Summary: Learn how to check your Black Friday and Cyber Monday deliveries for pests and prevent infestations this holiday season.
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Online deals bring excitement, but they can also bring a few hidden surprises. Pests often use the same supply chains as our favorite gifts, sneaking into warehouses, trucks, and packaging materials.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday packages piling up, your home becomes a revolving door for deliveries. That convenience can make it easier for small invaders to slip in unnoticed, especially when you’re focused on unboxing rather than inspecting.
A few simple inspection habits can protect your home from unwanted guests. Here’s how to recognize and prevent pests in packages before they make themselves at home.
Why Boxes Invite Hitchhikers
Cardboard absorbs moisture and scents, creating the perfect shelter for insects during long transport. Pallets and trucks are often shared between vendors, so one shipment with a minor pest issue can quickly spread the problem to others.
Boxes stored in dark corners or damp basements can attract silverfish and cockroaches, especially when left stacked for weeks. These pests see corrugated cardboard as both a home and a food source.
When deliveries sit outside or in your garage, they become easy access points for pests looking for warmth. Opening and disposing of packaging quickly can help cut off these hiding spots before bugs can settle in.
Meet The Usual Stowaways
Several common pests are known to ride along with your packages. Understanding what they look like and how they behave can help you identify them fast.
While some may only cause minor annoyance, others can lead to serious contamination or structural issues if ignored. Even a single roach can lay egg cases that multiply rapidly once indoors.
Be sure to check for these signs when unpacking holiday deliveries:
- Silverfish: tiny, fast-moving insects that feed on paper, glue, and fabric.
- Cockroaches: often hide in creases of cardboard; look for droppings or egg cases.
- Pantry moths and beetles: can arrive in dry food shipments, leaving fine powder or pinholes in packaging.
- Spiders or earwigs: may hide in crumpled filler or packing material.
If you notice movement, droppings, or shed skins inside a box, remove it from the home immediately. Even one contaminated shipment can spread pests quickly.
How To Inspect Deliveries
Inspecting packages before bringing them inside is one of the best steps in holiday pest prevention. It takes less than a minute and can prevent weeks of frustration later.
When deliveries arrive, look over the exterior for signs of damage, dampness, or holes. These are all clues that a pest may have found its way in during shipping.
Follow these quick inspection tips:
- Open boxes outdoors or in your garage to avoid letting pests escape inside.
- Check corners, seams, and tape edges for webbing, droppings, or small insects.
- Discard packing paper and cardboard immediately after unpacking.
- Store dry goods and pet food in sealed containers rather than their original packaging.
Once you’ve unpacked, wipe down the area to remove debris. Consistency matters — making inspection a habit keeps your home pest-free all season.
What To Do If You Find Activity
If you see bugs moving inside a box, do not panic. Seal the package in a trash bag, move it outside, and keep it away from living spaces. Avoid spraying chemicals that could contaminate your items or air.
Examine the contents carefully. Clean non-food items with a mild disinfectant, wash soft goods on high heat, and discard anything visibly infested. If you keep seeing pests, professional pest control may be needed to ensure they do not spread.
Storage Habits That Stop Reinfestation
Proper storage is key to stopping recurring pest issues. Instead of reusing shipping boxes for storage, switch to plastic bins with tight lids.
Organize your shelves and rotate older items to the front. This keeps your space clean and reduces hiding spots for insects or rodents.
Vacuum and wipe pantry shelves regularly to remove crumbs and food dust. Over time, this simple routine drastically reduces the chance of pests returning.
Local Help When Packages Bring Pests
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, a hidden pest makes it through. If that happens, professional help ensures your home stays safe and clean during the holiday season.
Pointe Pest Control provides thorough inspections and treatment plans tailored to St. Louis homes. Visit our residential pest control page or contact us to schedule a visit today.
With preventive care and expert service, you can enjoy every delivery knowing your home is protected from pests. Enjoy a pest-free holiday season with Pointe!
Citations
How to avoid shipping pests directly to your home. (2020, December 2). Pest World. Retrieved November 10, 2025, from https://www.pestworld.org/multimedia-center/press-releases/how-to-avoid-shipping-pests-directly-to-your-home/
