First I would like to state I am not a believer in the shipping of hermies, but understand this is done at times.
But I am not a believer of shipping of hermies during the winter months, I have read too many horror stories of shipments gone wrong during the winter and frozen hermies.
However I also like to see information stated more on the factual side, as opposed to 'hearsay', he said she said situations as what has been happening quite a bit the last few months.
For this reason, I wrote to the company myself and asked about the mite out break that was recently mentioned on another site. Here is my letter and the reply I just received:
from Marie (aka ladybug15057)
to customerservice@xxxxxxxxxx
date Mon, Dec 27, 2010 at 6:36 PM
subject Hermit crab order
I am writing in regards to a statement that has been made on a new hermit crab forum. The last few months the information that has been passed along has been proven not to be accurate and why I am writing directly to you. The statement is:
"Okay, well here's some more information. I have found out through some of my other information sources that LHC has recently had a very bad outbreak of mites, so I would check the crabs very carefully when they do arrive. That is THE LAST thing you want in a tank your size.'
Thank you for any insight to this matter.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from Live Hermit Crabs
to "Marie (aka ladybug15057)"
date Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 10:34 PM
subject Re: Hermit crab order
Hi Marie,
Unfortunately, we received a shipment from our exporter and the strawberries had mites. We were not aware as they were closely inspected and none were seen.. I spoke to my exporter and he advised that crabs can come from the wild with mites, and these were collected shortly before they were shipped to me. We went and ordered 200,000 of the predatory mites and added them to our habitats to ensure the mite issue would be resolved. We shipped this past week, and did 2x salt water baths to be sure we didnt see anything prior to shipping. All were clean. This has been very disappointing to me as I have worked very hard to regain trust in livehermitcrabs com since I took over the business.
Thank you,
Customer Service
LiveHermitCrabs.com
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Please do note too however, it is stated on their page:
WE OFFER GUARANTEED LIVE DELIVERY ON OVERNIGHT ORDERS ONLY. WE DO NOT HAVE A GUARANTEE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS (NOVEMBER 1ST THROUGH MARCH 31ST). WE SHIP WITH 24 HOUR HEAT PACKS, AND 48 HOUR WHEN NEEDED.