Shipping and Returns

Ordering

When placing an order, customers must be prepared to receive and raise their live insects. That’s why we provide three ordering options:

• Shipped with Live. This is the ideal option when you are ready to receive and raise your live insects now.
• Shipped with voucher to redeem later. If you are not sure when you will be prepared to receive your live shipment, this is the option for you. It allows you to make your plans and then redeem your voucher for your live insects when you are ready for them. Please note that a shipping and handling fee is required when the voucher is redeemed.
• Shipped with a prepaid voucher to redeem later. If you are giving this item as a gift or simply want to take care of the shipping & handling of your order up front, this is the best option. The prepaid voucher means you are able to redeem on our website at your convenience.

Shipping

At Insect Lore, the safety and well-being of your insects is of utmost importance. Shipping live insects adds an additional level of complexity to the shipping process. Our goal is to get your insects to you as quickly as possible.

We have two shipping options: 

• USPS Shipping for $10.95

  • An average of 5-7 days in transit. 

• Expedited Shipping for $14.95
  • An average of 2-3 business days in transit.
  • Please note, if your order is shipped via FedEx they do not provide weekend delivery. FedEx orders placed on Thursday or Friday will be delivered on Monday or Tuesday. 

It may take 48 hours to process and prepare your live order. For the most accurate information, be sure to check your shipping confirmation email for your tracking number. Please remember that our shipping facilities are closed on the weekends and holidays. 

Please note that all transit estimates are approximate.

• Order at a time that allows you to observe and enjoy the entire life cycle of your live insects. Plan for any school breaks, holidays or extended weekends that might interrupt your project. You must be prepared to watch over your caterpillars on a daily basis. Keep in mind that you will release your adult insects between 3 to 4 weeks after you receive your live shipment.
• Ship your insects to an indoor address, if possible. It is best to have live shipments sent to a building, where temperatures are controlled, rather than to an outdoor mailbox, where temperatures may be extreme.
• Track your package online so you are prepared to receive them. You must be available to open the package containing your live insects immediately upon receipt. They will not survive in a hot mailbox or warehouse. Please do not leave live shipments unattended.

• During extreme weather, it may be necessary to delay shipping our insects for their protection. Our insects travel all over the country. Even though it may be cool in your area, traveling through Arizona or Texas in the heat of the summer may be very dangerous for our insect friends.
• Due to import restrictions, Insect Lore cannot ship outside the Continental United States. We cannot ship live insects specimens to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Canada or Mexico. We cannot ship live product overseas. 

Orders shipped to California are subject to California Sales Tax.

Insect Lore is not responsible for lost or stolen vouchers. A $25 fee will be charged for returned checks.

Track Your Order

After you submit your order, you will receive your order number and tracking instructions via email confirmation. Use this order number when contacting us about your order. If your order has not arrived within the specified shipping time, please contact Insect Lore ("Contact Us"). Remember to include your name, address, email address, phone number and the order number.

Update Your Account

Have you moved? Do you have a new email address? Or do you work at a new school? Log in to Your Account now to update your information.

Help Center

Our most frequently asked customer service questions are answered here.