Microterra Labs – Shop Policies & FAQ

📦 SHIPPING POLICY

We ship all live cultures Monday through Wednesday only.
This ensures your package doesn’t sit in a warehouse over the weekend.
Orders placed Wednesday after 12 PM through Sunday ship the following Monday.

All orders include:

  • Insulated packaging when needed
  • Moisture control substrate to prevent dehydration
  • “Live Harmless Invertebrates” labeling for postal safety

We use USPS Priority Mail (2–3 day) or Ground Advantage depending on weight and weather.
Tracking numbers are provided once shipped.

If your local temperatures are above 90°F or below 40°F, please delay ordering until conditions are safe.

💀 LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE

Microterra Labs guarantees live arrival on all cultures when the following conditions are met:

  • Buyer provides a correct shipping address.
  • Package is retrieved within two hours of delivery.
  • Any issues are reported with photos of the unopened container within that time window.

If the culture arrives dead or destroyed, we will issue a free replacement or refund, buyer’s choice.
Guarantee void for weather extremes, incorrect addresses, or unclaimed packages.

🔄 REFUNDS & REPLACEMENTS

  • Refunds or replacements apply only to the live contents, not to shipping costs.
  • Replacements ship on the next available Monday–Wednesday window.
  • If a replacement cannot be safely shipped due to weather, a refund will be issued.
  • We do not accept returns of live or opened cultures.

⏳ PROCESSING TIMES

Typical processing: 1–2 business days after payment clears.
We occasionally hold shipments briefly during temperature spikes or storms to protect the cultures.
If this happens, you’ll get a message with the new ship date.

🌿 CARE RESPONSIBILITY

All cultures are shipped healthy and active. Once received, it’s the buyer’s responsibility to maintain proper conditions.
Basic guidelines:

  • Isopods: keep substrate moist and feed leaf litter + calcium.
  • Springtails: keep substrate damp, feed brewer’s yeast.
  • Fruit Flies: keep warm (72–78 °F) and do not refrigerate.

Detailed care guides and QR links are provided with every shipment.

❓ FAQ

Q: Do you ship outside the U.S.?

Not yet. Live exports are restricted. U.S. shipping only.

Q: What happens if my order arrives late?

USPS delays can happen. Cultures are packed to survive 3–5 days in transit, but if you receive a dead culture, contact us immediately with photos — we’ll make it right.

Q: Can I combine multiple species in one order?

Absolutely. We’ll pack them securely in separate containers and combine shipping whenever possible.

Q: Are these wild-caught?

No. All cultures are lab-bred, monitored for parasites and mites, and maintained under controlled conditions.

Q: Can I pick up locally?

At this time, no. We’re mail-order only for consistency and quality control.

Q: How often do you restock?

Weekly. Follow our shop or Instagram @Microterra.Labs for restock updates and new species announcements.

🧬 ETHICS STATEMENT

Every live organism sold by Microterra Labs is raised with care and ecological awareness.
We do not sell invasive species or wild-collected animals.
All cultures originate from long-established, captive-bred lines sourced from trusted breeders.