Shipping Live Isopods in Hot and Cold Weather: What to Expect Where You Live

Your isopods don't care about your zip code. They do care about the weather on both ends of the trip.

We ship live isopods and springtails all over the contiguous U.S., which means our little crustaceans ride through desert heat, Midwest freezes and Gulf Coast humidity. Isopods are tough, but a cardboard box in a hot truck is not a vacation. Here's how we handle the weather where you live, and the few things you can do to help.

What we do for every live shipment

• Check the weather on both ends: here, and at your address.
• Pack for the conditions: insulation, heat packs, cold packs or CryoPaks, depending on the season and destination.
• Label it clearly: every box is clearly marked as live animals, so the carrier knows to handle it with care.
• Ship on Tuesdays: so boxes don't sit in a carrier warehouse over the weekend.
• Hold when it's unsafe: if the forecast says no, we wait. A few days' delay beats a box of sad isopods every time.

All of it is backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee when its requirements are followed.

What to expect where you live

Desert Southwest: Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Albuquerque

Summer here is no joke, for people or pods. During heat waves we may hold shipments until there's a safer window, and we pack to keep things cool. If you're not home when UPS arrives, a box on a sunny porch can overheat fast, so consider Hold for Pickup at a UPS location. Winters are usually easy shipping season.

Texas and the Gulf Coast: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, New Orleans

Long, hot summers plus serious humidity, and the occasional surprise freeze. Expect possible summer holds and fast air shipping. Louisiana note: a few species can't ship there (see Where We Ship).

Florida and the Southeast: Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville

Heat and humidity most of the year, plus storm season. We watch the forecast at your address for heat and tropical storms. Florida note: a few species can't ship there (see Where We Ship).

Midwest and Great Lakes: Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Columbus, Indianapolis, Milwaukee

Winter is the big one. We pack for cold and may hold shipments during deep freezes and big storms. Spring and fall are the sweet spot. Bring your box inside right away; a frozen porch is just as bad as a hot one.

Northeast: New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington, D.C.

Cold winters, nor'easters and busy carrier hubs. We plan around storms and holiday volume. Apartment dweller with no safe spot for packages? Hold for Pickup is your friend.

Mountain West: Denver, Salt Lake City, Boise

Big temperature swings, sometimes in the same day, plus cold winters at altitude. We pack for the colder end of the forecast.

Pacific Northwest: Seattle, Portland, Spokane

Mild and damp most of the year, which isopods love. Watch out for the occasional summer heat wave or winter cold snap east of the mountains.

California: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose

Our home state! Shorter trips mean UPS Ground is an option here (and in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon). Inland valleys still get scorching summers, so heat holds can happen. In Southern California, qualifying orders can choose free Local Pickup instead.

What you can do on your end

• Watch your tracking. If something looks stuck or delayed, contact us right away.
• Bring the box inside quickly. For direct deliveries, any Dead on Arrival claim must be reported within 1 hour of the carrier's delivery time.
• Use Hold for Pickup if you won't be home, or if we ask you to. Sometimes we require it during extreme weather.
• Open it at room temperature. Let a cold box warm up gradually indoors, and get a hot box out of the sun before opening.
• Have the enclosure ready. Damp side, leaf litter, hides and food, so your new arrivals can settle in right away.
• Order supplies separately if you need them sooner. Mixed orders ship on the live-animal schedule.

Weather shipping FAQ

Do you ship isopods in winter?

Yes. We pack for the cold and ship when the weather here and at your address is safe. During extreme cold we may hold your order until it warms up.

Do you ship isopods in summer?

Yes, with heat in mind. We pack to keep shipments cool and hold during heat waves when it isn't safe.

What happens if my order is held for weather?

It ships on the next safe live-animal shipping day. Animal safety comes before getting a box out the door.

What is Hold for Pickup?

Your package waits at a UPS location instead of on your doorstep. You set it up with UPS after you get your tracking number. Details are in our LAG and shipping guide.

Ready to start a colony? Browse all isopods or check where we ship.

Thanks for rolling with us!