Bugoodle Posted June 29, 2020 Report Share Posted June 29, 2020 I could use some help. Whats the best cooling pack? I've found some cold packs online, ones sold on bug sites, but they only last 24 hours! I ship via Priority Mail usps which takes between 1-3 days delivery. I found one that last 96 hours, and keeps the temps at 2-8 celsius but they are like $600! Any one have any ideas? I don't want the beetles to bake! Thanks for help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JunkaiWangisme Posted June 29, 2020 Report Share Posted June 29, 2020 You don’t typically need it. Pack it in a box with paper padded in all sides, and make sure it gets there in 3 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goliathus Posted June 29, 2020 Report Share Posted June 29, 2020 Have been using these for years without any issues; available at most dollar stores, in various sizes - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugoodle Posted June 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2020 Thanks guys! What substrate should I put in the containers with the bugs? I'm focusing on bess beetles, rice beetles(scarab), and tiger beetles. I got millipedes in dirt(one dead), and BIC's Harlequin Flower beetle in a cup with a dry paper towel(I guess it dried out.. Harlequin Beetle came alive and well though.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BensBeasts1 Posted June 29, 2020 Report Share Posted June 29, 2020 Yeah you really don't need it, Stepp Goins sent me some larvae and they arrived very safe without a hot or cold pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted June 29, 2020 Report Share Posted June 29, 2020 If it's hot out, you'll wanna make sure they got good lid and maybe side ventilation, and not to soak the shipping medium. Poor ventilation, high humidity and very high temps lead to steam-cooked inverts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garin Posted June 30, 2020 Report Share Posted June 30, 2020 A lot depends on the temperature of where you are sending it and the temperature of where you are sending it from. If it's very hot, like above 90, it's better to send it Express Mail so it gets there in 1 or 2 days max with a cold pack in an insulated box. I don't think any regular cold pack (maybe the one the cost $600, wow) will last more than 2 days. Peter sends all his live stuff when its hot via Express with a regular cold pack. You can chance it sending it via Priority but I have found sometimes its ok and sometimes its not. That is just my experience but it appears others have had no problems so I guess it just depends. Peter sends way more stuff than we will ever will so I assume he knows from experience. And just FYI, USPS Priority mail has been having delays lately. Read this link for more info: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/USPS-Coronavirus-Updates-Expected-Delivery-Changes?r=8&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugoodle Posted June 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2020 Ok, thanks. Wish I already did my bug hunt. Tomarrow is 90 degrees and the rest of the week is 88 degrees with thunderstorms every day. That might of kept things cooler. Maybe all the storms will result in a cool front next week, and I need to get those ice packs. So I should keep my containers more dry? I totally understand heat and humidity thing. Can I add at least some quencher jell if they get thirsty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugoodle Posted July 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2020 I'm about to ship some beetles soon, I really want and need to know what substrate I should put in the containers I'm putting them in. I though about leaf litter. Is that ok? I don't want to dry out my beetles. I'm shipping via Express. PLEASE please someone help!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goliathus Posted July 21, 2020 Report Share Posted July 21, 2020 Adult beetles? Moistened paper towels - enough that they largely fill up the container, and leave air pockets throughout. The beetles will burrow into it and feel secure. Bounty brand works well since it's thick and absorbent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugoodle Posted July 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2020 Yes. Adult Rice Beetles(scarab) and Green June Bugs. Rice beetles love moisture, but I was worried that they would steam, that's all. Good to know that they can have have moisture now. Thank you sooo much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted July 21, 2020 Report Share Posted July 21, 2020 Yeah, just moisten some paper towels, wring out excess moisture so it's not dripping, poke plenty of small holes in the lid and sides, and they should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garin Posted July 21, 2020 Report Share Posted July 21, 2020 If the temps are high, I would insulate the inside of the box and put in a cold pack just to be safe. You can just use bubble wrap to insulate the inside of the box, it doesn't have to be the fancy styrofoam type but of course thats even better. The cold packs are cheap like Goliathus mentioned earlier, can get them at the dollar stores. And definitely the moistened paper towels as mentioned above. With all that, it should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugoodle Posted July 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2020 I don't have any bubble wrap, but when you say styrofoam, is packing peanuts ok? I have a lot of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garin Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 You can line the box with those free padded envelopes you get free from the post office. They have bubble padding in them. https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/priority-mail-padded-flat-rate-envelope-P_EP14PE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mantis Menagerie Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 I just received a package from Peter, and despite 90-degree temps, all six grubs I ordered made it (including 4 Goliathus!!!). The package had three layers. The first two were nested, small Priority Mail boxes. One was slightly larger, but they fit together tightly (I can measure them when I get a chance). These two nested packages were put in a large Express envelope next to an ice pack. The grubs were placed in cups of flake soil (even the Goliaths). I also sent some roaches recently in similar temps, and they were in a 12 x 9 x 7 Priority Mail box. The bottom of the box had a piece of high-density polystyrene insulation foam with a paper-wrapped ice pack on top. The roach container went on top (70 B. giganteus with slightly moist paper towels in a large, rectangular Ziploc Tupperware that had about a 2-in x 2-in mesh ventilation hole in the top) and it was also wrapped in multiple layers of paper. The remaining space was filled with reused packing peanuts and I put a piece of Styrofoam on top. All the roaches made it with Express 1-day shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthroverts Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 Phase 22 cryopacks or homemade cool packs made from expanded water crystals that are then frozen work great for just about all invertebrates. Thanks, Arthroverts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mantis Menagerie Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 Just now, Arthroverts said: Phase 22 cryopacks or homemade cool packs made from expanded water crystals that are then frozen work great for just about all invertebrates. Thanks, Arthroverts I had not heard about using those polymer crystals before. What do you put them in? I assume a Ziploc is too flimsy to reliably prevent leakages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthroverts Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 34 minutes ago, The Mantis Menagerie said: I had not heard about using those polymer crystals before. What do you put them in? I assume a Ziploc is too flimsy to reliably prevent leakages? Double bag Ziploc/Great Value (Walmart brand) works great. I make sure to press the air out of both bags to help prevent the seal from bursting as the crystals move around in transit. I also make sure the bag is never more than half full and all the crystals have fully expanded. Thanks, Arthroverts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugoodle Posted July 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 I can't find a cool pack anywhere I checked the dollar store, staples, pet stores, and the UPS store, to no avail. I need them shipped out tomarrow. Temps are going to ramp back up next week. I'm so stressed right now. Now I know how the bugs feel. I just really want them to survive their trip. Please, I need an alternative to cool packs. Do you think insulating with the styofoam/bubble wrap with a bag of ice will work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 I honestly don't bother with heat packs for any of my orders, so long as they've got good ventilation they're usually OK. Just shipped two orders out in 90+ degree weather earlier this week without heat packs or styrofoam insulation of any kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthroverts Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 5 hours ago, Bugoodle said: I can't find a cool pack anywhere I checked the dollar store, staples, pet stores, and the UPS store, to no avail. I need them shipped out tomarrow. Temps are going to ramp back up next week. I'm so stressed right now. Now I know how the bugs feel. I just really want them to survive their trip. Please, I need an alternative to cool packs. Do you think insulating with the styofoam/bubble wrap with a bag of ice will work? The water crystals I suggested above are sold at many home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's; basically these. Thanks, Arthroverts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugoodle Posted July 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2020 Thank you. It's a little late now though. I just got a freeze pak for them. I hope it works. I'm using an insulated UPS bag I turned inside out. This pads the bottom and sides so far. I'm not sure how to rig the top up. Also, should I put holes in the package for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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