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I am an avid online shopper, and there is nothing I enjoy more than browsing from the comfort of my own house and having items arrive at my doorstep the very next day. However, beyond the convenience of quick deliveries, your latest haul might be hiding a rather unwelcome surprise.
According to studies, packaging materials such as corrugated cardboard boxes, crates, or even pallets offer the ideal transportation for pests to hitch a ride into your home.
Such critters include roaches, beetles, ants, weevils, and even rodents (gross) that can all enter your home via delivery. At worse case, you might not even notice they are buried inside your box right away — spiders, in particular, have a way to stay out of sight. And insects like silverfish or beetles can live inside cardboard and packaging materials long before they’re discovered.
So before you excitedly bring your packages inside, these are the key things you need to check first — to stop pests in their tracks.
What attracts pests to your packaging?
First of all, how do pests get inside your packaging? Typically, pests are in search of shelter and potential food sources, and corrugated cardboard boxes offer the perfect environment.
In addition, pests such as silverfish, cockroaches, and termites feed on starchy substances such as paper, glue, and cardboard. Plus, this is the ideal home for mice who love warmth, shelter, and gnawing at cardboard.
Unfortunately for us, pests or larvae can enter and hitch a ride, buried in our cardboard boxes or packaging material before sealing. In some cases, certain pests can chew through thin materials like plastic films and cardboard.
That’s why it’s important to check the warning signs of pests before bringing them inside your home. And the last thing you want is for these uninvited guests to start breeding and multiplying in your home.
3 things to look out for before bringing packages inside
1. Look for visible pests
The number one thing to check is for visible pests such as ants, silverfish, cockroaches, or spiders. These pests tend ot hide in the folds or creases of cardboard or paper packaging.
If you do spot any bugs inside the box, throw out the cardboard in your trash or recycling bin immediately.
2. Signs of damage
Another thing to look for is signs of damage. Carefully inspect all packaging (outside and inside) for signs of damage such as holes, tears, or gnaw marks. In rare cases, small holes or chewed edges can be caused by rodents, especially when stored in the garage or basement.
3. Check for signs of droppings
Keep a close eye out for any droppings or feces located inside or around your boxes. You should also be on the lookout for egg casings or live insects that might be lurking when you open the cardboard flaps. Additionally, if you smell a musty odor coming from inside your box, this may signal a hidden pest infestation, particularly in areas with limited airflow.
Plus, avoid letting your cardboard boxes pile up, which can increase the chances of inviting pests indoors. Of course, if you suspect a pest problem, it’s always recommended to call your local pest control company to handle it before you get an infestation. Also, you might want to check out these 5 plants you should never place near your patio if you want to avoid pests.
So the next time you order products online, be sure to inspect your boxes first (or you'll end up with another costly issue to deal with!).
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