how to ship dubia roaches

[Ta2Smitty]

I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't focus on breeding these guys for some extra dough? I have plenty of space to add a more bins and they seem to love this Texas heat, I have babies galore.

My question is how does one go about shipping these things?
Along with counting them out for shipping?

 

[Symbiot]

The way I have seen them being shipped is in two separate boxes. One slightly bigger box then a smaller box inside that one where the dubia roaches are kept with a small piece of egg carton inside. That way they do not move too much during shipment and when you open the bigger box they are not all lose on the inside.

 

[Ta2Smitty]

Dumb question, So do you tell the post office that there's roaches inside of the boxes?

 

[Fastedmclintock]

Dumb question, So do you tell the post office that there's roaches inside of the boxes?

Good question hahah!

 

[Maurer3D]

Dumb question, So do you tell the post office that there's roaches inside of the boxes?

No, you just label the box Fragile Live Animals (which is what you do no matter what kind of animal you are shipping).

I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't focus on breeding these guys for some extra dough? I have plenty of space to add a more bins and they seem to love this Texas heat, I have babies galore.

My question is how does one go about shipping these things?
Along with counting them out for shipping?

Counting is easy, you don't. Most people use a weight formula, basically say you are selling baby Dubias. Well they have a weight of 1/30th to 1/40th a gram, which means if you weigh out 33 grams that should be 1000 to 1300 roaches. This applies for all sizes you just need to figure out the weight/count average for the ones you are selling.

As for the shipping, smaller roaches that easily fit into deli cups use those packed inside a priority shipping box. For larger roaches in a box, then inside another box.

Pictures of deli cup Shipping method.
Step 1: Get supplies together. Deli Cup with cloth lid, Egg Crate Pieces, Tape, and Roaches (in this case 33 grams of babie Dubias est 1000 to 1300 roaches)

Step 2: Put everything together. Also place a few baby carrots in for food. Tape is applied to prevent the lid from popping off.

Step 3: Place in Box with news paper to hold it in place. In really hot or cold weather you will also need to use proper heating or cooling packsLabel box Fragile Live Animal and ship priority 1 or 2 day.

 

[Ta2Smitty]

So they've never asked you whats inside the box?

 

[Maurer3D]

So they've never asked you whats inside the box?

Nope, as long as it is labeled "Live Animal(s)", and aren't a dog, cat, gerbil, hamster, or mouse, it really doesn't matter. As long as you aren't shipping them to Florida (They are illegal in Florida without a permit).

USPS Animal shipping Statement

Mailing Live Animals

Live animal shipments (including poultry, reptiles, and bees) have very specific packaging requirements. Though you can drop them off at any Post Office, it might take longer to ship depending on the availability of transportation. With a few exceptions, pets and warm-blooded animals such as cats, gerbils, hamsters, mice, and dogs can’t go in the mail.

Live animal shipments using Express Mail® should expect a 2- to 3-day transport, so try shipping early in the week and avoiding holiday weeks with limited acceptance days and times. Express Mail postage will not be refunded unless the delivery or attempted delivery is more than 3 days after the day of mailing.

The packaging requirements basically just say to make sure the box is escape proof, and can meet the animals basic needs for 2 to3 days (heating or cooling (as needed), airflow, water, and food).

 

[charlie476]

I would stick with labeling the box as live insects. You know what most peoples reaction is when you say "roaches".