Are Cockroaches Attracted to Cardboard Boxes?

“I’ve been saving delivery boxes, but I’m worried about roaches. Is cardboard giving them somewhere to hide or something to eat?”

Yes, cockroaches are attracted to cardboard boxes as they provide sheltered hiding places to live and reproduce. Cardboard is also a potential food source, especially when damp or food-stained.

Does cardboard attract roaches even when it looks clean?
Yes. Corrugated cardboard has narrow channels between its layers to hide in, while folded flaps create dark, protected spaces. Stacked boxes can create hiding spots and make inspections harder, cleaning harder, and nests harder to find. Cardboard also absorbs moisture, making it particularly inviting in damp storage areas.

Do cockroaches eat cardboard?
Yes, they can feed on paper-based materials such as cardboard and starch-based adhesives, particularly when preferred food is scarce. Food residue such as grease on used packaging adds another attraction.

Can boxes also act as moving trucks for pests?
Yes, German Cockroaches can hitchhike in deliveries or when moving boxes from infested locations. Stored cardboard in damp basements or utility areas may also shelter American Cockroaches and Oriental Cockroaches.

Protect yourself from roaches:

• Inspect incoming boxes
• Unpack promptly
• Keep storage areas dry
• Check beneath shelving and other storage furniture
• Remove unnecessary cardboard rather than letting it accumulate
• Use tightly lidded plastic-, glass-, or metal containers for long-term storage

If you spot roaches, droppings, or egg cases around your cardboard, contact JP Pest Services for Cockroach Control Services.