This is a question a lot of people ask at one time or another when using biological pest controls. Whether you’re asking a dealer, distributor, or even a producer, the answer will generally be slightly different, yet will stem from the same thing: the products’ extreme perishability. In any case, one simple fact you’re sure to love is that any shipping limitation issues you may encounter in the bug industry are there with your best interests in mind. Here’s why.
Dealers
When we say dealers we think of retailers with brick-and-mortar establishments such as garden centers. Dealers will generally keep some stock on hand. Specifically they can have ladybugs, some brands of nematodes, and praying mantis egg cases, but not much else. Dealers can often get other critters like spider mite predators, by way of special ordering them for delivery — direct to the customer or to be picked up at the store — the following week, but they shouldn’t have them on hand. If a dealer does have other speculatively-sold good bugs on hand, do inquire as to when they came in, to ensure it’s been that day or the day before, and observe the storage conditions.
No bugs should be kept in the store on a rack or on the counter (with exception to a display package and Hypoaspis miles). They should be kept in a flower cooler, fridge, or even an ice chest. Storage and handling are important considerations, not just to you, but to the dealer as well.
Distributors
Distributors tend to serve all markets in a the wider area. This may include several dealers. It may even include other, smaller dealer/distributors, the latter served by master distributors — which is what we are. Being that we actually handle and ship the mites, insects, and nematodes, and thus rely on in-bound shipments from producers, we deal in larger batches. Distributors are the grand consolidators of the industry. No producer handles all the good bugs, and no dealer can, but master distributors are the equipped to fill this demanding niche.
Distributor fulfillment limitations are directly related to this requirement to work in batches and rely on in-bound bug shipments. Distributors turn the product around immediately — after inspections, counts, some re-packaging, labeling, etc. — but can only do so once or twice a week, depending on other factors. Distributors shouldn’t and generally don’t buy on spec’ (barring a couple of special exceptions), thus if you want live products from them, you will need to order by a certain deadline and wait for the next custom batch to arrive. The benefit is that you the buyer gets fresh product. And freshness is worth the wait.
Producers
So after reading this so far you might think that any and all delays can be overcome by simply ordering directly from a producer. It’s not so, though, as producers also work in batches and don’t like storing good bugs any more than a good master distributor does. They collect in batches and tend to fulfill orders pretty much the way master distributors do. In other words, contacting producers directly isn’t generally the way to avoid shipping delays (none will ship over a weekend). it’s not like they can reach over and squeeze the eggs out of some big mother bug. It doesn’t work that way.
Contacting a producer, if they even take calls, may yield another surprise. You may also find you can’t get the variety of biocontrols you need. We deal with several insectaries (bug manufacturers, so to speak) that only produce one or two species. Like was written before, distributors are the grand consolidators of the industry. We’re like the hub of a wheel, the entire producer base our axle, and the dealers are the spokes.
But I Want It Now!
I won’t mention names, but one friend and long-time leader in our industry often says if they need it now then they screwed up already. We think that opinion is a little hard and unyielding, but in many cases it is the unadulterated truth. In our Necessary Info section we tell you (no doubt repeatedly) that using biocontrols successfully requires more from you than other forms of pest control. You must plan and prevent, among other things. If one does this right they are two weeks ahead at any given moment in time and real emergencies are neatly avoided.
Learning this, like waiting a bit for your good bugs to arrive, is in your best interest. This knowledge will serve your success. And if you succeed, then so do we. And fewer toxins ending up somewhere they shouldn’t be benefits us all.
