/

Live Food in Hot Weather

Published on
June 18th, 2026
How Hot Weather Affects Live Food - Monkfield Reptile

How hot weather affects live food

While most people associate live food losses with the cold winter months, hot weather presents an equally significant challenge and one that can catch even experienced stockists off guard. Unlike cold conditions, where many species simply enter a dormant state and recover once warmed gradually, heat stress can be irreversible, making prompt action on arrival essential.

Crickets, Mealworms, Morioworms and Calci Worms are all cold-blooded and unable to regulate their own body temperature. In excessive heat, their metabolism accelerates rapidly, which combined with the warmth generated by insects packed together in transit, can quickly prove fatal. Humidity compounds the problem further, accelerating bacterial growth within containers.

Here is what you need to know to protect your stock and keep losses to a minimum.


Our commitment to your order during hot weather We monitor weather forecasts closely throughout the summer months. In the event that temperatures pose a significant risk to livefood in transit, we may contact you to discuss delaying despatch until conditions improve. We would always rather have that conversation early than send an order that arrives in poor condition - protecting your stock and your reputation with your customers is as important to us as it is to you.

Where possible, we will work with you to find the most suitable despatch window and will always aim to keep disruption to a minimum.


What to do when your live food arrives in hot weather Speed matters on arrival. Unlike cold weather where you have a little more time, heat damage can escalate quickly so it is important to act as soon as your order is delivered.

Important: Do not leave boxes sitting in a vehicle, warm stockroom, sunny porch, or on a doorstep. Unpack immediately on arrival.
  1. Unpack outer boxes straight away and lay all packs and tubs out so that fresh air can circulate freely around them.
  2. Move stock to a cool, shaded area - away from direct sunlight, south-facing windows, or any heat sources.
  3. Do not place livefood in a fridge or freezer. A sudden temperature drop is just as harmful as the heat itself.
  4. Inspect your stock promptly and remove any dead individuals before they affect the rest of the container.
  5. For bulk bags, gently agitate the bag to spread the insects within, then lay flat in a cool area with good airflow.
  6. Maintain an ambient storage temperature of 18°C – 25°C and allow stock time to settle before use.

If you have any concerns about an upcoming order during a hot spell, please don't hesitate to contact the team before despatch, we are always happy to advise.


Storing live food during prolonged hot weather Managing stock through a heatwave requires a little extra attention. A few things to keep in mind:

  • Keep storage areas between 18°C – 25°C regardless of outdoor temperatures.
  • Be aware that areas which are cool in the morning can warm significantly by the afternoon - particularly in summer.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation in storage rooms; still, warm air is one of the biggest risks to live stock.
  • Keep containers away from south-facing windows, radiators, or any equipment that generates heat.
  • For Crickets in particular, monitor closely - die-off can spread rapidly through a container in warm conditions.

Species note: Mealworms and Morioworms are generally more resilient in heat than Crickets, but sustained warmth will accelerate pupation. Calci Worms tolerate warmth better than most, but still benefit from prompt unpacking and cool storage.


If your order arrives in poor condition Despite every precaution, hot weather can occasionally impact livefood during transit. If your order arrives in poor condition, please raise a case with our customer service team as soon as possible - ideally on the same day of delivery.

To help us resolve your query as quickly as possible, please include the following when raising your case:

  • Your order number
  • Photographs of the affected packs or tubs clearly showing the condition on arrival
  • Confirmation of which specific products are affected

Please note: Cases raised promptly and with supporting images allow us to investigate and resolve queries much more efficiently. Cases raised without an order number or photographic evidence may take longer to process.


Why keeping live food in peak condition matters for your customers As with our cold weather guidance, the quality of livefood has a direct impact on the animals being fed. Healthy, active insects encourage natural hunting behaviours in captive reptiles, supporting their physical and mental well-being, something that is increasingly important to today's reptile keeper.

Active, well-presented stock is also simply more appealing in a retail environment. Customers are far more likely to purchase and return when the livefood they see is lively and in good condition.

Check out our full range of live food below!

/