How do you ship roaches?

I will hopefully be shipping dubia roaches in the near future and was wondering how to ship them. I have an idea, but kind of hesitating. I was thinking either a box inside another box or a deli cup inside a box, which way is better? Any input would be appreciated!

It would depend on how many you are shipping. A small amount (50-100) you could use deli cups. If multiple hundreds to thousands, the well-sealed box within a box is a good way to go. Be sure to tape up all the outside edges of the inner box so they can't get out of the seams. Use egg crate or other cardboard inserts so the roaches have something to hold onto during shipping.

It might also be good to place instructions on how to unpack the roaches taped on the outside of the inner box, just in case. Generally we have the roach tub set up and then take the inner box and open it up inside their new home and then use the egg crate/cardboard to transfer the majority of the roaches out of the inner shipping box into the new enclosure. Then just shake the inner shipping box thoroughly. I would have a separate tub to put the shipping boxes in JUST IN CASE there are any stow-aways. Since I mostly get lateralis and live in a warm climate, I don't want to risk any escapees!

Originally Posted by Spyral

It would depend on how many you are shipping. A small amount (50-100) you could use deli cups. If multiple hundreds to thousands, the well-sealed box within a box is a good way to go. Be sure to tape up all the outside edges of the inner box so they can't get out of the seams. Use egg crate or other cardboard inserts so the roaches have something to hold onto during shipping.

It might also be good to place instructions on how to unpack the roaches taped on the outside of the inner box, just in case. Generally we have the roach tub set up and then take the inner box and open it up inside their new home and then use the egg crate/cardboard to transfer the majority of the roaches out of the inner shipping box into the new enclosure. Then just shake the inner shipping box thoroughly. I would have a separate tub to put the shipping boxes in JUST IN CASE there are any stow-aways. Since I mostly get lateralis and live in a warm climate, I don't want to risk any escapees!

Thanks for the info. I will give unpacking instructions to who ever buys from me, good idea!

The best way is to double box them. Put egg flats in the inner box then put them inside and seal it up. Don't forget to write loose inside on that box. Then place that box inside another box just large enough to hold that box. That away it will prevent and possible escapes incase the box gets damaged in transit.

Originally Posted by charlie476

The best way is to double box them. Put egg flats in the inner box then put them inside and seal it up. Don't forget to write loose inside on that box. Then place that box inside another box just large enough to hold that box. That away it will prevent and possible escapes incase the box gets damaged in transit.

Thanks of the advise, appreciate it. This was my plan from the beginning, but just wanted to be sure. Thanks again!

I've been kind of wondering about this as well. We have only been shipping babies so far 1,000 at a time, and putting them in a large deli cup with some pieces of egg crate. But now its getting cold (we're in MI) and I'm not sure what to do about that. I've gotten beardies shipped during winter and they come in a cooler with a heat pack. But for roaches I'm not sure if the cooler would make it not cost effective to sell them during the winter. Where do people get those styrofoam coolers that seem to fit perfectly in the shipping box? expensive?