Do Termites, Roaches, Ants, & Beetles Eat Cardboard?

Do Termites eat cardboard?

If it’s true, then can we use cardboard boxes as trap?

This article will surely provide you the answers which you’re looking.

Yes, Termites Eat Cardboard

Yes, termites eat cardboard boxes because it’s a source of cellulose on which they feed. Not only cardboard, firewood, lumber, newspaper, and their cellulose materials attract termites and provide a source of food. Therefore, you can say cardboard boxes attract termites.

If you want to know whether termites are eating cardboard or other wooden things, then check for the warning signs. Sand, gritty residue, which is a clear sign of destruction, warned by Albuquerque Journal.

According to the Louisiana State University, College of Agriculture, Termites can ride in the cardboard boxes, and can enter in your house, infest in the walls, attic, devouring your drywalls, and even thin sheets of lead.



How to make Cardboard Bait for Termites?

They love wood fiber which is present in cardboard and paper. You can make a cardboard termite trap with the help of it.

Simply break the boxes and wet them to soften the cardboard. Keep the wet layers of it stacked up near the infestation. The soft pulp of the cardboard will attract termites that are around. Some of them may feed upon the cellulose in it. Continue this for two to three days. When all the termites attack on the cardboard for the cellulose presents in it, burn the stack and kill them all. Seal the cracks or holes of your furniture to protect it. You can also use these homemade remedies to kill termites in future.

As now you know, termites get attract towards cardboards, so you can use household products like 20 Mule Team Borax to kill termites on cardboard boxes.

Do cockroaches eat cardboard?

Cockroaches are one of the most common types of insects who eat cardboard. There are many types of cockroaches like German, Oriental, American and brown-banded species, and all of these enjoy eating cardboard, books, and pictures in your home.

According to the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County that, they also like living on porous materials like cardboard, because they saturate them with their own scent secretions. These secretions attract other cockroaches because they prefer to live in groups and therefore you’ll find them all in one place.

These cockroaches carry disease germs and they spread allergic reactions to the people, that’s why they should be eliminated from your home.

Silverfish

Silverfish are no different than termites and cockroaches. They also prefer to live in warm and humid spaces in your home. They enjoy eating both components of cardboard, which includes starchy paper products and glue. According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, small silverfish are around the ¾ size of an inch in length and silver to brown in color, with bodies covered in scales.

They are most active at night. They are not harmful to people but can damage books, boxes etc.

Cardboard eating bugs and insects

According to the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, other insects like woodboring, drugstore, larder, hide or carpet beetles, cloth moths, and booklice, might occasionally nibble on cardboard. To prevent any cardboard eating bugs, keep books in sealed plastic bags. Get rid of boxes because these attract them and you’ll find bugs in cardboard, and clean your home regularly. When there will be no cardboard to eat for insects, you’ll find a decrease in their number.

Conclusion

We thought only termites eat cardboard, but now we knew the whole community is the same, because of the cellulose present in it.

Let us know, what you think about it?