Is foam ok for shipping?

sean-820

Arachnobaron
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For shipping t's, is foam as in padding liek foam ok for lining a box for shipping or do you have to use styrofoam for insulation? Ive tried with some spare foam and the box is solid and would be fine physically, but my main concern is i think stryrofoam is an isulator and im not sure how much it would help with the weather compared to normal foam. I would think styrofoam box would soon have the interior temperature equal the exterior temp, but im not sure if it will delay the heat that long.
 

WARPIG

Arachnoangel
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You can purchase foam insulation at your local home improvement center, cut it to size and line you box with it. It is perfect for shipping your T's.

I use this method, plus I further insulate the T's w/ newspaper.


GL

PIG-
 

sean-820

Arachnobaron
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Would the non insulating foam work since i just have it lieing around, or should i just spend 10$ for styrofoam? Also, during summer should i use a cold pack to ship or just ship during a not so hot day? And hat is the general shipping company and style that is used (ex next day, same day...)
 

WARPIG

Arachnoangel
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Would the non insulating foam work since i just have it lieing around, or should i just spend 10$ for styrofoam? Also, during summer should i use a cold pack to ship or just ship during a not so hot day? And hat is the general shipping company and style that is used (ex next day, same day...)
The foam you have is fine. Try shipping on the coolest days possible. I have been shipping slings all summer, all over the country with no cold packs, both overnight and priority with no losses.

T's, as long as packaged well, and delivered to their destination within the shipping timeframe, should be fine.

PIG-
 

vvx

Arachnobaron
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You can purchase foam insulation at your local home improvement center, cut it to size and line you box with it. It is perfect for shipping your T's.

I use this method, plus I further insulate the T's w/ newspaper.


GL

PIG-
I've always noticed that the foam insulation (at least the white stuff) at the home improvement store is labeled "insect protected" (or something) over it. I can't imagine they actually spray it with pesticides, they probably just mean insects won't dig through it, but I'm not sure (so have never used it for packing.)
 

sean-820

Arachnobaron
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The foam you have is fine. Try shipping on the coolest days possible. I have been shipping slings all summer, all over the country with no cold packs, both overnight and priority with no losses.

T's, as long as packaged well, and delivered to their destination within the shipping timeframe, should be fine.

PIG-

Ok thanks just to be clear, its foam i think made for chair cushions, its not hard, but it would absorb most physical damage, but i dont think it insulates
 

Nomadinexile

Arachnoking
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Very few fabrics and materials actually "insulate" themselves. All "insulation" does is create air pockets which slow the heating and cooling process which is constantly happening. The reason people use the "white firm stuff" is that is provides structure to the box as well as trapping air. It is not needed though. And a thorough and completely secure packing can be accomplished with many other materials. For example: If you have a hard plastic container containing the slings securely, you could use soft foam as the plastic tupperware will protect from crushing. If however, you're only putting them in straws wrapped with a rubber band, you may want to spot for the white board. I will say that it does add a "professional" look to your shipment. This will impress some people and annoy others because they think you wasted money. (I pay for all packing supplies out of pocket)

I have shipped out multiple orders from 105* Texas this summer without a loss. All of my shipments have been shipped express to shorten exposure, and all have been insulated to more or less degrees. I have not used a cold pack.
 

Nomadinexile

Arachnoking
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If it's foam, it insulates. It will trap plenty of air, and should insulate almost as well or as well as white board. Another thing that will help, is moistening paper towels or toilet paper inside their containers. As it evaporates, it will cause evaporative cooling. :)

*But, don't forget, that the paper towel you wadded up when wet will expand as it dries. Don't add so much that it will crush your babies as it dries and expands!

Ok thanks just to be clear, its foam i think made for chair cushions, its not hard, but it would absorb most physical damage, but i dont think it insulates
 

sean-820

Arachnobaron
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If it's foam, it insulates. It will trap plenty of air, and should insulate almost as well or as well as white board. Another thing that will help, is moistening paper towels or toilet paper inside their containers. As it evaporates, it will cause evaporative cooling. :)

*But, don't forget, that the paper towel you wadded up when wet will expand as it dries. Don't add so much that it will crush your babies as it dries and expands!
Ok thanks thats what i sort of figured on the insulation (styrofoam), but want sure if it did help that much.

The stuff i have is sort of like the new memory foam matresses (its not though). The way i have it packed (planning for a 4.5" avic) is about 2" foam bottom and top with foam on sides with some grooves to hold the containor. In the containor i have literally a dounugt like ring of tp and paper towels with a padded bottom and top. Would it be ok it for air holes u inserted tubing though a hole as my padding covers pretty much all holes. My though was to use airline like tubing then wrap the end with some padding so it cant hurt the t.
 

Nomadinexile

Arachnoking
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I am sorry, but could you rephrase this? I don't quit understand. But if I am getting anything, you are worried about air? Don't worry about it too much. If you have 2 safety pin holes not blocked you will be fine. Book lungs don't use a lot of oxygen in 24 hours. I put air holes in my containers, but I have had people who don't even do that and they arrive alive. Just use your best judgement, but they don't need much. good luck. (rephrase for specific response to your question below) thanks,ryan


. Would it be ok it for air holes u inserted tubing though a hole as my padding covers pretty much all holes. My though was to use airline like tubing then wrap the end with some padding so it cant hurt the t.
 

sean-820

Arachnobaron
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ok np.

With all of the padding in the containor, all the airholes are made are practically covered by padding making them pretty useless. My question was if i could add a straw like tube though the hole and padding so air can get from an empty space in the box to the containor. The next thing i said was i would pad the end of the straw in the containor and probably put the straw a bit lower then the padding wrapped around it so that the t cant injure itself on it.

Ive never shipped before, so im a bit paranoid.
 

Nomadinexile

Arachnoking
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Got it. You could do that. Seems a bit much to me. But if you have the time, I doubt the receiver will mind. But I don't think you need to do that. Anyway, I gotta go pack one up myself... have fun

ok np.

With all of the padding in the containor, all the airholes are made are practically covered by padding making them pretty useless. My question was if i could add a straw like tube though the hole and padding so air can get from an empty space in the box to the containor. The next thing i said was i would pad the end of the straw in the containor and probably put the straw a bit lower then the padding wrapped around it so that the t cant injure itself on it.

Ive never shipped before, so im a bit paranoid.
 

sean-820

Arachnobaron
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Ive got one more question, When shipping, how long before shipping can you feed the t? I know with fish you usually ship them on an empty stomach to keep water quality, but im not sure if a full stomach would be a problem or not.
 

Nomadinexile

Arachnoking
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It doesn't have to be "empty" so to speak. That would take a year with a tarantula! It would be best if they weren't stuffed I would think. But I have seen and had to ship some that were "full" and they have done fine. Packed correctly.
 
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