How to Sell a Pet Insect

If you are breeding insects and have the desire to sell some of them, then the market for your product is wide open. Whether you wish to sell bait insects, pest-control insects or pet insects, there is a thriving market for these products. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Choose an insect to sell. If you breed an insect now, you may choose this species. Certain species have a wider market than others. Researching this prior to making a commitment will save you time and money.
2. Check with your state's games and parks commission for restrictions on non-native insect species. Transporting and distributing non-native species is controlled in some states and specific counties.
3. Network with pet shop owners. Many pet shops don't carry insects and those that do carry a select variety. Seek their input on what pet insects customers have been asking about and see if you can fill that niche.
4. Investigate pricing. Depending on the market at the time and your overhead, insect sales can be profitable. Cockroaches sell starting at $20, stick insects at around $5. More exotic pets such as scorpions and tarantulas can sell for more.
5. Advertise your products in a variety of ways. Flyers at pet stores are nice, but the Internet offers a much better venue. Web sites such as Kingsnake or Faunaclassifieds can get you the traffic you want. Placing ads in specialty magazines such as Reptile can be expensive, but will get eyes on your ad.

Tips & Warnings

• Pet stores may seem a logical venue for sales, but many will only offer half value for a cash purchase, maybe more in store credit.
• FedEx ships live animals and insects quickly. Insurance is a good idea for more exotic insects.