Rates & Free Shipping

2-Day (UPS/FedEx): $20 flat — free on orders over $120.
Overnight (UPS/FedEx Next-Day): $50 — $35 to CA, OR & WA — free on orders over $250.
Every live shipment is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

How We Pack

Queens and colonies are secured in transport containers with the moisture and ventilation appropriate to the species, then cushioned and insulated for transit. When conditions call for it, we include heat or cold packs to buffer temperature swings along the way.

Processing & Dispatch

Orders are prepared and conditioned before they ship. Where possible we send live orders early in the week, so packages aren't sitting in a facility over a weekend.

Weather Holds

Extreme heat and cold are the greatest risks to a live shipment. We may briefly hold your order to wait out a dangerous forecast on either end of the trip. If we do, we'll always let you know — it's only ever to protect your animals.

Receiving Your Order

Please bring the package indoors promptly — it's simply what's best for the animals. The moment it arrives, follow the steps in our Live Arrival Guarantee to document the unboxing.

Where We Can Ship

We ship within the United States only. We do not ship live ants internationally.

The movement and keeping of live insects is regulated, and the rules vary from state to state. Some species cannot be sent to some destinations, and our listings reflect the ranges we are able to ship. Rules change, and this page changes with them.

It remains the buyer's responsibility to confirm that keeping a given species is legal at their address before ordering. If you are unsure about your state, contact us before you buy and we will tell you what we know.

One thing we ask of every keeper: never release ants outdoors. Not a colony, not a single queen, not even a species native to your area. If a colony fails or you need to rehome it, email us and we will help you find it a keeper.