A question about the side seal on those USPS Priority Mail boxes

[azarpdx]

Good morning.

I've got something of an oddball/overly specific question concerning those USPS Priority Mail boxes (in particular, the Medium Flat Rate box); is that "seam" which runs along the longest side tight enough to resist typical insect intrusion (usually silverfish, but possibly also ants)?

Thank you for taking the time to address my shipping inquiry!

[deserdog]

If in doubt, just cover the seam with a strip of tape.

[chevymontecarlo88]

With those boxes, i typically will place some tape there to help seal it. I also tape the top and bottom edges that are exposed. (have similar opening) 

I have received many packages (Flat rate boxes) and most do not have the extra tape that i do apply.

Never had an issue with infestation or water damage. 

[simba6]

You can't trust those peel and stick flaps.  I have had them pop back open while getting the end of a roll of tape unstuck.  I also have also received them with flaps open.  Always add extra tape to be sure.  You also have to tape over the corners to close any gaps if ants are a problem.

[pargran3]

Strange question.

Simple answer would be that there is not a cardboard box on earth that is impervious to insects.

It actually sounds like a problem waiting to happen. I have no clue how I would answer that question. I know that is not helpful, but the question makes no sense.

[itsjustasprain]

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@azarpdx wrote:

I've got something of an oddball/overly specific question concerning those USPS Priority Mail boxes (in particular, the Medium Flat Rate box); is that "seam" which runs along the longest side tight enough to resist typical insect intrusion (usually silverfish, but possibly also ants)?

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As you do not show any sales on your account I am going to assume that you had a purchase arrive with buggies in it. 

While a taped seam will keep anything out even folded flaps that are not taped usually close well enough. Plus if you are not shipping food or something like that it is not likely that any odors from inside the package would draw insects in. Its also not likely that the package spent much time sitting by itself exposed to bugs someplace along the way. It probably spent 99.9% of its time in a shipping container with tons of other packages - so the chances of some bug picking your package in particular to get into are really slim.

Most likely if a bug got into your package it got there via the sellers basement storage. Unpleasant but probably not permanently harmful to the item it was traveling with.

If it looks like this is not what happened then please give us more details.

[toysaver]

The older the box gets the more the glue of the seam shrinks possibly allowing bugs to infiltrate.  

[ms.rodriguez*]

If you are sending something that is sweet and will attract insects, then definitely tape ALL of the flaps.