Many businesses take care of cleanliness, waste management, and regular inspections — but a crucial factor is often overlooked: pests often do not come from outside but are introduced via packaging, deliveries, and logistics processes.
Especially cartons, pallets, returns, and goods deliveries are considered one of the largest but least noticed transmission routes.
In this article, you will learn why packaging material is so vulnerable, which pests travel most frequently, and how companies can protect themselves effectively.
Why packaging is an ideal transport route for pests
1. Cardboard is a perfect habitat
Cardboard consists of organic material — ideal for:
- Silverfish
- Carpet beetles
- Paper silverfish
- Moth larvae
In damp warehouses or transport vehicles, cartons quickly start to “work” and literally attract pests.
2. Pallets & transport crates come from many sources
Wooden pallets & crates are an underestimated risk:
- Cracks & cavities provide perfect nesting sites
- They are often reused multiple times
- Countries of origin can introduce different pest species
Typical pests:
Wood beetles, woodlice, ants, spiders, even mice.
3. Returns are risk factor number 1
Returned goods come from:
- Households
- Cellars
- Garages
- Operating rooms
This increases the risk for:
- moth infestation in textiles
- silverfish in paper goods
- beetles in cartons
- spores & mold in packaging
Many companies insufficiently check returns — thus spreading pests further into the warehouse.
4. Moisture during transport & storage
Damp vehicles, wet loading ramps, or condensation lead to:
- mold infestation
- Silverfish
- fungus beetles
- Woodlice
Just a few hours of moisture can be enough to attract pests.
5. International supply chains increase the risk
The longer the supply chain, the greater the risk:
- different hygiene standards
- introduced species
- uncontrolled interim storage
- hidden pests in wood or cardboard
Examples:
Cockroaches in overseas containers, moths in textile shipments, ants in wooden packaging.
Which pests travel especially often with packaging?
-
Silverfish & paperfish
→ love damp cartons & paper goods -
Clothes moths & pantry moths
→ often in returns & stock -
Carpet beetles
→ typical infestation due to moisture -
Ants & spiders
→ in pallets & crates -
Cockroaches
→ often travel unnoticed in overseas containers -
Rodents
→ in transport vehicles, warehouses & intermediate spaces
How companies effectively protect themselves from introductions
✔ 1. Establish incoming goods inspection
A must for every delivery:
- Check boxes
- Inspect pallets
- Open & inspect packaging
- Document pests or traces
✔ 2. Never store boxes directly on the floor
Always on:
- Rust
- Shelves
- Pallets
Floor storage creates ideal conditions for moisture & rodents.
✔ 3. Check returns separately
- isolated area
- Individual inspection of packaging
- Immediately separate infested goods
✔ 4. Use professional monitoring
Recommended:
- Sticky traps at goods receiving
- Monitoring cards in storage areas
- UV fly traps near loading ramps
- Rodent bait stations outdoors
✔ 5. Regularly inspect wooden pallets
Ideal: Switch to plastic pallets in sensitive goods areas.
✔ 6. Control moisture
- Ensure ventilation
- Fix leaks
- Keep transport vehicles dry
- Use moisture meter
✔️ Conclusion
Pests often do not enter businesses from outside, but are brought in via packaging, boxes, pallets, and returns.
Ignoring this factor risks widespread problems in storage and sensitive operational areas.
With clear processes, trained personnel, and professional monitoring, companies can drastically reduce the risk — and stop pests before they spread.
