Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Peter Parrot]

I found this recipe somewhere I can`t remember now and thought I would try it. It was referred to as a "Power mix" and I thought I would make the very little extra effort involved to try it.

I have made four batches now using it, and after some tweaking and adjusting I think that I will keep it as it now stands. It is producing swarms of flies and only takes 10-15 mins to prepare. Once a week that is no hassle. I just managed to make 11 cultures out of 5 that had bloomed so here is what I do;

1 part instant mash flakes
1 part brewers yeast

Mix these together dry in a bowl and put to one side.

1 part water
1 part white vinegar

Add these together in a jug and put to one side.

Mash one ripe banana and put it in a small saucepan.
Add half a jar of apple sauce
Add a cupful of grape juice concentrate (Health food shops sell it)
This is the messy bit add approximatelty one cup full of molasses. (I just get a good wooden spoonful and twist it so that it hangs on the spoon in one big lump).

Heat gently and stir with the wooden spoon until it starts to bubble gently and thickens to a treacle like consistancy.

Combine this mix with the dry mix in a large bowl with the wooden spoon.

Add the water/white vinegar mix a little at a time whilst mixing with the wooden spoon until it reaches the desired consistancy.

It smells like a cross between christmas pudding and homebrew whilst making it. Not at all unpleasant and it does not stink as the culture ages either, at least I have not found it to do so. I am now putting 2 1/2" of mix in the bottom of a plastic pint glass as I found that the amount of maggots produced ate through the medium so fast that there was little food for the adult flies left .

The cultures have been VERY productive.

A ball of raffia to increase the surface area for the emerging flies to climb onto , a square of kitchen roll on top of the plastic pint glass , and a rubber band to keep it there and you are away.
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[Drymarchon32]

Very interesting recipe, I might try one next time i'm making some up. How many flies do you add to the jars?
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Complacency killed the keeper

[Rickeezee]

Good post Pete, glad to see your still fiddling with your flies
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[Billbow]

[Rickeezee]

[kroakykaren]

Good recipe Pete will give it a go thanks
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