Drugstore Beetles

Drugstore beetles are also known as the bread or biscuit beetle and closely resemble Cigarette beetles. The Drugstore Beetle is an external feeder. They migrate in infested food sources.

Drugstore Beetle Damage

Years ago, Drugstore Beetles were a major pest concern in pharmacies, feeding on herbs used in medicines. Today, it still feeds on drugs but also, many dry stored products such as cereal, breads, cookies, chocolates, sweets, seeds, grains, pet foods, spices, red pepper, flour, almost any food that they can find. They are considered omnivorous because they infest such a broad range of vegetable and animal products.

As an external feeder, they feed on the outside of the grain. They can damage whole grains or seeds. They may also devour the inside, after chewing the outer coating of the grain. They will also feed and damage non food items such as books, book bindings, wool, fur, leather and museum specimens. The Drugstore Beetle is a sturdy pantry pest; these beetles can perforate wood in order to get to a food source.

 

 

Drugstore Beetle Identification

The Drugstore beetles are about 1/10 to 1/8 inch long, cylindrical, and reddish brown. This beetle is close in resemblance to the Cigarette Beetle but does not have the hump back appearance. Also, the Drugstore Beetle has very distinct longitudinal line on the wings; the Cigarette Beetles do not have the same markings. The larvae is almost white in color, about 1/8 inch in length in a grub shape; looks like white maggots. Many times, you can see pinhead holes in the infested items. They attack the packaging materials such as paper and cardboard.

Drugstore Beetle	Cigarette Beetle

Life Cycle and Habits

The Drugstore Beetle is most common in warm climates or in heated structures, but can be found worldwide. These beetles crawl and fly. As with all beetles, it has an egg, larval, pupal, then adult stages. It can have between 1-4 generations, depending on the favorability of the surroundings.

The female Drugstore Beetle lays an average of 75 in her lifetime. They can lay between 23-114 eggs that hatch in 9 days. Humidity and varying temperatures influence the development time of larvae in infested food.

As the Cigarette Beetle, the Drugstore beetle can fly well; it may fly into the house through a window. The Drugstore Beetle is attracted to lights.

 

How to Detect A Drugstore Beetle Infestation

Drugstore Beetles feed on a broad range of food items. Inspection is a must. Look in stored food products. Seasonings and pet foods popular items for these beetles. Start with inspecting the least used products, but completely examine your pantry, including all seasonings, grains, cereals, pet foods, bird seed, ect. Use a magnifying glass and flashlight to help with inspection. Drugstore Beetles will fly in order to hunt for a food source to lay their eggs. They are strong survivors and will lay their eggs in any adequate food source, which is a broad range of materials. You may go through a couple cycles before finding the resourcing of these populations.

Control Treatment Plans-How to Get Rid Of Drugstore Beetles

Inspect and Discard: First investigate the infested items and discard them. Every item from the categories listed above needs to be checked. If you find these beetles in your pantry, check the flours, grains, cookies, beans, spices, pet foods, etc. Look for larvae that looks like a white grub. If an item passes inspection, it is a good idea to seal it up in an air-tight container. Drugstore Beetles migrate to new materials quickly, so a complete inspection is critical. Don't forget to check the dry flower arrangements and any art work that has dried natural foods or plants.

Clean and Vacuum: Vacuum and clean shelves thoroughly. Pay attention to cracks and crevices and under your shelves, and around wire shelving.

Use Pheromone Traps: These traps have a sex pheromone in order to catch and trap male drugstore beetles. They will also attract male moths. Place only a couple of traps in the kitchen or pantry. We recommend the Invite Multi-Insect Lure. The Pantry Patrol Trap is not labeled for Drugstore Beetles.

Use Insecticide Aerosols: This is to be done after cleaning and before placing the foodstuffs back on the shelves. They will help prevent furture infestations in the cracks and crevices. For larger areas, use insecticide concentrations, such as D-Fense SC. Top recommended aerosols are Alpine PT or Phantom Aerosols.

Guidelines To Get Rid of Drugstore Beetles.