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Drugstore and
Cigarette Beetles
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Small brown beetles that infest stored products -
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Summary:
These small brown beetles infest a wide variety of
stored foods and other natural products. When an
infestation is found the best approach is sanitation
followed by proper storage and stock rotation. Use
of insecticides should be reserved for only the
worst infestations.
Jack
DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext.
Entomologist (ret.)
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Drugstore and cigarette beetles
There are a couple of closely related
beetles, called the drugstore beetle
and the cigarette beetle, that infest food
products, spices, tobacco, natural fibers, dry pet
food and so forth and can cause considerable damage.
Both beetles belong in the family Anobiidae that
also includes beetles that damage wood such as
powderpost beetles.
The beetles do
not bite or cause other damage in homes but
can cause extensive loss in food storage areas if
not managed. It is the larval stage that does most
of the damage but the adult beetle is that stage
that is most often found crawling out in the open.
Both beetles are similar in size at
about 1/8" long,
and are light brown to reddish brown in
color (see top photo, right). Beetles are commonly
found crawling slowly on walls and floor near
infestations. Larvae of both beetles are also
similar (see lower photo, right) with a dark amber
head capsule and creme colored body that is often
bent into a "C" shape when feeding.
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Drugstore
beetle. Note size compared to
fingernail. Photograph by Kamran Iftikhar
(wikipedia.com).
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Fully grown cigarette
beetle larva (~1/4"). Note dark,
amber-colored head capsule.
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Control
Like other insects that attack stored
food products and natural fibers the best way to mange
these beetles is (1) to locate
the infestation and dispose of it, and (2) properly store food
to prevent infestation in the first place.
Empty cabinets and storage areas. Use a
vacuum cleaner to clean hard-to-reach areas and wipe
down surfaces with a mild detergent. Discard infested
packages and freeze the rest for a few days which
kills all stages of these pests.
Once cabinets and shelves are clean you
can treat cracks and crevices with a botanical
insecticide such as EcoExempt D or Pyganic Dust
(see Using
Botanical Pesticides and Purchase
Online) to control small larvae that might have
been missed in the cleaning. Return only pest-free
items into the clean storage areas.
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Other Pantry
Pests
How to Control
Meal Moths
How to
Control Dermestid Carpet Beetles
Safer
Plant-Based "Botanical" Insecticides
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Cleaner,
Safer,
Botanical (Organic) Pesticides For Home & Garden
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Store foods properly
Store susceptible foods only in heavy
plastic or glass
containers, not the thin plastic bags you get
at the supermarket. For foods that you might be stored
longer than 2 months, for example a bag of flour or
bird seed, you can freeze them in their packages for a
day or two to kill any small larvae or eggs.
Even unopened packaged foods such as
cereals and dried fruit can be infested with stored
product pests directly from the store. Most
importantly be sure to rotate stocks of stored food so
that individual items are not kept longer than
necessary. It is a good idea to mark
packages with a "purchase date". Finally,
don't forget to check stocks of dry pet food or areas
where kibbles might have spilled.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and
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mite problems around your home, business and landscape
using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD,
 , email:
[email protected]
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