Winter is peak delivery season. Boxes on the porch, packages stacked in the garage, cardboard everywhere. It feels festive… until those boxes start bringing in more than socks and sweaters.
As Pest Nerds, we hate to break it to you, but cardboard is one of the biggest winter pest attractants. And when pests are desperate to escape the cold, your deliveries can turn into an all-you-can-hide buffet.
Why Pests Love Cardboard So Much
Cardboard checks all the boxes for overwintering pests. It's warm, it's porous, and it's easy to chew through. For pests looking to survive winter, cardboard packaging is basically a luxury apartment.
Here's why pests can't resist it:
Warmth & shelter from cold winter temperatures
Easy material to chew, tunnel, and nest inside
Often stored in garages, basements, or entryways—prime pest real estate
Frequently exposed to warehouses, trucks, and shipping docks before reaching your home
By the time a box hits your doorstep, pests may already be hitching a ride.
The Pests Most Likely to Ride Along
Winter deliveries can introduce several unwanted guests, including:
Carpenter Ants
These wood-loving pests don't eat cardboard, but they love nesting near it. Once inside, they can move on to structural wood, causing serious damage over time.
Cockroaches
Cardboard is one of their favorite hiding materials. Roaches are often transported through shipping and warehouse systems and can quietly spread once boxes are brought inside.
Rodents
Mice can chew through cardboard in seconds. A stack of boxes in the garage or basement can become a cozy nesting site before you even realize they're there.
Spiders & Other Insects
Where there are insects, spiders aren't far behind. Boxes stored undisturbed are perfect places for webs, egg sacs, and hiding pests.
The Big Mistake Homeowners Make
One of the most common winter habits we see?
Leaving packages outside, in the garage, or stacked inside for days.
That delay gives pests time to:
Escape the box
Find hiding spots in walls, crawl spaces, or storage areas
Set up shop before you ever see them
And if cardboard is damaged, damp, or torn? That's an open invitation.
How to Handle Winter Packages Like a Pest Nerd
You don't have to stop online shopping (we'd never suggest that). Just handle deliveries with a little pest awareness:
Open packages outside whenever possible
Break down boxes immediately after opening
Inspect for insect activity before bringing items inside
Store items in plastic bins instead of cardboard
Never keep cardboard long-term in garages or basements
Think of it as pest control prevention disguised as recycling motivation.
Why Winter Is the Worst Time to Ignore Cardboard
During winter, pests are:
Actively seeking warmth
Centralized in fewer hiding spots
More likely to move indoors
That makes cardboard-related infestations harder to notice, but easier for pests to establish. By spring, what started as a box problem can turn into a full-blown infestation.
When to Call the Pest Nerds
If you're noticing:
Increased pest activity near storage areas
Rodents in garages or basements
Ants or roaches appearing during winter
Spiders popping up around box storage
…it's time to bring in professional help.
At Greenix Pest Control, we focus on preventative treatments, thorough inspections, and stopping pests at the source, especially during winter, when they're easiest to target.
Don't Let Cardboard Chaos Ruin Your Winter
Your holiday packages should bring joy—not pests. With a little awareness and help from your local Pest Nerds, you can keep winter deliveries from turning into a pest problem that lasts all year.
Greenix is here to protect your home—boxes and all.
