live feeder delivery with no food for trip?

[lele]

Hey gang,

I had to dump my breeding superworm colony due to a collapse with unknown cause so I tried a new supplier (no names) and I received them with no food for the trip. I was shocked, especially since they came across the country. Of 100, 28 survived and 3 of them died later in the day. When I contacted purveyor they said they never send food and don't have a problem. This is a company that has been in business a long time. They are based on East coast - had I known the supers were coming from west coast I would not have ordered from them since weather was still quite warm.

Just curious if anyone else has gotten supers - or any other feeders - without food for trip?

lele

 

[Will Hayward]

I have, but they have always arrive "Next Day" and within 24 hours.


I would think that spagnum moss would be good for packing them.

 

[Eric Adrignola]

I think most of the superworms I've ordered came without food. Some places ship them with potatoes, but most don't bother. Without food, superworms can live for months. If they're big, they pupate, or just eat eat other.

For a few days, it's not a problem. The heat is probably what killed them.

I order them by the 1000 and never have problems shipping across country without food - via USPS.

 

[lele]

Eric, you're right, they can go a long time and will just eat their container mates, but I've usually gotten them with potato for the trip.

Will, I don't think I have ever paid for feeders overnight and usually just get Priority which is what these were. I knew we were in for 2 days of 90+ weather but thought they were coming from just a couple states away: shipped Wed. figured deliv Friday.

The site says they ship their crickets from CA but not their supers or else I would have waited or ordered elsewhere. Even many Southern East coast shippers are not sending due to their high temps. Of course, my VERY picky boys, Darwin and now CYRUS, too(!) won't even eat them! This is typical for Darwin, but I do not know what is up with my Cy guy

Well, the company finally acknowledged my 2nd email and will reship on Monday. Need to get my colony going again. Sure wish the boys had a better taste for roaches....

 

[davemailcall]

I ordered silk worms. Took 3 days USPS priority, they shipped with food and a small ice pack, and I had no casualties. Of course, my chameleon is changing that!