Frequently Asked Questions

SpoodFood specializes in live feeder insects, fruit fly cultures, and feeder-culture supplies for jumping spiders, mantises, dart frogs, reptiles, and other insect-eating animals.

We focus on clean cultures, healthy feeders, and practical supplies for hobbyists who want reliable food for their animals.

No account is required to purchase fruit flies and the fruit fly supplies available in our public catalog.

Some additional feeder categories may be available only to approved customers. If you are looking for something you do not see, contact us.

Some feeder categories are limited to approved customers. The products you see may depend on the access associated with your customer account.

If you believe you should have access to another category, contact us and we will be happy to help.

Availability varies, but we may offer several flightless or flight-reduced fruit fly varieties, including Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila hydei strains.

Check the current catalog for what is available now.

Drosophila melanogaster are smaller fruit flies and generally reproduce more quickly.

Drosophila hydei are larger and are useful for animals that have outgrown melanogaster but still need relatively small prey.

Most cultures we sell are selected specifically for feeder use and are flightless or flight-reduced depending on the strain.

Check the individual product description for the characteristics of a specific strain.

Production time depends on the species, temperature, culture age, and environmental conditions.

Melanogaster generally begins producing sooner than hydei. A newly started culture may need time before you see significant numbers of adult flies.

Not necessarily. A culture may arrive with larvae or pupae present before adult production has peaked.

Shipping temperature and culture age can also temporarily affect activity. Give the culture time to stabilize after delivery. If you are concerned, contact us and include a photo.

Keep cultures indoors at a stable room temperature in a well-ventilated location.

Avoid direct sunlight, hot garages or vehicles, refrigeration, excessive humidity, and very cold rooms.

No. Fruit fly cultures should generally be kept at room temperature. Refrigeration can slow or damage the culture.

Contents depend on the specific kit, but kits may include culture cups, ventilated lids, media, excelsior or similar climbing material, and starter flies.

Check the individual product description for the exact contents of each kit.

Excelsior gives fruit flies additional surface area for climbing, resting, and pupating while helping keep them away from wet culture media.

Fruit fly cultures need airflow. Proper ventilation helps manage moisture and allows the culture to breathe while keeping the flies contained.

Yes, when available. We may carry deli cups, ventilated lids, culture media, labels, excelsior, and other culture-building supplies separately.

Non-Express live orders: Monday through Wednesday

Express and Overnight live orders: Monday through Thursday

Dry goods: Monday through Friday

Shipping schedules may change because of holidays, extreme weather, carrier delays, or animal-safety concerns.

We try to avoid having live insects sit in carrier facilities over weekends or during periods when delivery delays are more likely.

Our shipping schedule is designed around the welfare of the feeders and the likelihood of successful delivery.

Yes. We may delay a live shipment when temperatures or weather conditions create an unreasonable risk to the animals.

Extreme heat, freezing temperatures, storms, or carrier disruptions may affect shipping.

Our Live Arrival Guarantee applies to eligible live shipments sent using Express, 2-Day, or Overnight service.

If you receive a shipment with a problem, contact us as soon as possible and include clear photos of the product and packaging.

Contact us promptly and include your order number, a description of the problem, and clear photos of the product and packaging.

Carrier delays are outside our direct control, but we will help evaluate the situation. Contact us if a live shipment is delayed or arrives in poor condition.

Because live feeders and cultures are perishable biological products, they generally cannot be returned like ordinary merchandise.

If there is a problem with a live order, contact us so we can evaluate the situation.

Contact us as quickly as possible. If the order has not been packed or shipped, we may be able to cancel or modify it.

Live feeder inventory changes constantly. Contact us and we may be able to tell you when more will be available or point you toward another trusted source when appropriate.

Yes. Tell us what animal you are feeding, its approximate size or life stage, and what it is currently eating. We can help you choose an appropriate feeder.

Yes. We sell culture supplies and starter products, and we are happy to help customers understand the basic process for maintaining their own feeder cultures.

Email: sales@spoodfood.com

Phone: 858-201-6838

Location: San Diego, California

For order problems, include your order number whenever possible.