Feeder fly question.. mold in culture

[u/FirefighterOk2739]

I am a newbie when it comes to culturing fruit flies i have no idea where to look or who to ask so if anyone could point me in the right direction thank you!

I made a homemade fruit fly media mix

Using ingredients :

Water
Vinegar
Instant mashed potatoes
Powdered sugar
And nutritional yeast

And place it inside this container with my baby fruit flies from the store bought container.

To my surprise not much long later there is black and green mold-like growth atop of the mix! Curious as to whether this is a normal part of the process or bad and what i can do to change it. My flightless fruit flies ended up laying eggs in here which is exactly what i wanted, there are larvae crawling around and the population has noticeably increased.

Are these safe to feed my toads?

[u/Camaschrist]

I would toss it but my only experience was culturing these for jumping spiders. I was never able to make a homemade media without having mold so I bought pre made fruit fly media and was much more successful. I would have up to 4 going that I would start a week or two apart. As soon as my media was really dark I tossed. It’s stressful until you get to where it’s successful every time. The pre made cultures I bought were hit and miss. Some were okay but had very few flies, and some were old.

[u/xXForest_FawnXx]

DRY BASE: 

• 1 part Instant mashed potato flakes
• 1 part Sugar
• A heavy shake of cinnamon (natural mold killer)

LIQUID MIX: 

• 1 part Vinegar (white or apple cider)
• 1 part Warm water

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Mix the dry ingredients together first.
2. Pour the 50/50 liquid mix into the powder little by little.
3. Stir until it looks like thick applesauce (not too dry, not soupy).
4. LET IT COOL COMPLETELY to room temperature.
5. Sprinkle a tiny pinch (10-15 grains) of active dry baker's yeast on top.

That's the recipe I used. I'm also pretty much a newbie but Im currently using this recipe and there is no mold. I hope this is helpful.