Drugstore Beetle: All You Need to Know in a Nutshell

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The drugstore beetle (Stegobium paniceum) is a pesky little insect that can infest a wide range of stored products in our homes. Known for their ability to bore through packaging and cause damage to food or other valuable items, these beetles are a common issue for many homeowners. Spotting and identifying drugstore beetles early is crucial for preventing significant losses and further infestations.

Adult drugstore beetles have a distinct rounded profile, oval shape, and light-brown color, measuring about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long [1]. Their larvae are C-shaped grubs, creamy white in color and approximately 3/16 inch long [2]. One way to distinguish drugstore beetles from their close relative, the cigarette beetle, is by grooving on their wing covers and specific body features [1].

Identification of Drugstore Beetle

Physical Characteristics

The Drugstore Beetle is a small insect, measuring about 1/10 inch (2.5 mm) in length. It has a cylindrical shape and is uniformly brown in color, covered by fine silky dense hairs1. Some distinguishing features include:

  • Head not visible from above, creating a humpbacked appearance when seen from the side
  • Antennae with three enlarged segments at the end1

Comparison with Cigarette Beetle

Both Drugstore Beetles and Cigarette Beetles are small, light-brown insects often found in homes. However, there are some differences in their appearances to help tell them apart:

Feature Drugstore Beetle Cigarette Beetle
Size 1/10 inch (2.5 mm) 1/8 inch (2.0-3.7 mm)
Color Uniformly brown Light to dark brown
Wing Cover Lines of pits on their backs (wing covers) Smooth wing covers2
Antennae Three enlarged segments at the end1 Saw-like, same thickness2

Understanding the differences between the two beetles will help with accurate identification and control methods.

Life Cycle and Reproduction

Eggs

Drugstore beetles lay eggs in food sources where larvae can easily access their first meals. Females can lay 10 to 100 eggs in these areas. The eggs then hatch in about six to 10 days, releasing larvae to begin their development.

Larvae

Larvae of the drugstore beetle feed on a variety of dried foods and plants, depending on their environment. During this stage, they grow and molt. The larval stage lasts for about two months. After reaching full growth, larvae move on to the pupal phase.

Pupa

The pupa stage is a transition phase between the larval and adult stages. During this time, the larvae transform into adult drugstore beetles. The pupal phase takes around two weeks to complete.

The entire life cycle of a drugstore beetle is generally completed in 75 days, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and food availability.

Drugstore Beetle Life Cycle Comparison Table:

Stage Duration Details
Eggs 6-10 days Laid in food sources, hatch into larvae
Larvae Approximately 2 months Feed on dried foods and plants, grow and molt
Pupa Around 2 weeks Transition phase, metamorphosis from larvae to adult beetles
Adult Beetle N/A Can fly and reproduce, complete life cycle in 75 days

Feeding Habits and Habitat

Foods and Materials Affected

Drugstore beetles are known to consume a wide variety of food and materials. Some of these include:

  • Diet: These beetles feed on various food products, grains, and spices commonly found in your pantry.
  • Cereals: They tend to infest different types of cereals and other stored foods.
  • Leather: They can also consume leather, damaging shoes, clothes and other items.
  • Books: Interestingly, they can even attack and destroy books, as they chew through bindings and pages.
  • Cardboard: These insects can infest cardboard and paper products.
  • Dried plant material: Infestations may occur in dried flowers, leaves, and other plant materials.

Preferred Environment

Drugstore beetles are more commonly found in temperate regions but can survive in various environments due to their adaptable nature. Their preferred habitat can be characterized by:

  • Indoors: These beetles thrive in kitchens and pantries where their food sources are available.
  • Dark spaces: They tend to hide in dark corners, crevices, and confined spaces.
  • Humidity: They favor environments with moderate humidity, which helps them reproduce more efficiently.

While drugstore beetles can cause considerable damage to a variety of materials, keeping your living spaces clean and well-maintained can help prevent their infestations. Regularly inspecting and cleaning your pantry, as well as sealing food items in airtight containers, can minimize the risk of an infestation.

Signs of Infestation

Damage to Food and Materials

Drugstore beetles can cause damage to various household items, including food, spices, wool, hair, leather, and even dry pharmaceutical drugs. They have strong jaws that allow them to chew through wooden objects, books, tin, aluminum foil, and even lead 1.

  • Food damage: Infested grains, cereals, spices, and other foodstuffs show tiny holes and fine powdery residue.
  • Material damage: You may notice holes in materials like wool, leather, and book bindings, indicating a drugstore beetle infestation.

Visual Indicators

There are several visual indicators of a drugstore beetle infestation:

  • Adult beetles: They are small, oval-shaped, and light-brown, measuring about 1/16-1/8 inch long3.
  • Larvae: Drugstore beetle larvae are grub-like, C-shaped creatures, approximately 3/16 inch long, and have a creamy white color4.
  • Presence in cracks and crevices: Both adult beetles and larvae tend to hide in small spaces, so inspecting these areas can help identify an infestation.

During the larval stage, drugstore beetles create cocoons while feeding. These cocoons are another sign of infestation. Regular inspection of vulnerable food and material storage areas can help in early detection and control of these pests.

Prevention and Control Measures

Sanitation and Cleanup

Proper sanitation is crucial in preventing and controlling drugstore beetle infestations. A few recommendations can help eliminate the problem quickly:

  • Regularly inspect and clean pantry shelves.
  • Dispose of infested food products immediately.
  • Vacuum shelves and cracks to remove any larvae and eggs.

For example, if you notice drugstore beetles in a bag of flour, immediately throw away the entire flour bag and inspect nearby items for further infestation before thoroughly cleaning the area.

Proper Storage

Storing food items correctly can help prevent drugstore beetle infestations:

  • Purchase only sealed food packages without insect damage.
  • Use food within 2-4 months to avoid long storage periods1.
  • Store food items in airtight containers made of glass or sturdy plastic.

For instance, transferring cereals and grains from their original packaging to air-tight containers can significantly reduce the chances of attracting drugstore beetles.

Effective Treatment Options

Here are some treatment options for drugstore beetle infestations:

  • Pheromone traps: Lure and capture adult beetles with commercially available traps containing stegobinone3.
  • Freezing: Freeze infested food items in airtight bags at 0°F for four days to kill all life stages of the beetles.
  • Heating: Heat-treat infested items at 140°F for one hour to eliminate the beetles.
Treatment Option Pros Cons
Pheromone traps Non-toxic, easy-to-use Only targets adult beetles, not larvae or eggs
Freezing Chemical-free Requires freezer storage for several days
Heating Chemical-free Items must be heat-resistant

In summary, prevention and control of drugstore beetles rely on maintaining a clean and well-organized pantry or storage area, storing food items properly, and using appropriate treatment methods to eliminate infestations.

Safe and Natural Remedies

Diatomaceous Earth Application

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a popular, natural way to control drugstore beetles. Apply a thin layer of DE in affected areas to eliminate them. DE works by damaging the exoskeleton and causing dehydration. Some benefits of using DE are:

  • Non-toxic
  • Inexpensive
  • Long-lasting effect

However, DE may harm beneficial insects and can cause respiratory irritation if inhaled.

Freezing and Heat Treatment

Freezing and heat treatment are effective methods to control drugstore beetles. For freezing, place infested items in a sealed plastic or glass container and freeze at 0°F for at least 48 hours. For heat treatment, use temperatures above 120°F for 1 to 2 hours. A comparison of these methods:

Method Pros Cons
Freezing Non-toxic, cost-effective Requires freezer space
Heat Treatment Quick results Potential damage to items

Using Airtight Containers and Aluminum Foil

Prevention is the key to controlling drugstore beetles. Airtight containers and aluminum foil are effective ways to protect food items:

  • Airtight Containers: Store food in glass or thick plastic containers with tight-fitting lids.
  • Aluminum foil: Wrap food items in foil before storing in a cool, dry place.

These methods can keep drugstore beetles from entering and breeding in your stored food items.

Dealing with a Persistent Infestation

Professional Pest Control Assistance

If you’re struggling with a persistent drugstore beetle infestation, it may be time to seek professional help. Pest control experts have the necessary tools and knowledge to address the issue efficiently.

For example, they can:

  • Identify the source of the infestation.
  • Determine the extent of the problem.
  • Apply targeted treatments to eliminate the pests.

Moreover, professionals can provide guidance on preventing future infestations by advising on best practices such as proper food storage and sanitation. Consider comparing different pest control companies for their service offerings, rates, and customer reviews.

Pros of professional help:

  • Effective elimination of the infestation.
  • Access to expert advice and prevention techniques.

Cons of professional help:

  • Potential costs associated with services.

In conclusion, enlisting the assistance of pest control professionals can be advantageous for dealing with persistent drugstore beetle infestations. They can efficiently eliminate the issue and provide valuable advice for future prevention.

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Footnotes

  1. Drugstore Beetles | Home & Garden Information Center 2 3 4 5
  2. Cigarette Beetles | Home & Garden Information Center 2
  3. https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/insects/cigarette-and-drugstore-beetle/ 2
  4. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/drugstore-beetles/

 

Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

    View all posts
  • Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

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