jake7917 Posted August 16, 2021 Report Share Posted August 16, 2021 I found a bunch of little flies in my batch of flake soil. Will they ruin it? Does baking the soil in the oven remove any of the decaying material or make it inedible for the larvae? It’s been fermenting for around 3 weeks now, and is starting to darken. Should be finished fermenting soon. I’m debating whether I should just wait until the flake soil ferments and then just bake it to sanitize, or do something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKim Posted August 16, 2021 Report Share Posted August 16, 2021 1. It is probably a fungus gnat, and it will ruin your substrate in some time. They do not directly affect your larvae, but they can compete on feeding on your substrate. So if you want to remove then, I would completely remove them. I don't.. Because it takes too much time and effort, so I don't remove them unless their numbers increase way too much. 2. There are many different method to remove fungus gnats, like baking them on low temperature in oven, freeze it for couple days, use microwave and kill them, etc. I used to use microwave and use it for about 3-4 minutes, but some says this way can kill all the microorganisms (which I don't believe any other methods wouldn't). However, microwave it worked the best for me. 3. If it is middle of fermentation, I would wait and do it later, or you will have to start entire thing again. 4. Color of substrate do not mean whether it is about to end or not. Depending on what you added into your substrate for fermentation, and the temperature it reached during fermentation, color can be varied. Color does not mean anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake7917 Posted August 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2021 On 8/15/2021 at 7:04 PM, JKim said: 1. It is probably a fungus gnat, and it will ruin your substrate in some time. They do not directly affect your larvae, but they can compete on feeding on your substrate. So if you want to remove then, I would completely remove them. I don't.. Because it takes too much time and effort, so I don't remove them unless their numbers increase way too much. 2. There are many different method to remove fungus gnats, like baking them on low temperature in oven, freeze it for couple days, use microwave and kill them, etc. I used to use microwave and use it for about 3-4 minutes, but some says this way can kill all the microorganisms (which I don't believe any other methods wouldn't). However, microwave it worked the best for me. 3. If it is middle of fermentation, I would wait and do it later, or you will have to start entire thing again. 4. Color of substrate do not mean whether it is about to end or not. Depending on what you added into your substrate for fermentation, and the temperature it reached during fermentation, color can be varied. Color does not mean anything. Definitely fungal gnats. I appreciate all the good information. How does the lack of micro organisms affect the quality/function of the substrate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted August 16, 2021 Report Share Posted August 16, 2021 Fungus gnats are a nightmare. I personally microwave the substrate instead of freezing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetlesforlife3 Posted August 16, 2021 Report Share Posted August 16, 2021 I agree with microwaving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKim Posted August 16, 2021 Report Share Posted August 16, 2021 On 8/15/2021 at 10:45 PM, jake7917 said: Definitely fungal gnats. I appreciate all the good information. How does the lack of micro organisms affect the quality/function of the substrate? Fermentation is basically a reproduction of microorganisms, meaning nutrition for your larvae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake7917 Posted August 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 On 8/16/2021 at 4:23 PM, JKim said: Fermentation is basically a reproduction of microorganisms, meaning nutrition for your larvae. So even after microwaving, the soil will be edible for the larvae? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKim Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 On 8/16/2021 at 9:04 PM, jake7917 said: So even after microwaving, the soil will be edible for the larvae? In my case, yes, never really had any noticeable issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 That's the case with me as well. I remember always being told that heat treating is bad to do, when I've never really had any issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Never had an issue microwaving rotten wood or leaf litter, kills all the nasties and still works great for what you are feeding them to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GardenDrag0n Posted August 18, 2021 Report Share Posted August 18, 2021 Ah, the joys of living alone...where what I can put into my microwave is limited only by my imagination and courage. In all seriousness, this is not something I have specific experience with, but it's not functionally different than limiting pathogens by boiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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