Heat & Cold Shipping Packs

Description

Heat and cold shipping packs can increase the chance of live delivery in the following conditions:

For Dubia Roaches:

• When expected temperatures are below 40°F or above 90°F.
• When expected temperatures are near the margins and the forecast is not reliable.

For Cleaner Crews:

Dermestidae and lesser mealworms can handle a wider temperature range than Dubia roaches. However, to be safe, we suggest heating or cooling for the same temperature range as Dubia. Cleaner crews tend to do a little better when it’s hot, but they usually don’t survive sub-freezing temperatures.

How Many?

You only need one per order. You’re buying temperature control for your shipment. We’ll add the appropriate number of packs based on your order and box size.

How Long?

We have 40, 60, and 72 hour heat packs. Choose the one that most closely matches your shipping method. If you’re unsure, 72 hours is the safest choice.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Heat & cold packs do not guarantee live arrival. They are not insurance and they do not prevent loss. They increase the chance of a successful delivery – often substantially. However, they aren’t perfect. You still need to exercise care when temperatures are high or low. A post office hold is a good idea if you can pick up the package shortly after delivery, and expedited shipping helps too. See below for more information.

How To Maximize the Chance of Success:

Here are our recommendations to maximize the chance of successful delivery, in order of effectiveness. (NOTE: “expedited shipping” is USPS Priority Mail, USPS Overnight and FedEx)

When it’s hot (particularly above 90°F), the main cause of loss by far is (a) being out for delivery all day in the heat and (b) being left in a hot location (mail box, porch). If you avoid these two things, you avoid 90% of the risk. A post office hold is usually adequate, but there are other options too.

1. Expedited shipping + post office hold + cold pack
2. Post office hold + cold pack
3. Post office hold (most popular and usually adequate)
4. Expedited shipping + cold pack + being home at delivery

When it’s cold (particularly below freezing), there are a few more ways for loss to occur, but it depends how cold it is. When it’s very cold (near or below freezing), losses are usually caused by (a) sitting in a mailbox, uncollected, with no heat pack, (b) sitting in a post office overnight, uncollected, with no heat pack, and (c) being out for delivery all day with no heat pack. If it’s 40°F, for example, you might get away with all of these things. If it’s 20°F, you might not get away with any of them.

1. Expedited shipping + heat pack + being home for delivery
2. Expedited shipping + heat pack + post office hold
3. Post office hold + heat pack (most popular option & usually adequate)
4. Post office hold (usually adequate but heat advised when very cold)
5. Heat pack

Expedited Shipping

Expedited shipping is available via USPS and FedEx. USPS Priority Mail is reasonably fast and reliable, with many packages taking only 2 days to arrive. To get a Priority Mail delivery estimate for your location, click the link below and enter 94705 for the zip code. You’ll get a map with zones showing delivery estimates at 1, 2, and 3 days. These times are not guaranteed, but the estimates seem reasonably accurate.

USPS Priority Mail Delivery Map (external link)

Our Temperature

In deciding whether or not to add heating or cooling to your order, don’t worry about the temperature here in Berkeley. Our weather is rarely a factor. Mail goes directly from our drop-off to Oakland International Airport 10 miles away. Airplane cargo bays are temperature-controlled, and the next stop in most cases is an airport near you. Your weather (as well as the weather at stops en route) are the most important considerations.

Your Weather Forecast

Consider your weather forecast primarily when deciding whether to include heating or cooling. You can check your forecast at Accuweather (external link).

If you have questions

Please contact us if you have any questions. We’re happy to help you decide whether or not to include heating or cooling with your order.