23 replies to this topic

[Temperateants]

Would it be good to ask the customer to put the ants in the fridge for a few minutes to make them easier to dump? Camponotus can be pretty annoying to move, since they are too fast.

[ANTdrew]

Chilling ants does make them easier to move.

[AntsDakota]

Also, where is the guide? And if I mail a nearly dry tube how can I expect the recipient to move the colony into a wet tube?

You tell them beforehand. If they fail to follow your clear instructions, it’s their money to waste.

[ADHTCIAD]

In my experience parcel deliverymen don't really care a lot what you write or put on the package except for the label they have to scan. So make sure the label is on top. Food is not needed, water is the only thing important during shipment.

 

I also wouldn't ship ants if it is really hot or cold (but high temperatures are a lot more problematic). You never know where the packages are stored and how hot it can get in the trucks.

I know first hand from working at a post office that packages don't get handled with a lot of care, even if it says fragile. Fragile just means it goes on top of other stuff, instead of other stuff going on top of it. In a warehouse or a truck (usually) larger items stack in the middle and smaller ones in racks on the sides. The only way someone will take real care is if it says LIVE ANIMALS/INSECTS on it. As far as temperature well, same as outside in the truck at least.

 

Mine should arrive in a day or two, I will upload pics of how they were packed and the state they are in.