Flukers Crickets... Anyone had similar experiences.

[Axe]

With this in mind I am not currently aware of a problem. We also breed reptiles in El Salvador and use our crickets down there. I am not aware of any problems at our own breeding facility down there either.

I guess all those dead & dying beardies that turned up on peoples' doorsteps last year must've all been a movie or a bad dream or something.

 

[CheriS]

I have a question that I would like clarified, Is this David Fluker using Howards account or Howard posing as David?

I know that drawoh is Howard's user name and also the Email name he uses... it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that drawoh is howard spelled backwards. I have several emails from "drawoh"
[email protected]
Regards,
Howard Fluker
Owner and President of FFI Reptile, Iguanas Tropicales, The Reptile Republic

Now, I also know that David is the president of Fluker Farms.... so who is really posting here and are we talking to?????

Also...... whoever you are how can you possibly say

We also breed reptiles in El Salvador and use our crickets down there. I am not aware of any problems at our own breeding facility down there either.

Do you so quickly forget Howard's own words?

I would like to thank everyone who has enjoyed our contest but due to recent posts in the Bearded Forum we have temporally decided to suspend the contest until we can check the health of all of our Bearded Dragons here at the Reptile Republic.
Thank You,
Howard Fluker
Reptile Republic

I don't............ and won't, forever imprinted in my mind is watching a poor baby dragon from you taking his last gasping breaths as he bled out from a disease that has showed up in far too many of your dragons and the 24 hours after bringing him from the Vet, knowing he could not survive, but wanting to give him some comfort in dying with someone that cared, not on a filthy ground like they were rasied on. How dare you now state that you had no problem.... its one thing these dragons were sent into the United States to die like this, also infecting and killing many other dragons in peoples colonies.... not to mention the costs we and others incurred trying to save them...... never a word of apology, offer to cover cost or any feelings from you....... and now a denial of a problem

I could add 50 or more pictures here of YOUR "no problems", but it would make people to ill to see the pitiful end results. That includes ones taken at your own so called breeding facility in El Salvador.

I will not forget, I will not let others forget, I am not alone in remembering, nor are others still dealing with the problems your "no problem" created, many that they are still having the fallout from

 

[ragnew]

Hi Cheri,

So it wasn't David Fluker that I was replying to? Who is Howard Fluker, and what exactly is his title with the company? I'd be interested in finding out who I've been conversing with...

Thanks,
Richie

 

[Wilomn]

Back in '95-'96 I was working with an importer. He brought in a great many baby iguanas. I seem to recall, but may be wrong as to the sourse because of the time since I was involved, that they were from either Costa Rica and/or El Salvador. These guys died by the bunches. Very large bunches and I don't think we were the only ones losing large numbers of freshly imported baby iguranas.I do recall that there was a problem he had with flukers but can't remember if it was about the iggys or not.

Does anyone else know if they were breeding and sending up sick iguanas as well as sick beardies in the mid '90s. I hadn't thought of it in years until this thread came up.

Wes Pollock

 

[CheriS]

I have no idea who you have been conversing with......thats why I asked the above, drawoh is not David Fluker, yet that is the name that signed that post.

In their own words as of the first of this year:

Howard Fluker, owner and manager of FFI Reptile, Iguanas Tropicales and the Reptile Republic which are all located in El Salvador, Central America. FFI Reptile, Iguanas Tropicales and the
Reptile Republic are all controlled by Howard

David Fluker, president of Fluker Farms is his brother, Fluker Farms has no ownership in any part of FFI Reptile, Iguanas Tropicales or the Reptile Republic in El Salvador.

The only connection between the three companies is that they share some of the same stockholders and that Fluker Farms is a customer of FFI Reptile and Iguanas Tropicales.

OH yeah, and they seem to share a user name and account on Fauna Classifieds now.

 

[CheriS]

wilomn,

Good memory, your right it was them also that sent in the diseased iguana's, thousands of them, I almost mentioned that in my prior post, but I am so upset at the denial of any problems in their breeding facility there, after personally dealing with and also helping hundreds of others with problems from the dragons they bred and rasied.

 

[ragnew]

Ah, I gotcha.... Seems I've been talking to David via Email, and Howard here on the site.... Only everything that they said in the email, is the same thing that was said here on the Website. Maybe I've been talking to both of them.... Maybe not... Anywho thanks again Cheri, our herps need people like you and all the others who've come out to help here... I truly believe, that its up to us to make the difference... Its just a matter of figuring out how to go about doing it.

Richie Agnew.

 

[ragnew]

Thats all she wrote.

Hey All,

Thanks for the replies all... I believe that I've done what I needed to do and time to move on.... I can only hope that I dont have to go through what I've went through again... Think I'm gonna stick to mealworms and that'll be that. Maybe crix once a week or so. Again, I appreciate EVERYONES help and info on this matter and I'm closing this chapter as far as my herp days are concerned. Somethings happen and I can't change that, I can just tell people what I've been through and see why it happens. I really dont think anyones to blame, so maybe it was petty for me to do so... After lots of research it seems like anyone is just as likely to be shipping out crickets that've come incontact with somekind of bacteria or Mold... Not just Flukers. I appreciate you info on the situation Mr. David Fluker and I wish you the best of luck with the business. I'm sure theres plenty of Happy Fluker supporters out there and they will most definitely grow in numbers. Maybe it was just a stroke of bad luck on my behalf.... But anyway thats the past and nows the future... I've got lots of healthy animals left and will continue to focus on them... So again, thanks for the help, support and information in general on this bum occasion and with luck the next post by me will be a happy one...

Thanks,
Richie Agnew

 

[CheriS]

Unless there is another report somewhere, I do not see a independent test done on crickets for parasites, bacteria or fungus that they MAY carry on them.... this is very different from what they may carry in them. I don't see a report on in them either for that matter, Pinworms is NOT what was the question.

I find it curious that some labs report to have found bacteria's that can be deadly to animals, yet the poster here states no. So I decided to do a bit more checking.

I wonder, if

Dr. Mark Mitchell of Louisiana State University recently (Jan. 2003) did a study looking for parasites in crickets

quote from David Fluker (at least that's who signed this post), is the same Dr. Mark Mitchell who you advertise as this

Fluker's REPTA+AID Critical Care Formula
Using our decade of experience as reptile breeders, we understand the need to have a supplement that provides energy and fluid support for malnourished and dehydrated animals. With our on staff Veterinarian Dr. Mark Mitchell leading the way

that rather looks to me like your talking about an employee of your company who you also sell and promote products made by and endorsed by him in your ads.

I find this interesting and thought others might also..... I certainly read that post to be an independent study that indicated crickets were not the vector of any parasites, bacteria or fungal problem conducted by the someone at the University of Louisiana, not an employee of yours.... .. I wanted to make sure that it was clear to others just what was tested for and who the tester was

I think the reptile community will have more answers soon as I know that there are researchers (independant) that are studying several maladies that are affecting reptiles and looking at crickets and also the feed they are raised on as a possible source of that.

I'm not saying that crickets are bad, far from it, I use over 15,000 a month at slow times, but as anything, husbandry and diet to them can mean the difference between live and death. If there is a feed they are ingesting or substrate that is harboring something that they can carry on them that is creating problems when consumed as feeders, we need to be aware of it and take precautions.

Just curious, why did you not state what Dr. Mark Mitchell is? in fact your employee, almost looks like you were trying to say something else

 

[Spanky]

Flukers Crickets-- more illness

I've been sitting on this problem for weeks now, reading over and over the posts on what happens when the Fluker crickets are introduced and I just had to add one more voice.

I have, actually had, 19 leopard geckos. They fluorished for 2 years-- until I made the mistake of using Fluker products, specifically crickets. In just a few weeks time, I've watched 2 of my colony die. Although I did all I could (including $1000.+ at the exotic animal vet we use), 2X daily humidity treatments, 2X daily hand feeding nutracal (vet direction), supplementing with calcium glucagen drops, they still died---- and I was crushed. I'm watching about 5 more who are worrying me. They're losing weight slowly, they're lethargic, and not eating well. What does not surprise me now is that the animals that died were also the ones who preferred crickets to mealworms which makes sense if the crickets are the source of the infection. Incidentally, they have routine fecal exams, were all wormed and are housed separately.

The person who has helped me the most is Marcia McGuinness of Goldengate. Although I know her only through the internet, the woman is a saint-- just a wealth of knowledge and caring. Please pay attention to her earlier post on this subject-- she knows what she's talking about. Marcia, if you read this, I thank you from the bottom of my lizard-lovin' heart.

I have, of course, cancelled my account with Fluker. Relatively new to having a colony of geckos, I've invested a fair amount of money and an inestimable amount of time and caring. The fact that this horror is continuing and the companies responsible aren't doing anything to clean up their act makes me sick. These animals are more than breeders or whatever to me-- they're my pets and I know each one of them, their personalities (they do have them) and habits.

If anyone has any more info on this subject and how we can go about effecting change within the companies killing our animals, please count me in. Thanks.

Sherrie Mattson

 

[Gecko_LoL]

After reading through this post, I'm afraid to use crickets at all! Has anyone ever heard of this problem when using mealworms? If not, do you still think it's safe to buy mealies from Flukers? They're the only company I can find that ships in small quantities.

 

[groovygeckos]

i second that !!! any problems with worman ???? please reply if this sounds familiar

allright guys THIS COULD BE A GOOD GUY REPORT IN THE END ,where can any of us get "clean" food for our kids ? and know for sure !!! please someone tell me !! recently ordered from worman a couple of times , and the boxes are forwarded through them somehow , but return addressed from guess who , none other than "the evil flukers" ...... i am waiting right now for a shipment of 1000 regular mealworms and a 50 count cup of w. worms to make up for 2 attempts by worman to send me the correct size / quantity ( received 500 very large ones twice when i ordered 1000 small of superworms ! i will see when the make-up order comes and who it is adressed by!!!! and i will be back to post more details of this more than two week headache just to get 1000 worms ! and a pic of the package label (if that is the case again ) ! if they do not come through with the correct order or if the box is from flukers seemed like a scam they offer the worms express at a better price than flukers then half a box came ,SAID THEYDE SHIP THE ENTIRE ORDER OUT TO MAKE UP FOR IT ,,,,, SAME THING think either this guy is a scam , OR EVEN SCARIER FLUKER IS SABOTAGING "HIS" SHIPMENTS !!! IF YOU ORDER FROM THEM , MAKE CLEAR TO THEM YOU DO NOT WISH TO RECEIVE ANYTHING FROM FLUKER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY !!! I WAS GOING TO BITE MY TONGUE ON THIS TILL I READ THE WHOLE FLUKERS STORY HERE !! SCARED NOW AS MY GECKOS HAVE EATEN SOME OF THE WORMS ! THAT AND HE TOLD ME HE WOULD SHIP THEM PERSONALLY ON MONDAY FROM THERE ( ASSUMING FROM HIS OWN WORMS LIKE HE CLAIMS ) AND NOT SHIPPED FROM FLUKERS !!! THEN E- MAIL CAME MONDAY SAYING THEYRE SHIPPING THEM YESTERDAY(TUESDAY VIA USPS PRIORITY ( FIGURED THEY WOULD HAVE ARRIVED THIS AFTERNOON ) MAYBE THAT DOESNT MEAN NEXT DAY ? NOT SURE BUT THE ORIGINAL ORDER WAS FOR EXPRESS ( NEXT DAY) C WHAT HAPPENS LET YOU GOOD FOLKS KNOW TOO !!

 

[CheriS]

Dan,

That's interesting info, that you ordered from one place and they came from Flukers.... but I have heard that there are several middlemen who have orders drop shipped from the larger farms

I can tell you we have had 5 supplier's crickets and worms checked, and 3 of those show no problems with their crickets and all five were problem free with worms.

The 3 that were all healthy were Timberline, Armstrongs and Reptilefood.com.... this was about a year ago now and we have not rechecked them since as we only get insects from one of these 3 now and have had no reason to recheck them. For obvious reason we can not say the two that were horrible! Something about not have a "pure" line of evidence.

If you want to have your feeders checked IDEXX labs will do this for a minimal fee.

Don't be scared off crickets, kept properly and fed clean, often changed out foods, they are a great nutritional feeder for many animals. We have never checked feeder rodents, but that is something someone might want to add, in the future.

 

[groovygeckos]

THANK YOU !

NO MORE WORMMAN FOR ME !! IS FLUKER GOING TO BE ANGRY FOR MENTIONING THEIR NAME THAT WAY ?

 

[Gecko_LoL]

Do you think it's safe enough to continue my contract with Flukers (6 shipments of 50 crickets left) for my juvy leo, then switch over to reptilefood as soon as it's done? Seems like it might be safe enough for that period of time but I'm sure that if I kept going with Flukers I'm sure my gecko will get some very nasty disease someday...

 

[CheriS]

IS FLUKER GOING TO BE ANGRY FOR MENTIONING THEIR NAME THAT WAY ?

What way, that he said their label was on another companies order? I don't see what is to be angry about that. My understanding is that a lot of suppliers do this. And if he orders from one and its shipped with another's label..... I do not see where there is any false info on who they came from.

OR did you mean the whole thread? I don't imagine they are too happy about it...... but then they always have the right to come on and defend themselves if information is not truthful and tell their side

One thing about the BOI, you can post your personal experiences here with a company, product or person.... and no matter how mad someone gets, its not going to disappear.... Also, if you post false info, there are pleanty that are going to jump on that and expose it. It makes this one place that is used by a lot of the people in this industry, that information and facts can get out to public

 

[groovygeckos]

i sure did mean it !!

i was trying to avoid any problems with flukers feeders so i ordered from wormman instead !!!! only to find they drop-ship from them !! with the reputation" they " have i would like to have known before i ordered !!! and seems wormman is either running his bus. terribly or fluker is mad and getting back at him ( bad , too large , and miscounted shipments ) since worman is selling his worms at a better price !!!!!!! either way i do not like being caught in the middle ! have only been honest here about what happened so far , and these are only my thoughts here on what might be going on ! so &$@& me worm-people !

 

[groovygeckos]

dunno !

i only know the whole lot of very bad things i heard about flukers from here !! use your own judgement! i know my feeders will( hopefully) no longer come from them though !

 

[beardielvr]

Where is a good place to get crickets?

Hi all~
I read and re-read this thread, and I was wondering where is a good place to get crickets from that don't come from Fluker's?

 

[Gecko_LoL]

Well the three that seem to be parasite-free and kept in good conditions are reptilefood, armstrongcrickets, and timberline... I called Petsmart today and found out that they sell armstrongcrickets (at least where I live.) Although I don't like buying from commercial pet stores this might be a good idea for getting them in small amounts.