yellow door 1 1,821 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 I've only done a few batches of maggots over the years and stopped because it was such a filthy stinkin business. And as I was using lamb hearts - it was almost as expensive as buying the maggots from the shop. Has anyone played around with the milk powder and bran method https://www.naturallyforbirds.com.au/flies-without-tears-a-personal-approach-to-maggots Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted March 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 or has anyone had much luck with those maggot buckets Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmck 627 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 I always used fish to breed 'gents', if you dont use the guts the smell is less.... but make sure you and your neighbours ARE upwind.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted March 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Yeah my attempts at breeding havent been all that fun - produced plenty of maggots but the stink is something I can do without Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hunter69 1,461 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Not worth it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kelp 56 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 a good method to breed maggots to eliminate the smell is after the blow wrap the blown fish or meat in 5 or six layers of news paper place in the bottom of a bucket then fill the bucket with clean dry beach sand, when you see wriggle tracks on the top of the sand it is time to sieve the sand you will have clean white maggots , I the pour boiling water over the left over news paper to kill any remaining maggots then bury it deep in the garden makes good fertiliser dmck, The Fishing Guru, Meppstas and 5 others 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doobie 5,802 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 I have now returned to breeding my own gents for 1 pure reason - twice now, I have purchased a container of long life gents and both within a 2 weeks were 3/4 dead. Each was purchased from a different tackle shop and I'm not sure how 'old' the stock was or for what ever reason, but at $6 a tub for something that should 'last' for say 2 months, I was annoyed. I used to use fish frames/head but agree the smell is pretty bad, and to also get the gents out from within the heads was difficult also. Tip: use disposable gloves to help protect hands from absorbing the smell Now, instead of fish remains, I use a couple of chicken thighs. I find the smell is not as bad, but is still smelly. Someone also mentioned to me recently, just like kelp as mentioned, to bury the 'food' within some sheets of newspaper under dry sand in a bucket. I tried this about 3 weeks ago (with sand in bottom of bucket, then the 'ingredients', then more sand) and confirm there is no smell in the air during the process - unless you stick your nose real close. But did notice some blowies still hanging around the bucket, a couple which even laid some babies on top of the sand. I didn't have any gents rise to the top of the sand, probably because I put plenty of sand to making sure to cover it right up. The bonus is, the gents are much bigger than purchased ones. Personally I wouldn't bother going to the trouble of making a maggot trap bucket - too much hassle. yellow door 1, The Fishing Guru and Slowly_evolving 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 Thanks Kelp and Doobie this sand and bucket method sounds very doable - might just get a batch on the go. Doobie - how long did you leave the chicken under the sand after the flies had laid their eggs. doobie 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kelp 56 Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 The gents should show signs at the top of the sand when they are ready, the time factor is the temperature in warm weather 4 or 5 days in colder weather can take as long as a week or more, wait for the wriggle marks on the sand, try to keep them in a warm area, I keep mine in the tool shed it keeps wind off of them an the iron shed warms up quickly when the sun rises. in very hot weather the shed can be too hot therefore look for a cooler spot. yellow door 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doobie 5,802 Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 7 minutes ago, kelp said: The gents should show signs at the top of the sand when they are ready, How much sand do you put on top of the wrapped newspaper? I probably had about 6" or so of sand on top (and underneath) and would think that is too much for the gents to get up top. yellow door 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 1 hour ago, kelp said: The gents should show signs at the top of the sand when they are ready, the time factor is the temperature in warm weather 4 or 5 days in colder weather can take as long as a week or more, wait for the wriggle marks on the sand, try to keep them in a warm area, I keep mine in the tool shed it keeps wind off of them an the iron shed warms up quickly when the sun rises. in very hot weather the shed can be too hot therefore look for a cooler spot. Thanks Kelp - Now I've just got to go find some blow flies - I seriously cant remember the last time I saw one. Might wait for the sun to come out before launching the operation Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doobie 5,802 Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 11 hours ago, yellow door 1 said: Thanks Kelp and Doobie this sand and bucket method sounds very doable - might just get a batch on the go. Doobie - how long did you leave the chicken under the sand after the flies had laid their eggs. It was about 4-5 days. Temp was around 30 I think. Being the first time I did it this way was a bit of guess work, so went on timings from past methods. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 9 hours ago, doobie said: It was about 4-5 days. Temp was around 30 I think. Being the first time I did it this way was a bit of guess work, so went on timings from past methods. Thanks for that Doobie - the day time temp is something I'm concerned about over the coming months - and that fact that I dont see many flies in my area over winter doobie 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doobie 5,802 Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 1 hour ago, yellow door 1 said: Thanks for that Doobie - the day time temp is something I'm concerned about over the coming months - and that fact that I dont see many flies in my area over winter Yeah YD1, the flies do seem to reduce down during colder months, but you don't need many to get the meat blown. You don't need a lot of flies to hang around, just enough over a day or 2 (or 3) to let them do their job (compared to probably 1 day in hotter weather). You don't want too many blowing the meat as there may not be enough meat/food for them whilst growing. I haven't actual tried to breed gents during those times, mainly because I am only targeting Salmon. But whilst I'm filleting the Salmon, flies do still turn up - unless it's bitterly cold, windy and wet day, then probably not. Slowly_evolving 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 Thanks heaps Doobie - you've given me the confidence to have a go - we've got some warm days coming so I'll give it a another crack. As soon as you mentioned Newspaper a little light bulb went off - with my old technique, juice would gather at the bottom of my container and fishing maggots out of putrefyed meat soup, was never a fun task - but hopefully the news paper soaks most of that up and makes maggots separation a bit easier. Slowly_evolving 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 I should add that I did remove the maggots from the incubation bucket and put them in bran filled containers - but having newspaper in the incubation bucket would make the process less juicy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doobie 5,802 Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 Yep, that's the way to do it. Even 1 or 2 sheets extra folded up newspaper sheets and put under the newspaper with the meat in it will give extra 'support' yellow door 1 and Slowly_evolving 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rybak 622 Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 I have found that "meat" bred gents tended to explode when putting them on the hook ?. They were definitely larger & fatter than the bought ones but looked unappetizing on the hook. I don't breed them anymore as I cannot be bothered. I too buy the long life gents now & found they do last quite some time, so for the amount they cost, more cost effective for me. I just keep the unused gents in the fridge until next time. doobie, Yorky and yellow door 1 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted March 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 Thanks Rybak - What did you store your maggots in after the breeding was done - Like what bedding material did you put in with them in the tub. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lofty64 1,309 Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 Put your fish frames in a fine chicken mesh , let them get blown wrap in news paper, then bury , bring out and shake ,all gents come out with a little fish crap ,pick out fish bits ,easy as , can also have it on a pole if you don't like the smell . Meppstas and yellow door 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lofty64 1,309 Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 Shake the gents into ,a sawdust mix ,with bran ,tends to clean them and feed them ,then into clean sawdust ,come wood shavings ,with some fresh bran ,lasts for a long time yellow door 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Meppstas 4,962 Posted March 31, 2019 Report Share Posted March 31, 2019 36 minutes ago, lofty64 said: Put your fish frames in a fine chicken mesh , let them get blown wrap in news paper, then bury , bring out and shake ,all gents come out with a little fish crap ,pick out fish bits ,easy as , can also have it on a pole if you don't like the smell . Spot on Lofty, that's how I did mine too.. I didn't worry about the smell. kept them jar in of bran in the bottom of the fishing bait fridge. They go into hibernation and last for ages. Did leave them in the fridge in the house once, but somehow the jar got knocked over just after I put them in it. Seeing as I had some air hole in the lid..Well you can guess what happened after that.. That;s why I finished up with a bait fridge & freezer in the shed.. cheers Adrian Squid Inc., lofty64 and yellow door 1 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rybak 622 Posted April 1, 2019 Report Share Posted April 1, 2019 On 31/03/2019 at 5:36 PM, yellow door 1 said: Thanks Rybak - What did you store your maggots in after the breeding was done - Like what bedding material did you put in with them in the tub. Bran & Pollard mix only. Did not last long either even when kept in the fridge. Was just not worth the effort. yellow door 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted April 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2019 On 31/03/2019 at 6:11 PM, lofty64 said: Shake the gents into ,a sawdust mix ,with bran ,tends to clean them and feed them ,then into clean sawdust ,come wood shavings ,with some fresh bran ,lasts for a long time Thanks for the tips lofty64 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted April 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2019 1 hour ago, Rybak said: Bran & Pollard mix only. Did not last long either even when kept in the fridge. Was just not worth the effort. To a bloke who is on the fence as to whether to dive back into the maggot making game - this isnt the news I was hoping for doobie 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doobie 5,802 Posted April 1, 2019 Report Share Posted April 1, 2019 Keeping gents in Bran (as I do) will keep them as long as the shop purchased ones (that are in Bran or whatever sheldons use). I keep them near the bottom of the fridge in a seal plastic container and each week I get it out for an hour so they can play and breath a bit. They last long enough for me, maybe 3-4 weeks. yellow door 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted April 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2019 yeah 3 to 4 weeks would work for me doobie 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted April 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2019 and so it begins - went with a can of cat food. Day one - no eggs yet - but a few ants got to it - they may have taken them away. So I've put the can in some water and cat proofed it doobie and Slowly_evolving 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted April 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 Day 3 - still no eggs to be seen - but I did see a green headed blowfly at work today - might have to take the food to the flies Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted April 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 and Heres what it looked like on day one Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doobie 5,802 Posted April 4, 2019 Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 mmm, does it smell? Like you walk past it and there is 'that' aroma in the air? I don't know how cat food goes for attracting flies - it should work, but I've never tried it. Hopefully something turns up with tomorrows last hot day this week. Otherwise get some a chicken leg (take skin off and put some cuts in meat) or thigh. Keeping my fingers crossed for you - but do get that blowy from work and sticky tape it on the food Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted April 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 Yeah my initial concerns of lack of flies at this time of year seem to be coming true. My part of town doesnt have a lot of flies at anytime of year, So when the cooler weather sets in, theres even less. The cat food doesnt stink yet but I reckon its the lack of flies in my neighborhood thats the real problem. Even in summer you can eat outside and not swish away a fly. I might take advantage of some large bins near work - actually some restaurant bins with heaps of food scraps in them are what I really need to find my breeders - leave it with me - I'll work it out eventually doobie 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rod 773 Posted April 4, 2019 Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 You should let your neighbours know you are going to fix the big problem, lack of flies I used to breed my own once a year, back when interest rates were in the high teens and we did one ljetty based expedition to take the kids fishing in the christmas holidays. I used whiting frames and a efficient setup and it produced big fat tasty gents that far outperform shop bought relatives. Neighbours not too close and did it in a garden shed. But definitely smelly and not highly recommended Cheers Rod Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted April 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 Yeah the lack flies is not something I remember complaining about in the past. doobie and The Fishing Guru 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yellow door 1 1,821 Posted April 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2019 Spotted a breeding pair of these units by the bins at work today - but I wasnt sure exactly what they were and what the best bait for them would be. I got on google and finding the best bait for an "Oriental Latrine Fly" was possibly a few steps further than I was willing to go. But upon further reading, the cat food should be fine. Chrysomya megacephala, more commonly known as the oriental latrine fly, is a member of the family Calliphoridae (blowflies). It is a warm-weather fly with a greenish-blue metallic box-like body. The fly infests corpses soon after death, making it important to forensic science. This fly is implicated in some public health issues; it can cause accidental myiasis,[1] and also infects fish and livestock. doobie and Squid Inc. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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