FAQ — Bacteria Supply

Question 1

What does CFU mean and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

CFU stands for Colony Forming Unit — it measures the number of viable microbial cells in a product. Higher CFU counts mean more active organisms per gram, which translates directly to faster establishment and stronger results in soil, gut, or surface applications.

Question 2

How long do your products stay viable?

Accepted Answer

Most of our formulations carry a 24-month shelf life from the manufacture date when stored correctly. Spore-forming strains like Bacillus subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens are especially stable. Check the lot label for the exact best-by date.

Question 3

How should I store microbial products?

Accepted Answer

Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Ideal temperature range is 50–77°F (10–25°C). Avoid freezing liquid formulations. Once opened, reseal tightly and use within 90 days for best potency.

Question 4

What is the difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains?

Accepted Answer

Gram-positive bacteria (like Bacillus and Lactobacillus) have a thick peptidoglycan cell wall and are generally more robust and shelf-stable. Gram-negative bacteria (like Pseudomonas) have a thinner wall with an outer membrane and are often more metabolically versatile. We carry both — product pages indicate the Gram classification for each strain.

Question 5

How does bulk pricing work?

Accepted Answer

Bulk pricing unlocks automatically at quantity thresholds: 15% off at 10+ units, 25% off at 25+ units, and 40%+ off at 50+ units. For orders above 100 units or custom formulations, submit a bulk quote request and our team will respond within one business day.

Question 6

What happens after I submit a bulk quote?

Accepted Answer

Our team reviews your request and sends a formal quote by email within one business day. Once you approve the quote, we generate a secure payment link and begin fulfillment. Large orders may require a 50% deposit.

Question 7

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Affirm (buy now, pay later), and Afterpay. All transactions are processed securely through Stripe.

Question 8

Can I cancel or modify my order?

Accepted Answer

Orders can be cancelled or modified within 2 hours of placement. After that, fulfillment begins and changes may not be possible. Contact us immediately at orders@bacteriasupply.com if you need to make a change.

Question 9

How long does shipping take?

Accepted Answer

Standard shipping within the US takes 3–5 business days. Expedited 2-day and overnight options are available at checkout. Canadian orders typically arrive in 7–10 business days.

Question 10

How is shipping calculated?

Accepted Answer

Shipping is calculated based on your ZIP code and order weight. Orders over $75 qualify for free standard shipping within the contiguous US. Use the shipping estimator on the cart page for an exact quote before checkout.

Question 11

How do I track my order?

Accepted Answer

Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking number by email. You can also view live tracking status in your account dashboard under Order History. We support USPS, FedEx, and UPS tracking.

Question 12

Do you ship internationally?

Accepted Answer

Currently we ship to the US and Canada. International shipping to additional countries is on our roadmap. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when your region becomes available.

Question 13

What is quorum sensing and why does it matter for my application?

Accepted Answer

Quorum sensing is the mechanism bacteria use to detect population density and coordinate group behavior — including biofilm formation, enzyme secretion, and sporulation. Our strains are selected for strong quorum sensing activity, which means they establish faster and communicate more effectively once applied.

Question 14

Are your products safe for humans, animals, and the environment?

Accepted Answer

All strains we carry are classified as Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) — the lowest risk category, considered safe for healthy adults. Our agricultural and livestock products are OMRI-listed or equivalent. Always follow label directions and use appropriate PPE when handling concentrated cultures.

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