Heat & Cold Shipping Packs

Product Details

Protect your insects during shipping by using temperature control. Heat and cold packs increase the chance of successful live arrival in these situations:

For Dubia Roaches:

• When your daytime temperature is below 40°F or above 80°F.
• When the temperature is forecast to be outside the safe zone (above), the day of delivery, or forecast temps look OK, but the weather may change.

For Cleaner Crews:

Dermestids and lesser mealworm cleaner crews can handle a slightly greater temperature range than Dubia roaches. To be safe, we suggest following the guidelines above. Cleaner crews tend to do a little better when it’s hot, but poorly when it’s cold.

Temperature control increases the chance of live delivery, but it is not guaranteed. It doesn’t insure against loss. Still, use caution during extreme weather. A post office hold is best when hot; with cold, combine a heat pack and hold. Expedited shipping also helps minimize travel in bad weather.

How To Maximize the Chance of Success:

Here are our recommendations to maximize the chance of successful delivery, in order of effectiveness. (”Expedited shipping” refers to USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express)

When it’s hot (above 80°F): The main cause of loss is (a) being out for delivery all day in the heat and (b) being left in a hot location (mailbox, porch). Avoiding these two situations cuts 90% of the risk. A post office hold is usually sufficient; however, other options are available.

Here are our suggestions for when it’s hot, in order of effectiveness:

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

When it’s cold (near or below freezing), losses mostly happen if insects sit in a mailbox or are out for delivery all day without a heat pack. At 40°F, risks drop, but near freezing, losses are more likely. Remember, Dubia roaches are tropical.

Here are our suggestions for when it’s cold, in order of effectiveness:

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

Expedited Shipping

Expedited shipping is available with USPS. Priority Mail usually delivers in 1-3 days. Priority Mail Express is either overnight or 2-day delivery, depending on your location. For a delivery estimate, enter 94705 as the origin zip code in the link below. Times aren’t guaranteed, but they’re usually accurate.

USPS Priority Mail Delivery Map (external link)

We also offer USPS Priority Express, which is overnight or 2-day, depending on your location.

Our Temperature

Don’t worry about the local temperature here in Berkeley. Our climate is mild, and mail quickly reaches a temperature-controlled airplane cargo bay at the USPS regional hub just 10 miles away. Your local weather is what matters the most.

Your Weather Forecast

Most of the time, you can decide whether to include temperature control based on your weather conditions. You can check your forecast at Accuweather (external link). Sometimes, extreme national or regional weather events en route can be a factor, but this is uncommon.

For Recurring Shipments

Add temperature control to recurring shipments if your local temps may rise above 80°F or fall below 40°F at any point during the year. We’ll check your local temperatures before each shipment and choose a heat or cold pack as needed. You’ll get a refund when it’s not needed.

Also consider adding a post office hold for pickup during summer or winter. This is actually the best way to prevent DOAs in transit. You can add a post office hold during checkout, or contact us for an existing order, and we’ll add (or remove) it for you.

If you have questions

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