Questions about shipping bugs :)

[Sapphire]

Hi everyone!

Over the winter, my beardie decided he wants nothing to do with dubia anymore. Spectacular, since I've been letting them breed uninhibited for about six months, right?

Anyway, I'm planning to sell them (most likely through a for-sale thread here), but I need to know exactly what it's going to involve before I get myself into this crazy mess.

What kind of boxes do I need? Where do I get them?
What kind of shipping should I use to guarantee live arrival, but which isn't extremely expensive?
What needs to be inside the box so they'll be comfy for a few days in the mail?

Also, what's the best way to count them? I hate the idea of counting out hundreds of roaches by hand, and I definitely don't have time for that, anyway.

Thanks for any help!

 

[suzuki4life]

I advise you to research the legal aspects of doing this before you do. I haven't heard of any current enforcement BUT the laws are in place and its a risk you should consider.

Personally, use craigslist and sell locally to avoid headaches.

 

[Sapphire]

But a lot of people sell them on here... Why would there be a problem?

 

[suzuki4life]

because roaches are much like termites and many other insects listed as invasive species. One day the government might decide they have a problem with the situation. The laws are currently in place stating they are illegal to cross state lines without proper permits. I don't know of a single soul who has a permit. Don't know of a single soul who has been bothered. However, "if" they day comes, feel you have been warned and assumed the risks with knowledge.

When I sold out of state I packaged much like everyone else. Double boxed, insulated when nessary and heat packs as needed.

I bought my first run of boxes from Uline. However shipping costs and having to stock a bulk of boxes made just picking them up from my local walmart a better option.

i have since stopped selling to people I have to ship to. There is plenty of market in most places locally.

 

[DNADragons]

Aphis denies all permit requests for roaches. Hissers are legal and do not require a permit. It sucks but it's unenforced. On a state level no one cares, federally, well, who really knows anything about that branch of government

 

[Sapphire]

Wow, that's the first I've heard of any of this. I've ordered bugs through the mail plenty of times. Guess I'll look to sell them more locally. Thanks for the advice anyway!