Live springtail cultures may appear inactive or unresponsive upon arrival. This is often a normal, temporary response to transit conditions and does not necessarily indicate a DOA (dead on arrival) situation. Please review this page fully before contacting support.
Why Cultures May Appear Inactive
During shipment, live cultures are sealed in airtight containers and may be exposed to warmth from insulation or heat packs. This can result in carbon dioxide (CO₂) buildup, which causes springtails to temporarily shut down and conserve energy. This state is protective and reversible once oxygen levels are restored.
Immediate Recovery Steps
If your culture appears inactive upon arrival:
- Open the container briefly to allow fresh air exchange
- Reseal the container
- Repeat venting every 30–60 minutes for the first few hours
- Place the culture at a constant room temperature
Most cultures gradually regain activity as oxygen levels normalize.
24-Hour Recovery Period
All cultures must be allowed a minimum of 24 hours after delivery to recover before being considered non-viable.
During this period:
- Do not feed the culture
- Activity may return gradually rather than all at once
- Cultures may be added to terrariums immediately if desired
In many cases, noticeable activity increases within just 30 minutes.
Feeding After Recovery
If a culture requires recovery:
- Wait an additional 24–48 hours before feeding
- Do not feed if there is any unpleasant odor coming from the culture (odors will neutralize as cultures stabilize)
Feeding too soon can interfere with recovery.
When a Culture Is Considered DOA
A culture may be considered DOA if no activity is observed after:
- Proper venting has been completed
- A full 24-hour recovery period has passed
This timeframe is important, as many cultures recover slowly once transit stress resolves.
Documentation
If a culture does not recover after the recovery period:
- Please provide clear, non-blurry photos or video
- Photos must be taken with flash
Clear documentation helps ensure the situation can be assessed accurately and resolved as quickly as possible.
Confirmed DOA Resolution
Despite careful packing, weather monitoring, and shipping controls, confirmed DOA events can still occur, particularly during extreme weather, extended transit times, or carrier handling and storage conditions.
If a DOA is confirmed:
- A replacement will be issued if weather conditions permit safe reshipment
- If reshipment is not safely possible, the order will be cancelled and refunded, allowing the buyer to reorder when shipping conditions are more appropriate
Resolutions are handled case by case, with animal welfare as the top priority.
Additional Notes
- A basic care sheet is included with all first-time orders
- This procedure works in conjunction with the Shipping Policy and Returns & Refunds Policy
- Most cultures recover fully when given time and proper ventilation
Questions
If you have questions after completing the recovery period, please contact me by submitting a form here.