Is there a problem storing paper or cardboard in the garage?
 

I once saw a post where the individual stated that you should not store paper or cardboard in the garage. Can people tell if that is a real problem and if so why.

We will be moving to TV in March and wish to know what to look out for. We would rather learn from others experiences rather than finding out the hard way.

If you have any other words of advice for two (soon to be) newbies, I would appreciate it! Thanks all!!!

Silverfish like cardboard.

It’s not just a Florida thing. I was a teacher in Ohio. The maintenance worker told me to store everything in plastic tubs. Cockroaches love the glue in cardboard boxes. I did that and never had a bug.
Store staple in your pantry in glass jars.
Sell everything in your home state…don’t move northern furniture south. It is too dark, heavy and generally doesn’t fit the Florida lifestyle. Bring your minimalist self…
Just don’t shop City Furniture

I have had items in cardboard boxes in my garage for over a decade with no problems. It is true that cockroaches AKA palmetto bugs will munch on paper/glue but that is true for those that get into your home as well as those in your garage.

But what do I know, I even have some dark furniture which fits my Florida lifestyle just fine.

True. Cockroaches love cardboard boxes. We've learned that.

Paper and cardboard products seem to deteriorate faster in the garage, I suspect the high humidity is the problem.

You can store cardboard and paper in the garage, as long as it's contained. You can buy long plastic bins that stack and even some that have wheels to roll under a bed. Just make sure the covers are air-tight.

As for northern furniture, don't listen to people who tell you how to decorate your own home. You're the one who has to live in it, not them. If you like dark furniture and have some really nice pieces, bring'em. My house is mostly antique furniture, mostly wood, mostly dark, with a few lighter oak pieces for contrast. What I need to do, is paint the walls white. Whatever idiot designer in The Villages thinks "beige" is a good wall color needs to be shot.

For sure don't shop at City Furniture ! ! But might add, to the advice. Many will advise not to bring your furniture, and for some, excellent advice. But remember, YOU may differ greatly from others. Some things to consider: you may not be an individual who is into the latest trends or has a need to adopt the predominate "style"of the area you move to. Many can't wait to shop for "coastal" furniture, but have no idea how dis-interesting it can get to see that all your friends and neighbors have relatively the same furniture; much of it from the same limited number of close stores. For others, that "Florida look" they have always desired after years of vacationing in Florida condos, may be exactly what they want. One thing for sure, if you have genuine wood (solid oak, pecan, walnut, etc.) furniture made in the Carolina's with exceptional details (dove tail joints, no staples, etc.), you already know you will never be able to purchase such workmanship again no matter what you are willing to pay. And one more tip, although not made in the USA, large, dark, "heavy" look/design furniture is found in Florida. Granted, in the conclaves of the wealthy in south Florida, as well as the wealthier communities around Orlando. The coastal/beach/resort style, which I personally like, is much more popular in the villages and beach resorts, than in many other communities. The bottom line is, only YOU can analyze what makes you comfortable. Some want their new homes to have the "feel of home" they left behind. Some look forward to leaving the forever. Think it over carefully.

Yes - great place for roaches to establish a home and family

Another piece of advice would be to bring some cold weather clothing like turtle necks, hats, gloves and coat. TV does get some cold, even freezing weather. It's not too frequent, but you'll be happy to be able to bundle up when necessary. Also be mindful of picking landscaping choices that fit our temperature ranges, or be ready to cover them up during hard freezes if you want to save plants that are not hardy.
Enjoy your move to retirement heaven!

Having worked in the paper industry for years, corrugated boxes will naturally deteriorate over time no matter what the environment, but rather more quickly in higher heat. It may be a new fact to most, but chemical reactions in paper continue to occur long after the paper leaves the paper making machine. It is a natural phenomenon. As paper, particularly corrugated paper products age, the fluted medium is the first to degrade because of its chemical characteristics. This causes the paper to dramatically lose strength and give the appearance of crumbling. The crumbling exposes more of the starch-based adhesive which holds the layers of paper together. It is the starch adhesive that various insects thrive on.

I love being able to get such valuable advice from everyone. It is so kind!

We still have so much still to do and it is very stressful. Selling our home in CT and wrapping up our jobs here. I know we are making a good choice to come to TV but still sometimes worries sneak in there. I found comfort and gladness in hearing your comment, "Enjoy your move to retirement heaven!" It is people like you who gave us the courage and hope to move there.

I can't even imagine being retired after working so hard to get to this place in my life and doing all that we needed to do this past year. From constant work to finally getting to relax seems like only a dream at the moment! : )

Thank you for your kind words!

One last thing. I see that people get THank you's that get tracked? How does one give a "Thank you" officially (so it gets counted)?

The concern about cardboard/paper containers used in one's garage isn't in regards to insects or pests. Rather, the rationale can easily be found in the ARC manual as of the 2021 16.3 revision, page 227 paragraph 3. It states that the proper application of this rule is based on 2 things. The house approach orientation to the street (being either parallel or angular). And, your overall garage organization factor (scale of 1 to 5 with 4 and 5 being preferred and most organized). Cardboard/paper storage vessels are permitted for use when your house's orientation is angular, and your factor is in the preferred range, but you also must not have the garage overhead door open in excess of 2 hours per day. Hope this helps. (only joking....roaches are the concern)

Cardboard Boxes
 

Always best to store things in plastic bins. Bugs do like the glue, that includes ants.

The one thing I’ve seen from the many houses we looked at when buying ours and the numerous estate sales is people tend to bring or buy furniture that is too large for these style houses. Many houses we’ve seen just look cluttered.

Cardboard absorbs the humidity and breaks down.