I've been breeding mealworms for about a year now and I have a new customer who lives in South Dakota and I'm located in Minnesota. It is about 20° here and will be below 20 at night. Just wondering when I ship the meal worms to South Dakota if I should put a heat pack in or not, I have heard pros and cons of doing that and I'm also going to be shipping beetles does anyone have any recommendations?
Mealworm breeding
- Thread starter HHMarie
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Hi there, I would definitely use a heat pack or even 2 [ rarely ] if the box is large. The heat packs will generally raise the temps. in the box no more than 20-30 F depending on how much insulation you use. If you've never used them you have to take them out of the package and shake them to activate the heat . Then you can wrap them in newspaper securely and add enough newspaper [ or other shipping paper ] so the heat packs are not in direct contact with the worms. BTW, what heat packs are you using, there is a variety out there. The Uni -heat brand 40 hour are the standard for shipping animals. If you're using hot hands they don't last as long but they get very hot when the temp. spikes, close to 150 at the surface of the actual heat pack.
I am using Uniheat 60 hour multipurpose jumbo shipping warmer.
Do you recommend using a heat pack if I am shipping to a customer within my state (minnesota)? Shipping is typically 2 days but it is in the low 20's here and even colder at night
I am just concerned about them overheating!
Do you recommend using a heat pack if I am shipping to a customer within my state (minnesota)? Shipping is typically 2 days but it is in the low 20's here and even colder at night
I am just concerned about them overheating!
You definitely need a heat pack or the worms will freeze to death. A 60 hour heat pack does not get very warm, be sure to open it at least an hour before packing, shake it as directions say to be sure to activate it and then wrap it lightly in newspaper. If the box is not well insulated the heat pack can lose it's effect. Do you have an insulated box ?
Oh no, nothing will survive below 20 F without proper insulation. Follow the same instructions that you see here. Mealworms will survive shipping at about 30 -70 F , Only 1 small hole on each side or no holes at all. Go to their website to see what their shipping kits consist of to see how the styrofoam insulation goes in the box. And instead of just taping the heat pack to the lid you can wrap it lightly in newspaper as well, then tape it.
https://www.facebook.com/SYReptiles/videos/how-to-ship-your-reptiles/1042619539094545/
https://www.facebook.com/SYReptiles/videos/how-to-ship-your-reptiles/1042619539094545/
RachaelAnn
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Since you're raising mealworms, something you might be interested to know is that mealworms can eat and digest styrofoam. Their excrement comes out mineral rich and can be used as fertilizer. You can feed your worms and do something good for the environment at the same time. I've been doing it for years.
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