Ellen or POCKETS,<P>Could you please forward that link to me (connie@cadien.com).<P>Thanks<BR>Connie & Gilles<BR>Minnie & Wally []http://www.sugarglider.net/ubb/images/icons/blush.gif[/]<P>------------------<BR>Glider Love Forever

So, what are we to do about the crickets then if all the farms are feeding mesh to the crickets?<P>sounds like we need to find an alternative to crickets unless we raise our own. <P>Would it be safe to feed crickets in the colder months and just skip feeding them in the summer? Or is this something we are going to have to deal with all year round if coming from the southern states?

Here it is!<P><A HREF="http://herpwantads.com/forums/Inquiry/posts/4599.html" TARGET=_blank>http://herpwantads.com/forums/Inquiry/posts/4599.html</A>

I just posted there. They managed to get off-topic and start talking about a particular company, totally missing the point that this is killing their animals!

Judie, I would like to see everyone that feeds crickets (and mealies for that matter) contact the supplier and if you have to "drill" them about the feed and bedding. IF you buy from a pet store find out from them who the supplier is and call them. IF we can get the larger of the farms to start paying attention to the safer way to raise these bugs then that is the only way to change things. Many of the farms already have gotten alot of emails and calls. BUt as they slow down without answeres so do THEY. Just kinda drop the ball.<P>There are some folks that I am working with that are trying to come up with amounts of toxins in feed and bedding and then go to the USDA. I don' t think these farms want that to happen. Not by these guys.<P>Again WE have to educated and even take business away from them to have them learn that so many animals are dying from thier products.<P>As far as seasonal, from what I have learned there is a better chance in the winter, BUT the same food and bed is there and only slows down the production of the fungus.<P>I really am working hard on this and so is Pockets. If I can get the packet togeather that I am working on I will send them out to the farms. THere are just so many farms that we don't know about. Like bait shops and such.<P>Any help would be very welcomed.<P>------------------<BR>Love and kindness is a gift. Use it freely

Judie, what about the protein supplement that Clara is checking into? <A HREF="http://www.sugarglider.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001834.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.sugarglider.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001834.html</A><BR>It probably won't work as a replacement for the crickets, but certainly would help to add protein, correct? I too have stopped feeding them because of my own fear. No one said stop, but I don't want to take the chance. <p>[This message has been edited by Gliderluv (edited 08-29-2001).]

Please everyone read this post as it could be a cause of aflatoxins:<P><A HREF="http://www.sugarglider.net/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001300.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.sugarglider.net/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001300.html</A><P>Ellen has your baby cereal been opened a long time? Could that be the problem?

Beck,<P>Thanks for the info on the baby cereal, I too would never have thought to put it in the fridge.<P>Connie & Gilles<BR>Minnie & Wally []http://www.sugarglider.net/ubb/images/icons/blush.gif[/]<P>------------------<BR>Glider Love Forever

I just called the farm where the mealworms that I feed my gliders come from. They also supply crickets and superworms. They said that they raise their mealworms in a wheat bedding, and that they don't use a bedding for their crickets, and feed them Purina Cricket Chow. The lady there had never heard about the aflatoxin thing, or corn mash or hash or whatever it is. You can check them out online. They are <A HREF="http://www.flukerfarms.com" TARGET=_blank>www.flukerfarms.com</A><BR>

now the question is.. what's in purina's cricket chow?<BR>

Tiffani and I, have been following the aflatoxin discussion (through message boards and egroups). Which HIGHLY inspired us to do a little research of our own, with our supplier of crickets. <BR>We have always bought our crickets from <A HREF="http://www.SunshineMealworms.com" TARGET=_blank>www.SunshineMealworms.com</A> and gave them a call to see if they used chicken corn mash or corn products, of any sort, for their cricket bedding or feed. <BR>They assured us that they did not, as they were aware of the afltoxin problem, plus did not find the corn feed or bedding to be suitable for their "bugs." <BR>However, when we inquired if they did random testing for toxins, they replied "that they do not, as they have not had problems or complaints to justify the tests" "if it is not broken, why fix it."<BR>Soooo we had thought that if we all called them, 1-800-322-1100, and asked that they test (letting them also know, if such tests were done, it would guarantee more business), then maybe we can be assured that there is a safe place to get crickets.<BR>Granted... we are not trying to push Sunshine Mealworms, is just that they initially do not use corn products, so why not nudge Sunshine, and other Cricket suppliers, a step further in testing for toxins to guarantee the health of their stock. <BR>Thus providing us with a healthy supplier of "Bugs." <BR>Was just a thought... and it is a toll free number, so why not??<P>Michelle and Tiffani<BR>From the Sugar Pouch Crew []http://www.sugarglider.net/ubb/images/icons/smile.gif[/]<BR><A HREF="http://www.members.home.net/the-sugar-pouch" TARGET=_blank>www.members.home.net/the-sugar-pouch</A><BR>

Michelle and Tiffany,<P>You must have called Sunshine shortly after I did. I called them yesterday and asked about their food. I was told that they feed mill run wheat bran, but had recently started experimenting with chicken mash. The person I talked to had never heard of aflatoxin so I told them about the problems and pointed them to this and the original post. He promised to investigate the issue.<P>Connie<P>------------------<BR>Glider Love Forever

Beck, it looks like my post got deleted.<BR>The reason I put it in the fridge (baby cereal) is my Mother always did. Along with the flour. I had said I use a box of baby cereal a month. I do it out of habit. My husband thinks I am nuts. He said the "mold" on the cereal has nothing to with with aflatoxins. He named it and I cant remember it.<P>I too will contact Sunshine tomorow. Thanks SugerPouch.<P>------------------<BR>Love and kindness is a gift. Use it freely

Connie...<P>LOL.. small world..!! Though I must say, that I am upset that Sunshine informed me that they had never used corn mash, when they told you a different story.<BR>Unfortunately... I forgot the woman's name that I spoke too (lol.. Tiffani gave me a lecture on name taking after), so I will have to call again, and inquire some more.<BR>Do you recall to whom you had spoken too??<P>Michelle, aka "The Sugar Glider Nutter"<BR>The Sugar Pouch<BR>the_sugar_pouch@hotmail.com<BR><A HREF="http://www.members.home.net./the-sugar-pouch" TARGET=_blank>www.members.home.net./the-sugar-pouch</A> <BR>proud mommie to Mee'sa & Tico, Luna & Mr. Kinks, Sassie & Fraz

Since I started this thread I am asking that it be closed. IT has gotten really long.<BR>If someone wants to reopen a new thread please do so.<P>As I get more info I will of course post it.<P><P>------------------<BR>Love and kindness is a gift. Use it freely