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Shipping roaches?

snowgyre

snowgyre

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My dubia colony seriously needs to be thinned and I've been thinking about selling a very large group on Fauna. Problem is that I'm not sure how to go about shipping these guys. I have insulated boxes so that is not an issue, but in terms of a suitable container and then the method of shipping itself (e.g. overnight, two day, ground, etc.) I'm not sure. So, here are two questions I have for anybody:

1. What kind of container do you ship the roaches in? I've noticed that they produce a lot of condensation when placed even in a reptile deli cup with paper towels and small ventilation holes.

2. Do you ship via overnight, two-day, or ground?

Thanks ahead of time!
 
I have not shipped them, but I have received them. (two different people from different areas) From the shipments I have received they have been in plastic tupperware containers with holes poked in them and some egg crate. One seller said they would have preferred to pack their in a snake bag, but they were out. I have had superworms shipped that way, so I can see that as another option. They weren't in insulated boxes though I am sure that wouldn't be a bad idea. All of mine arrived 100% perfectly healthy.

Mine were shipped two-day. I had an issue with USPS on one and they ended up being in the box for 3 days before I got to them - no problems at all though they were all alive.
 
Back when roaches were first gaining popularity I raised and sold them on a fairly large scale for several years.
I had two basic methods of shipping them depending on species and quantity.
One was to use an insect cup, like these http://superiorshippingsupplies.com/the-store/125/shopbrowse

For larger orders of 1000 plus roaches, or just a few hundred of a large species, I packed them just like crickets, put egg crate in a cardboard box and taped it up well.
I have used the actual cricket type boxes with the screen sides, but I've done fine with just plain boxes as well.
I always shipped simple priority USPS for standard orders.

In my own case, I ceased taking orders from mid June until mid August because rates of loss increased. Any orders shipped during that time period were charged more for cold packs and FedEx shipping.
Except for the coldest times of winter though priority mail in uninsulated boxes worked just fine and was economical.
It was just easier for me to suspend sales during the worst of summer and the coldest of winter than it was to go to insulated boxes etc. The colonies took advantage of those times to bolster their numbers anyway.

If you're just going to sell one large lot to thin your colony you may want to opt for more protective packaging. They will ship just as well packaged as you would a reptile. Priority overnight shipping isn't necessary though.
 
I won't mention breeder by name or company so it's not off hand advertising but I recieved 3 orders from him. 2 Lg and one small. The large orders were loose in a secure box with egg crate and wrapping paper that was inside a slightly larger box. Inside taped on top was instructions to open box in a secure container. The smaller one was inside a large delicup with egg crate. About 98% live arrival this way.
 
cardboard boxes, one inside the other. Be sure to tape the corners and all seams well on both boxes plus follow all rules through the carrier you plan to ship with.
 
Thanks for the advice, everybody! And no worries about taping the seams and corners, I am fastidious and paranoid about shipping.
 
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