids in my 4 roach colonies. I pick out all dead roaches daily and still have them, not too terrible anymore though. I did have them in the roach bins bad but I got rid of most of them. Just ordered and electric flyswatter for the wanderers that I always clap out of the air lol. Figured I'd have some fun killing them. I don't have maggots in my roach bins but would H. miles survive in my colonies off of roach molts and frass so that they are always there to kill any infesting maggots that may be introduced?

They should if the substrate remains moist enough. They like the same conditions as phorid maggots. I think they might survive long enough to get the situation under control. It's pretty cool to watch a group of them tackle something like a maggot.

I hear ya about the elec flyswatter. There is no love lost on these pests!

 

[samatwwe]

They should if the substrate remains moist enough. They like the same conditions as phorid maggots. I think they might survive long enough to get the situation under control. It's pretty cool to watch a group of them tackle something like a maggot.

I hear ya about the elec flyswatter. There is no love lost on these pests!

Do H. miles need a substrate to live in? I don't keep substrate in my dubia bins but I let frass and molts accumulate to about 1" depth until I do a full cleaning and start out with a dry clean tub again.

 

[jigalojey]

I have one tank that I see these little runts pop up in once every month and I just spend my time squashing them until I can't find anymore.

 

[-=}GA']['OR{=-]

Do H. miles need a substrate to live in? I don't keep substrate in my dubia bins but I let frass and molts accumulate to about 1" depth until I do a full cleaning and start out with a dry clean tub again.

I believe so, due to the fact that they will dessicate. I have seen them crawling outside of enclosures, but I don't know how long they will last without moisture. I know the instructions for use is to wet the substrate down several hours before introduction. They can't survive in flooded conditions, the substrate just has to be moist.

Call or email them and see what they say. They have always been responsive to questions.

 

[Sana]

I believe so, due to the fact that they will dessicate. I have seen them crawling outside of enclosures, but I don't know how long they will last without moisture. I know the instructions for use is to wet the substrate down several hours before introduction. They can't survive in flooded conditions, the substrate just has to be moist.

Call or email them and see what they say. They have always been responsive to questions.

Do you happen to know if they will eat crickets eggs? I developed a fly issue sometime in the last few days in a cricket bin that I hatch from. I'd really rather not lose my cricket eggs but I can't feed anything from that bin until I'm sure that the flies are gone as I can't be sure what kind they are. You ever try to catch one of those little flies to ID? It's a nightmare.

 

[-=}GA']['OR{=-]

Do you happen to know if they will eat crickets eggs? I developed a fly issue sometime in the last few days in a cricket bin that I hatch from. I'd really rather not lose my cricket eggs but I can't feed anything from that bin until I'm sure that the flies are gone as I can't be sure what kind they are. You ever try to catch one of those little flies to ID? It's a nightmare.

I'm not sure if they would feed on cricket eggs. If I had to guess I would think not, I know that they supposedly do not feed on fungus gnat eggs/ pupae, but they will consume thrips pupae. Weird.

Are the flies "running" in a zigzag pattern on the sides of the bin? When you approach do they take off? They are a pain to catch, but I have gotten good at crushing them and smashing them in mid air. HaHa!

---------- Post added 01-14-2015 at 05:44 AM ----------

Here is an article about them: http://www.just4growers.com/stream/...s-with-natural-predators-hypoaspis-miles.aspx

 

[samatwwe]

So I decided to order an electric fly swatter off of Amazon and I got it a few days ago... I have to tell you, it's super satisfying to zap all of those pests out of mid air! I think I literally scoured the house for over an hour the first night zapping any phorid flu I could find. It's actually made quite a difference so far.

 

[eldondominicano]

So I decided to order an electric fly swatter off of Amazon and I got it a few days ago... I have to tell you, it's super satisfying to zap all of those pests out of mid air! I think I literally scoured the house for over an hour the first night zapping any phorid flu I could find. It's actually made quite a difference so far.

LOL.. You now need to come up with a way to make ones small enough for enclosures. Tiny little swatters smacking flies left and right ha. Of course you don't want to be swatting your T

 

[samatwwe]

LOL.. You now need to come up with a way to make ones small enough for enclosures. Tiny little swatters smacking flies left and right ha. Of course you don't want to be swatting your T

Well you know the whole electric flyswater thing got me thinking.. For my dubia tubs, I cut out a majority of the lid and duct tape vinyl screen for ventilation... Imagine if you could somehow put an electric mesh there in place of the screen. Similar to the metal grid on the electric fly swatter. Then NOTHING would get in or out of the tubs, I.e. Phorid flies and other pests. They would be killed on contact. It would be a safety concern either as I keep two bins in a closet where no one would accidently touch them. It's a bit far fetched but it'd be an awesome fool proof way of keeping roaches in, and pests out. Lol

 

[eldondominicano]

Well you know the whole electric flyswater thing got me thinking.. For my dubia tubs, I cut out a majority of the lid and duct tape vinyl screen for ventilation... Imagine if you could somehow put an electric mesh there in place of the screen. Similar to the metal grid on the electric fly swatter. Then NOTHING would get in or out of the tubs, I.e. Phorid flies and other pests. They would be killed on contact. It would be a safety concern either as I keep two bins in a closet where no one would accidently touch them. It's a bit far fetched but it'd be an awesome fool proof way of keeping roaches in, and pests out. Lol

Well seeing as we have both played a part into this solution..(me like 10%) I'm expecting some interest for the conception of this idea

 

[-=}GA']['OR{=-]

So I decided to order an electric fly swatter off of Amazon and I got it a few days ago... I have to tell you, it's super satisfying to zap all of those pests out of mid air! I think I literally scoured the house for over an hour the first night zapping any phorid flu I could find. It's actually made quite a difference so far.

Sounds like a good time! Get after em!