Cardboard is a common material used for packaging and storage. However, it can become an appealing target or habitat for various insect pests. Understanding why certain bugs are drawn to cardboard and how to safeguard your stored items is important.
Pests Attracted to Cardboard
Several insects infest cardboard, leaving distinct signs. Silverfish, small, wingless insects with a silvery appearance, feed on starches and cellulose in paper products. Their activity results in irregular holes, chewed edges, yellowish stains, or tiny black droppings.
Cockroaches are attracted to cardboard’s dark, sheltered spaces and starch-based glues. Infestation signs include gnaw marks, dark, pepper-like droppings, and a musty odor.
Termites are drawn to cardboard due to its cellulose content. They chew through it, creating tunnels and leaving sandy residue or mud tubes.
Booklice, tiny, soft-bodied insects, do not consume cardboard directly but feed on mold and fungi on damp paper. Their presence indicates high humidity and can cause surface grazing or translucent patches on paper items.
Why Cardboard is Appealing
Cardboard’s composition and structure make it inherently attractive to pests. Its primary draw is cellulose, a plant-based material that forms its main component. Many insects, including silverfish and termites, digest cellulose, making cardboard a food source. Adhesives used in manufacturing often contain starches, providing an additional, easily digestible food source for pests like cockroaches and silverfish.
The physical structure of corrugated cardboard also offers significant appeal. Its layered design and internal flutes create numerous dark, secluded spaces that serve as ideal hiding spots, shelter, and nesting. Cardboard also absorbs and retains moisture, creating a humid microenvironment conducive to pest survival and reproduction.
Protecting Your Cardboard
Preventing pests from infesting cardboard involves several practical steps focused on environmental control and proper storage. Storing cardboard items in plastic bins with tight-sealing lids is a highly effective method, as plastic does not provide a food source or suitable habitat and creates a physical barrier. Elevating boxes off the floor, for example, on shelves or pallets, can further reduce moisture absorption and limit access for crawling insects.
Controlling humidity in storage areas is also essential, as many pests thrive in moist conditions. Using dehumidifiers in basements, attics, or garages can help maintain low humidity levels, typically below 50%, which discourages mold growth and pest activity.
Regular inspection of stored items for any signs of pest activity, such as droppings or gnaw marks, allows for early detection. Maintaining cleanliness by regularly vacuuming and decluttering storage spaces removes potential food sources and hiding spots, further deterring pests. Promptly breaking down and disposing of empty cardboard boxes also removes potential harborage areas.