flightless fruit flies

[melonman]

So today i went iut and bought some flightless fruitflies and decuded ill give them a try and omgosh they were everywhere when i opened the can ...they were climbing all over the bin ..dont get me wrong my babys loved them but does any body have suggestions on how to contain them being so they arnt everywhere...any suggestion would be greatly appriciated

 

[pssh]

Tap the lid so that they fall to the bottom to prevent as many as possible from crawling out when you open it. Some will escape, but it makes it much easier when you tap the lid. As far as containing them in cages, I've heard of some people using stockings or similar materials over the top of the tub/bin so they cannot get out. Also, melanogaster fruit flies get out of screening much better than hydei flies.

 

[AllFallDown]

I have containers with very fine mesh screen lids. Yes, tapping the lid is what I do then I carefully shake out what I need. Just be careful not to accidentally shake out the culture media. I did that one time...

 

[melonman]

Hmmm ok

So there really no way of holding them in cups like crickets hu.. ill try that see how it goes thnx

 

[AllFallDown]

So there really no way of holding them in cups like crickets hu.. ill try that see how it goes thnx

Not sure what you mean. Do you mean hold then in cups so they down crawl out while you dust? Not without a little creativity

 

[melonman]

Yup

Yea cause these things are like machines they act like theyve been in that container for millions and millions of years

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I hit the ff container down fairly hard against the counter so that all the ff fall to the bottom before I open the lid. Then I open fast, dump in enough that I need, hit it down again to knock down the ones that have climbed up, and close the lid fast. It's an art! You're going to let out lots more before you get the hang of it. Some people put them in the fridge for a minute or two to slow them down before trying to get them out. Just don't leave them in there too long.

 

[melonman]

Ok sounds good one question ive been wondering is at what age is it when you start supplementing baby jacks

 

[spawn]

You can baste them in calcium powder which will blind them/make their feet less adhesive to the cage. This does not help you in the initial period of getting them out of the culture container but it's much easier to control once you want to feed your chams.

 

[melonman]

Oh

Ok ima try that thanks...i was told by my lps that i supp. Baby jacks as you would an adult is that right... i find it kinda wierd thought

 

[chameleonboy1]

Why could u not use ffs that can fly?

 

[robmd1]

Why could u not use ffs that can fly?

you can, but its hard enough containing the flightless ones why would you wanna..

 

[asongforyou]

fool proof.

What I do is I grab a clear bag (a bag where pet stores would put fish in) so its clear, and big enough to wrap the container. I open the lid while the bag is over the container. Make sure the flies can't escape by holding the bag tightly against the container. I angle the bag so the flies fall in and when I get a good amount, I tap it so the rest fall back in the cup and the flies fall further into the bag at the same time. Close the container while the bag is still wrapped around the container...that way no flies escape. The key is to not take the lid completely off of the cup during this whole process.

I hope this makes sense.

 

[asongforyou]

I forgot to also mention...

If you use my method, you can dust them because they're already in a bag!

 

[melonman]

Oo

AAhhhh i see im try that tganks for all the replies